T.O.D. taught from the epistles of Paul at Paran Baptist Church on Highway 341 / Johnsonville Hwy in Lake City, South Carolina. This commentary is based on the notes he wrote in preparation for the lessons.
The author was licensed to preach the Gospel by Paran on May 26, 1979. He has been a student of Scripture since 1972. He was an art teacher for over 30 years in Florence School District 3.
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Johnston, T.O.D.
A Layman's Commentary on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle Volume 3 – Galatians through Philemon/Religious Non-fiction
1st Edition 2013
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Dedication:
Dedicated for knowledge, understanding, and inspiration as we seek to follow Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.
After reading many scholarly commentaries on different books of Scripture, it became my mental habit to sift through the minute discussions of individual words and/or phrases, and the quoting of various scholars of the past of many differing opinions, and center on the most logical and inspirational truths that remained. Thus I relied on the studied scholarship of those who had learned the original languages and had read all the previous scholars that had written to get the best possible understanding of Scripture that I, as a non-scholar, could. It seemed that most church members would not attempt to read scholarly works - but would benefit from their knowledge if presented in a plain and straightforward manner, the truths they had perceived. The following commentary is my attempt to do this. May God bless my efforts to the extent that they increase the understanding and faith of the reader.
T.O.D. Johnston
2005
The setting of this epistle describes the situation of the beginning church. The apostles and majority of disciples were Jews, including Paul himself. As the Gospel was spreading out and among Gentiles there were some believers formerly Jewish (called Judaisers) that continued to demand circumcision of converts to Christ. This pretty much ceased after the destruction of Israel as a nation by Titus in 70 A.D. In the churches of Galatia some of these Jews had been trying, with some success, to convince these believers that their instruction had been imperfect and incomplete.
They claimed authority of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. This undermined Paul's ministry among the Gentile churches and called into question the authority and fidelity of his conversion. It also denied that he had met with the apostles in Jerusalem over the very issue and they had agreed with what he had been preaching among the Gentiles, which maintained their liberty from the rites and laws of the Jewish religion. This liberty was also true for Jewish converts, that they also are justified by faith through Christ and no longer under the Law (as by works to earn salvation). Paul also mentions his confrontation with Peter at Jerusalem and the importance and result.
Galatia was a part of ancient Phrygia, in Asia Minor. At this time, it was a Roman colony with an appointed governor (propraetor). To the east is Cappadoria, to the west, Bethynia, to the south Pamphylia, on the north by the Enxine Sea. The Acts mention Paul visiting this area twice (6:6 about 53 A.D., 18:23 about 56 A.D.) It is generally accepted that Paul was the first to preach the Gospel in that area (Galatians 1:6, 4:13). Among those converted were Jews that continued to observe the Jewish laws. After Paul's departure, these Judaizers sought to impose their practices on all converts to Christianity, thus Paul's concern expressed in this epistle.
This issue had to be settled and put behind them, as well as in all the other churches. Justification is by faith alone, not by works. Christians are called upon to do everything as unto God's glory, and the benefit of the brethren.
Chapter 1. Paul's Unique Call to Be Apostle to the Gentiles
Salutation
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 and all the brethren which are with me.
¶ Unto the churches of Galatia:
3 ¶ Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
There Is No Other Gospel
6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Paul's Ministry of the True Gospel
11 ¶ But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 and profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 ¶ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterward I came into the regions of Syria and Cili'cia;
22 and was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:
23 but they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
Verse 1.
Paul was called by Jesus Christ in person, as from the Father who raised Him from the dead, to preach especially to the Gentiles as was always in God's plan. (Acts 22:14,15.) No human being or organization had any part in it.
Verse 2.
This message includes the love and concern of all Paul's fellow laborers in the Gospel (the brethren). This is addressed to all groups of believers (churches) of this geographical area, all judged to be in the same general situation.
Verse 3.
The most favored Christian greeting: grace and peace from the Father and the Son. The most blessed things that God offers and freely gives to those that believe.
Verse 4.
This was made possible by the gift of Christ's sacrifice for our sins, as according to God's will and plan. The purpose – to "deliver us from this present evil world". This includes all distracting and destructive influences being recognized and rejected. The rites and works of the Jewish religion are in this category. All were fulfilled in and by Jesus, according to God's will.
Verse 5.
To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Verse 6.
Paul expresses his surprise that these believers have so soon put aside the doctrine of Grace and taken up another 'gospel'. This from the influences of certain people's ideas, most specifically the works of the Jewish law. It is not accurately 'another gospel' but a perverse teaching, though those that teach it claim they know and practice the truth.
Verse 7.
These people call their opinion an alternative, which it is not. It is not 'good news' of forgiveness but a burden of works, which perverts the grace and peace of the Gospel of Christ.
Verse 8.
The Gospel that Paul preached to them was and remains the true and only one. They must stand in it, and judge any other as false. And this even if Paul, himself, or an angel from heaven, or any other person preach any other, 'let him be accursed.' Some false teachers of the time claimed some private message from an angel. They will be cursed of God and must be avoided. These people add to or take away from the true message of God's revelation to men through His Son.
