Senior Class Notes – May 17, 2020 – Toonigh Baptist Church

Spring 2020 Unit 3 Session 4 – Serve – Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-5, 10; PSG p. 132 – 141.

May 17, 2020

The Point: Seize the opportunity to serve.

Inspirational verse: “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” (John 12:26)

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Key Words: The flesh – This term can refer to the human body, but most often in Paul’s writings it denotes the sin nature. The person who lives according to the flesh is living a life that is contrary to and opposed to God (PSG p. 134). Liberty (Greek eleutheria) (Rom. 8:21; 1 Cor. 10:29; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16): This word is most likely a form of the word for “come.” In a civil sense it refers to a person freed from slavery, restraint, and obligation. This is someone who is not controlled by anyone or anything. Metaphorically, which is how Paul usually uses the word, it refers to the freedom believers have in Christ. We are no longer bound by legalistic rituals but rather are free to serve God in a variety of ways (KJVWSB). Liberty: Christian liberty is the freedom to serve one another in love (vv. 5-6). As we grow in our knowledge of the Word of God, understand and apply its meaning, we should increasingly be involved in serving God and our fellow believers. The Spirit of God has given us spiritual gifts, but those gifts are worthless unless they are used in the service of God and His church. Paul often uses the figure of the human body to show the importance of each part serving the others (Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-31). While some parts of the body have more prominent places of service than others, all are equally important. To maintain strength, health, and vitality, every part of the body must function and serve all the other parts of the body. This is also true of the spiritual or new life. We will grow in the new life, become strong, and maintain good spiritual health as we use the talents and abilities that God has given us to meet the needs of the other parts of the body (KJVFSB). Paul expressed concern about the behavioral opposite of bondage: Licentiousness (an occasion to the flesh) – [lacking legal or moral restraints; especially: disregarding sexual restraints (MWCD)]. The “flesh” is usually understood as the sinful nature of mankind that continues even after a person becomes a Christian. When the desire of the flesh has the upper hand, the works of the flesh are obvious (Gal. 5:19). Paul’s point is that this type of behavior as a pattern of life is evidence that a person is not saved. He also expanded his initial reference to love (v. 6). While it is foolish to become “entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (v.1) in trying to keep the law, it is right to be servants to other believers “by love” (KJV). In contrast to Paul’s feelings toward the Judaizers, he tenderly implores the Galatians to remain free but not to misuse their “liberty” (freedom). It would be quite natural for some people, after hearing someone repeatedly emphasize that following the law is not what God expects, to go to the other extreme and ignore all spiritual rules (antinomianism). But Paul immediately clarifies himself and challenges the Galatians to celebrate their liberty by serving and loving one another (KJVCRSB). Having shown freedom from the law to be proper protection against legalism (vv. 1-12), Paul now demonstrates it to be a proper antidote against unrestrained license to sin (vv. 13-26). Believers are not to abuse their liberty from the law for an occasion [opportunity] to the flesh (sinful nature). That is, don’t think freedom from the law means you can indulge in sin; it means instead that you are free to serve God by serving one another (KJSB). Christian liberty must not become license “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 4). The freedom we have in Christ should not be used to satisfy the flesh. Instead, we should use our freedom as an opportunity to serve one another, to care for others rather than satisfy our base desires (KJVTSB). Our redeemer frees us to serve one another. We are saved to serve (NIVJSB). We are free in Christ, but we do not have license to sin because it no longer fits who we are as children of God. Rather, we have been set free from every encumbrance to become who He created us to be – those who build up and encourage others through creative, Spirit-led ministries. Why would anyone who truly loves Jesus want to use his or her cross-bought freedom to do anything that disgraces His name? (CFSLPB).

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. In this context, Paul’s reference to “all the law” means more than just a list of dos and don’ts. Rather, it is the entirety of the spirit, intention, and direction of all the commandments of God. As strongly as Paul had just stressed that the law is not the means of justification, it is interesting to note how much he continues to value it as the guideline for how we are to live (KJVCRSB). When Paul says all the law is fulfilled, he is not attempting to trivialize the law but is making a statement about the power and significance of love. Love both summarizes and fulfills the entire moral law of God (Rom. 13:9, 10) (NIVJSB). Fulfilled means “obeyed.” In one word means, “one statement” (KJSB). All the law: The Christian does not live under the law of Moses, but instead under “the law of Christ” (6:2). Living in Christ empowers us to love others, which is the fulfillment of the law (Matt. 22:36-40) (KJVFSB). Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Such love is produced by the Holy Spirit. Love is the real fulfillment of the law which the legalists were wanting to serve. It is said of the early Christians, “Behold how they love one another” (John 13:35), not how they quarrel, criticize, and backbite. Christ did not come to destroy the law … but to fulfill (Mt. 5:17). Grace does not make one free to sin; it makes him free to serve (KJBC). Law: (Greek nomos) (Matt. 5:18; Romans 6:14; 7:21; 8:2; Gal. 2:16; 5:14; Heb. 8:4) The Greek term for law means an inward principle of action – either good or evil – operating with the regularity of a law. The term also designates a standard for a person’s life. The apostle Paul described three such laws: (KJVWSB)

