Old Doxoblogy: Galatians 5:16-26

Monday, June 12, 2006

Galatians 5:16-26

Introduction: In these verses Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. He begins by showing a battle that we all must fight, moves on to introduce the armies, shows the battle plan, and finally adds a warning against a deadly trap of the enemy.

I. A Battle Worth Fighting verses 16-18

A. The Goal verse 16
1. Walk by the Spirit...
2. ...so as not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
B. The Problem verse 17
1. The flesh and the Spirit are opposed to one another
a. Not as in Gnosticism
b. Desires are different
2. Our internal conflict
C. An Unlikely Incentive verse 18
1. The one who is spiritual...
2. ...is not under law.

II. The Works Of The Flesh verses 19-21

A. The Laundry List
1. Adultery
2. Fornication
3. Uncleanness (state of being)
4. Lewdness (active uncleanness)
5. Idolatry
6. Sorcery
7. Hatred
8. Contentions (arguing)
9. Jealousies
10. Outbursts of wrath
11. Selfish ambitions
12. Dissensions (divisions over nothing)
13. Heresies (divisions over doctrine)
14. Envy
15. Murders
16. Drunkenness
17. Revelries
B. Their Condemnation

III. The Fruit Of The Spirit verses 22-23

A. Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

B. Their Commendation

IV. A Resolution verses 24-25

A. We Belong To Christ
B. We Are Dead 1 Peter 4:1-6, Romans 8:1-11
1. Fleshly passions
2. Fleshly desires
C. Yet We Live verses 2:19-20
1. Since we live in the Spirit...
2. ...we should walk in the Spirit

V. A Final Warning verse 26

A. Against Conceit

B. Against Contention

C. Against Envy

Conclusion: We have died to the law and sin, and now we live by the power of the Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead has raised us from our death, not to live in the flesh, but by the power of the Spirit.
So live like those who are dead...dead to fleshly passions and lusts, and as those who are alive...alive by the Spirit and created for good works. This is our duty and our delight.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: I am wondering what you believe the condemnation is in this passage.

Could you elaborate please?; 7:21 PM
Jeremy Weaver said...: Anonymous,

Paul tells the Galatians, "I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:21 ESV)

The condemnation of such practices is inherent in the way Paul speaks about them. They are warned against, and they are weights which will keep one from inheriting the Kingdom of God. As Protestants we do not believe in Purgatory, since it is not spoken of in Scripture, so there is only one other viable meaning. Those who do not inherit the Kingdom are found to be outside of the Kingdom, and those who are outside of the Kingdom are destined to hell.

I would say that is a pretty strong condemnation of such actions and warning to those who would act them out.; 7:35 PM
Antonio said...: Hey Jeremy, It was I who was the anonymous on my wifes computer.

Does not your argument provide a "false dillemma" for you imply that there are only two options, when in fact there are several?

As far as any Greek lexicon I have ever viewed, notwithstanding all English dictionaries I have consulted, there stands a great gulf of difference between the ideas of "inherit" and "enter".

It is clear and plain reasoning to see the difference between merely living in a house and owning it or ruling over a city and being a mere citizen there.

Furthermore, let us take a parallel passage, for instance:

1 Cor 6:7-11
8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
NKJV

Notice the verb "do wrong". This is the Greek verb for unrighteous activity, unrighteousness. The Corinthian Christians were "doing unrighteousness" and this to their Christian brothers! The next part serves as a warning to the Christian readers in Corinth! After charging them with "doing unrighteousness", Paul says that "unrighteous" (anarthrous construction) will not inherit the kingdom of God, using the same Greek word in its noun for for "unrighteous".

If inherit = enter in this passage, the warning to the Corinthian Christians who were "doing unrighteousness" would be of no effect, for they are Christians and guaranteed heaven.

The warning would be effective if heaven was attained by works, though, as is the force of which in Traditionalist thought.

Inheriting the kingdom is based on perseverance in faith and faithfulness, while merely entering and seeing the kingdom is based upon faith alone in Christ alone.

Have a nice evening,

Antonio; 12:49 AM