Gal 5:2

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The Epistle to the Galatians
The Tragedy of Legalism Galatians 52-4

• Gal 52 NKJV Indeed I, Paul, say to you that
  if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you
  nothing.
• Indeed I more than a soft touch of emphasis
  here
• Also in II Cor 101, Col 123, Eph 31, I Thess
  218
• Now, notice the tense of the verb language to
  follow
• if you become circumcised 3rd class present
  passive subjunctive
• You may be likely in the future to become
  circumcised
• Christ will profit you nothing future active
  indicative
• Are we talking about becoming saved here or
  living the life
• Acts 151 and/or Gal 52?
• Either way justification by/of works, and
  justification by/of faith are like oil and water
  they cannot stand together
• Compare this to the many views of baptism in
  churches today.

Sept 5, 2010 Bob Eckel
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The Epistle to the Galatians
The Tragedy of Legalism Galatians 52-4

• Gal 221 -I do not set aside the grace of God
  for if righteousness comes through the law, then
  Christ died in vain.
• Heb 42 For indeed the gospel was preached to
  us as well as to them but the word which they
  heard did not profit them, not being mixed with
  faith in those who heard it.
• Paul is not condemning circumcision, e.g.
  Timothy, so he could enter the Jewish synagogues
  Acts 161-3
• He is condemning the thinking that any sort of
  rite could gain a person a standing with God
• Gal 53 NKJV And I testify again to every man
  who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to
  keep the whole law.
• Again, Paul assumes a position of authority
  strong language
• If you take this path, youve got a big task
  ahead of you
• Lets look at James 210, Gal 310

Sept 5, 2010 Bob Eckel
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The Epistle to the Galatians
The Tragedy of Legalism Galatians 52-4

• Rom 44 Now to him who works, the wages are not
  counted as grace but as debt.
• And we are totally free from the Law
• Its condemnation
• Its manner of receiving Gods blessing
• Obedience to its statutes
• debtor one who is bound, i.e. to a contract
• We too are debtors but not to the flesh Rom
  89-14
• Gal 54 NKJV You have become estranged from
  Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law
  you have fallen from grace.
• Notice how being under law for our justification
  makes Christ become of no effect or estranged or
  made void to us.
• What does it mean to have fallen from grace?
• Aorist active indicative
• In context it has nothing to do with those who
  have performed horrendous sins, but those who are
  doing their best to be good.

Sept 5, 2010 Bob Eckel
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The Epistle to the Galatians
The Tragedy of Legalism Galatians 52-4

• This is not an abandonment of morals but doctrine
• The Galatian error Gal 16, 33
• But Christ is the end of the Law for everyone
  that believes
• Rom 103,4 Rom 116
• The concept of works vs. faith Rom 44,5
• Merryman It is impossible for a believer to
  fall out of grace (i.e. to lose his salvation)
  it is possible for him to fall away from
  grace-provision for successful Christian living.
• How do you know whether or not you are living by
  grace or by law?
• What are the metrics?
• KEEP LOOKING DOWN!

Sept 5, 2010 Bob Eckel
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