Verse 9.
To make certain of the seriousness of this stand, Paul reemphasized the threat and serious danger of turning from the true Gospel the first received. Any such person must be disregarded, and not allowed in the church. That person is accursed. To not reject such a person and their doctrine risks their (the church members) own degradation and participating in the accompanying curse from God.
Verse 10.
Paul refers to the only two motives possible for his actions. To please or persuade men or God. At one time he did seek to please men as a persecutor of the Christians. If he was still doing that, he would not be serving Christ.
Verse 11.
It is now certain and final that the Gospel that he preached to them had no human author or doctrine.
Verse 12.
No man told or taught him this message. Christ revealed it to him after His death and resurrection.
Verse 13.
He assumes that they have heard the story of his earlier life as a devout Jew who zealously persecuted the Church (Acts 9:1,2; 22:4). The Jews he is addressing are those who would have heard this. He is describing this former zeal he had as being 'beyond measure' and destructive.
Verse 14.
He also considered himself as more dedicated in speech and action according to the traditions of the fathers (a pharisee) than the great majority of his Jewish contemporaries.
Verse 15.
Paul here acknowledges God as Creator of all life in the universe and his own in particular. God's plan for his life started with his conception and birth, then his rebirth in God's calling him by His grace, changing him from persecutor to preacher.
Verse 16.
God's purpose was for Paul to know His Son, Jesus Christ – the risen Savior – and spread His Gospel among the Gentiles, the heathen. Paul was immediately and completely convinced of his calling, so, there remained no reason to confer with any human being.
Verse 17.
He also saw no reason to go up to Jerusalem and confer or seek approval of the apostles, for the same reason. When the majority of believers had scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, the apostles were left unmolested in Jerusalem during this time (Acts 3:1). Paul continued his journey into Arabia near Damascus, where he later returned. Since Luke was not with him at this time, there is no mention of this journey in Acts.
Verse 18.
A period of 3 years passed, and then Paul went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter, and stayed with him 15 days. Unfortunately for us, there is no record of their conversations. Paul was accepted as an equal in the Lord.
Verse 19.
Among the apostles, Paul only saw James, the Lord's brother. James, the brother of John, had been killed (Acts 12:2) much earlier.
Verse 20.
Paul's point was that he went, not to learn the Gospel or seek approval or a commission from the assembly of apostles there. God is his witness to this true account.
Verse 21.
From Jerusalem, Paul journeyed to Syria and Cilicia (Acts 9:30).
Verse 22.
Paul had no acquaintance and was not known by any of the Churches in Judea. They had never seen his face.
Verse 23.
All they knew about him was that he had formerly been persecuting Christians and seeking their destruction, and now he was preaching that faith. Obviously this was such an unexpected and dramatic about face that it was widely spoken of.
Verse 24.
The also obvious and correct credit for this change was what God had done in him. God alone deserved the credit and was glorified for this.
A great deal of Paul's concern is to make clear that this call, his commission, his conversation, his every action is from God and not from any human being, group, or worldly concern. He is God's servant alone. He knew the danger of mixing the two – trying to please both God and man always leads to destruction.
Next, Paul relates his much later trip to Jerusalem and what took place in meeting with the apostles.
Galatians chapter 2.
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 and that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of those who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person: ) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 but contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles;)
9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Paul Rebukes Peter at Antioch
11 ¶ But when Peter was come to An'ti-och, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Verse 1.
The 14 years mentioned were from Paul's conversion (33 A.D.), his visit with Peter (36 A.D.) and the council of Jerusalem (52 A.D.). This chronology is also recorded by Luke in Acts (11:30). Barnabas and Titus also were with Paul on this trip.
Verse 2.
That he went up by revelation could mean that he was directed by God to go at this particular time, or that he felt duty-bound to explain that his call to preach Christ among the Gentiles, and that the Jerusalem leaders would understand and accept his ministry as a genuine work of God in the spreading of the Gospel of His Son. He met with the most eminent men 'privately'. In this way, his direct testimony would be heard without interruption, as opposed to a mixed gathering where opinion and rumors, and spurious questions would cause only disputing and confusion. This could make it appear that Paul's ministry was not truly spiritual, but vain. This must be avoided.
Verse 3.
After meeting with these apostles, the result was acceptance of Paul's ministry to the point that they didn't insist on circumcision of the Gentile converts, but also did not require Paul's present companion, Titus (a Greek), to be circumcised.
Verse 4.
The problem was that some of the Judaizers were present in the assembly 'to spy out our liberty' in the Gospel preached to the Gentiles. Their purpose was to better plan ways to oppose him, to require all converts to be circumcised and follow the Law. Paul labels this as being brought into bondage, reverting to salvation by works, thus subverting the free gift of God in Christ. This must be avoided, period.
Verse 5.
At no time did he give in – 'no, not for an hour.' His ministry was from God, blessed by God, and true as he preached it to the Gentiles. Therefore, they may continue in that truth, and they are equally Christians with the Jews, without the Jewish law.
Verse 6.
In the conferences with those 'who seemed