The first is called “the law of sin” which was operating through his flesh, causing him to sin. Paul, like all other believers, needed another law to overcome “the law of sin.”
This second law is “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” which makes us “free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). By following this law, believers can actually fulfill the righteous requirements of God’s law (Rom. 8:4).
God’s law is the third law in this section. It is the standard for human action that corresponds to the righteous nature of God.

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. The phrase “bite and devour one another” probably looks back to “an occasion to the flesh” (v. 13) and looks forward to “the works of the flesh” as the Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22-23). Paul had apparently heard that there was serious dissension in the churches of Galatia. He warned them that such attitudes and behavior would destroy (Greek analisko; “to consume, eat up”) them (KJV). When there is an absence of love and the desire to serve one another, the result is biting and devouring one another through petty squabbles, unkind words, and selfish attitudes (KJVTSB). But if: setting in contrast what they were doing with what they should do. Bite and devour. Continually biting and devouring like wild animals in deadly combat, i.e., a picture of church strifes. Take heed or watch out that ye be not consumed one of another. In other words suffer mutual destruction by slander and criticism (KJBC). Left unchecked, selfish controversies and petty disagreements divide a church and harm its testimony (NIVJSB).

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (verse 5:16 added for clarification) Walk in the spirit (i.e., “live by the spirit”): Christians are to live with the Spirit’s help. How does one “live by the spirit”?

The Christian must believe that the Spirit is with him, having been sent by God into his heart (4:6).
In every spiritual confrontation the believer must yield to the Spirit, that is, submit his own desires to those of the Spirit.
One must depend on the Spirit for help, enabling him to live a God-pleasing life (v.5).
The believer should anticipate the effects of the Spirit’s help in his daily life.

The believer who “lives by the Spirit” will not fulfil (accomplish, carry out) the lust [strong desires] of the flesh (sinful nature) (KJSB). The flesh desires to use people; the Holy Spirit within us desires to serve people. Christian freedom means the freedom to live as our creator intended us to live (KJVTSB). The only consistent way to overcome the sinful desires of our human nature (the flesh) is to live step-by-step in the power of the Holy Spirit as He works through our spirit (KJVFSB). When you walk in the spirit, you will have the habit of continually walking by the energizing power and under the divine direction of the Holy Spirit. This is the only way of deliverance from selfish lusts. When God saved us, He did not eradicate the old nature, neither did He reform the old life; He gave us an absolutely new life (John 3:6). The old nature is “not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). The Christian can conquer the self-life and have continued victory by walking by the Holy Spirit (KJBC).

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. A foundational principle on the church is that those who are stronger should help those who are weaker (see Acts 20:35). Christian leaders should be stronger in their spiritual walk and maturity, and this strength is to be extended to help restore a wayward brother or sister (compare Jude 23) (KJVTSB). A person who falls into sin at a vulnerable point should be spiritually restored with meekness (one of the fruits of the spirit; 5:23). A danger for those doing such restoration is that they themselves might be pulled into sin (KJV). Restore such an one in the spirit of meekness: A believer devastated by sin needs to be approached gently by fellow believers (KJVFSB). The role of those who live by the spirit is to serve in humility, not to correct in pride (NIVJSB). In a fault (or, “by some transgression”): The sin in view is a deliberate overstepping of divine boundaries. Ye which are spiritual refers to those who walk by the Spirit (v. 5:16), in whose life the fruit of the Spirit is found (5:22, 23). The man who is overtaken in a fault (by willful sin) is also a Christian, but he has not been walking by the Spirit. The spiritual brethren are to restore the erring brother. This word – restore – is used of mending fishing nets (Matt. 4:21) and of people mending their ways (2 Cor. 13:11). This word Restore means therefore to bring a person back to his former moral condition. The word was also used in secular Greek (Greek katartizo) as a surgical term, of setting a bone or dislocated joint, which has to be done gently. So the church is to restore the lapsed in the spirit of meekness (i.e. gentleness). The grievous and sensitive wounds caused by sin must be handled delicately. Considering thyself: Those restoring the fallen must individually keep constant watch over their own lives. The spiritual man can be morally dragged down as he deals with the sin of his carnal counterpart (KJSB). In a single verse, Paul describes the act of restoration (6:1b), the aim of restoration (6:1c), and the attitude of Restoration (6:1d) (NIVJSB).

The act of restoration: Although we are not to search for sin in the lives of fellow believers, we are to acknowledge it with humility when it becomes evident and reach out in love. Paul advises us to go to the one who has fallen and privately confront the fault with the goal of restoring them to wholeness (Matthew 18). The restorer must be “spiritual” – someone who walks according to the Spirit (5:16, 22-25) rather than functioning according to the flesh.
The aim of restoration: While the legalist seeks to exploit the fallen one, the loving believer is concerned for the fallen person’s good. Restore describes renewed harmony between quarreling factions. When confronting another believer who is in sin, we should aim for repentance from sin and restored relationships.
The attitude of restoration: The Spirit-led believer approaches restoration in a spirit of meekness and love. Martin Luther describes this attitude well: “Brethren … if any man is overtaken with a fault, do not aggravate his grief, do not scold him, do not condemn him, but lift him up and gently restore his faith. If you see a brother despondent over a sin he has committed, run to him, reach out your hand to him, comfort him with the gospel and embrace him like a mother.” Finally, Paul urges the spiritual restorer to “consider yourself” – to be aware that we could just as easily fall into the same temptation ourselves (Prov. 16:18; 1 Cor. 10:12).

Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Key Words: The law of Christ – This phrase is shorthand for Jesus’ teaching that the whole law could be summed up in the commandments to love God and love your neighbor as yourself (PSG p. 136). The law of Christ: This phrase is probably referring to the summation of the law: “Love thy neighbour” (Gal. 5:14; Matt. 22:39; John 13:34-35). Bearing the burdens of one another is precisely what Christ expects of all believers. The Greek word for burdens (baros) refers to something beyond the normal capacity to carry, as opposed to “load” (v. 5), which is what a person would be expected to carry (KJVFSB). Although ultimately God bears our burdens (Ps. 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7), He does some of his best work through people. Typically, burdens are exceptionally heavy loads. When we carry each other’s burdens, helping someone shoulder the oppression of temptation or pride or spiritual failure, we are doing the work of God and fulfilling the “entire law” of Christ (5:14; John 13:34; 15:12) (NIVJSB). Although not stated, the law of Christ is usually understood as the Golden Rule taught by Jesus: that we should do to others as we would have them do to us “And as ye would that man should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). This is called the principle of loving reciprocity. When a fellow Christian has burdens – life issues that are weighing heavily – those who are spiritually mature should help that person as they would want to be helped (KJVTSB). The person whose life is controlled by the Holy Spirit (v.1) is to come alongside and help bear (Greek bastazo; “to carry, endure”) the physical, emotional, or spiritual load threatening to crush his fellow believers. The law of Christ is “love thy neighbor as thyself” (5:14). This is focused somewhat in Jesus’ new commandment, “Love one another” (John 13:34). It was not possible to keep the entire Law of Moses (Gal. 3:10, 12), but it is possible to fulfil both that law (5:14) and the law of Christ through loving actions (KJV). When Paul says to “Bear ye one another’s burdens,” the word he uses almost certainly means “support.” Paul intends for spiritually mature people to assist (not overlook) weaker, growing believers (KJVCRSB). Contextually, the burdens are the moral faults of verse 1, but can have wider application to other kinds of burdens. The law of Christ is the sum of all of Jesus’ teachings and desires; it is Christianity itself (KJSB). No maturing Christian can ever say, “I don’t need the church,” because Jesus tells us that we all have work to do in the church – we must fulfil our role as part of the body. We cannot carry the burdens of those we never interact with. Therefore, we must continue to participate in the work, fellowship and worship of the church – freely giving of ourselves just as Christ has given Himself to us (CFSLPB).

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Anyone who considers himself superior to a fallen believer is deceiving himself and risks being tempted also (6:1) (KJV). For gives a reason to bear the burdens of others (v. 2). When a man [thinks] himself to be morally above reproach, he has no sympathy with the flaws of others. Mutual bearing of others’ moral burdens helps a person retain a sober, ethical estimate of himself (KJSB). To pridefully think we are something – either too important to inconvenience ourselves or better than someone else – often keeps us from sacrificial service to one another (Rom. 12:3; Phil. 2:3-8) (NIVJSB). A danger for spiritual leaders is developing an inflated view of oneself. Paul was implying that this may even lead to the neglect of the needs of others, since such leaders might think themselves too good for this type of ministry (KJVTSB).

Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Although Paul had been making a strong argument in favor of justification by faith alone, he still acknowledges the importance of personal responsibility. Not only should each person carry his or her own load, but believers can take pride on themselves. Indeed, there is a future aspect to what Paul writes here; perhaps he is thinking in terms of believers being judged according to their works (KJVCRSB). The self-delusion of verse 6:3 is caused by an inflated comparison of one’s moral life with the known faults of his Christian brother. To prevent this, every man is to prove [examine] his own work (i.e., life, virtues, deeds). Then his rejoicing shall be in himself alone, and not in another: Joy comes not from comparing one’s moral strengths with the weaknesses of others, but in realizing that one measures up to God’s standard by God’s help (KJSB). Paul commanded each leader to prove his own work. A leader’s job is to be a servant of God, not to be a people pleaser (Galatians 1:10; compare 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Refuse to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to other people or competing with them to see who is the better Christian. We are all dependent upon God’s grace for every good thing in our lives, including our growth (Jas. 1:17). Rather, measure your progress according to the Lord’s standards and make sure that you are walking in accordance with His will. Because then instead of undermining others because of jealousy, you will reach out in compassion and minister to them as Christ would (CFSLPB).

Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden. We cannot legitimately compare ourselves to another (v.4) because the Lord assigns each person a different burden (Greek phortion; not the same word as in verse 2, but meaning “cargo, capacity”) (KJV). When Judgment Day comes, the evaluation will be based not on how well one person did in comparison to another but how well each person did in light of God’s calling and provision (KJVCRSB). In justifying “and not in another” of verse 6:4, for tells why one must not compare himself with others: each believer must shoulder his own burden (i.e. that specific task and responsibility divinely assigned an individual). Instead of comparing one’s virtues with the moral blemishes of another, one is to compare himself with his own achievements against the backdrop if the responsibilities given him by God. No contradiction exist between verses 6:2 and 6:5. The Greek word for burdens in verse 6:2 is baros, there meaning moral weakness – a burden too heavy for a person to bear alone. The Greek word for burden in verse 6:5 is phortion, meaning a personal responsibility that can and should be borne by the individual (KJSB). Leaders must watch their own lives carefully, for they are surely being watched by others (KJVTSB). The word used here for bear (carry in the NIV) describes a soldier’s backpack and refers to each believer’s personal responsibility. As we give help to and receive help from one another, we must not neglect our own responsibilities before God, because we will one day give account to God only for what we have done (Rom. 14:12). This is a warning against spiritual laziness and an exhortation toward personal responsibility (NIVJSB).

Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Doing good is not seeking to be justified by works, but living as God has planned for those who have received His gracious salvation through faith “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:8-10). To “sow to the spirit” (v. 6:8) over the long haul means taking the opportunity (Greek kairos; “opportune or appointed time”) that the Lord places before us to work for the good of all (KJV). Owing to the certainty of being divinely rewarded (vv. 8, 9), believers are urged to seize each opportunity to do good. Contextually, doing good refers to the ministry of restoration (v. 1), bearing one another’s burden (v. 2), supporting teachers (v. 6), sowing to (living in accord with the leading of) the Spirit (v. 8), and general perseverance (v. 9). Believers are to minister first unto them who are of the household if faith (Christians), and second, to the rest of the world (KJSB). Instead of using possessions selfishly, we are called to have compassion for all people, especially for our brothers and sisters in Christ (KJVTSB). Even though doing good to unbelievers is important, the first test of our love for God is our love for our brothers and sisters in the family of believers (household of faith) (Matt. 5:16; 1 John 3:14; 4:20, 21). If we do not show love to the body of Christ, we do not truly have the love of God in our hearts (NIVJSB).

References: Spring 2020

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Copyright © 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(ESVSB) The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal Size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J. Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with In My Opinion.
(LG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Leader Guide Summer 2019 Unit 2 Session 5
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study B
(NIVCBSB) – The NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by The Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVJSB) – The NIV Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.
(NIVMEB) – The Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NCBD) – Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For Life – KJV Adults Personal Study Guide Spring 2019 Vol. 6, No. 3.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.