In Galatians 2, Paul talks about the circumcision party who had previously caused trouble in Antioch as those who “came from James.” The implication there may have been that James himself was endorsing their position. However, that isn’t necessarily the case. In 5:11, Paul is himself compelled, to deny and refute that he was a… Continue reading Misrepresentation
Category: Bible Study
The pearl of great price -another perspective
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells two parables about valuable treasure. First he describes a man finding a a field with buried treasure in it. He sells everything in order to purchase the field and so own the treasure in it (13:44), then in the following verse he tells of a merchant who finds a pearl… Continue reading The pearl of great price -another perspective
Fruitful
So, if Christians are to be godly and to say no to sinful desires and temptation? How are we meant to go about that? Paul has been clear throughout that it isn’t by legalistic means or ritual that we pursue godliness.Is there a better way? A look at the text (Galatians 5:22-25) Paul contrasts “works… Continue reading Fruitful
Fleshly
Paul has set up a contrastbetween Flesh/human sinful nature and The Spirit/Life in the Spirit. He now spells out in detail what those types of life look like. A look at the text (Galatians 5:19-21) Paul says that “the works of the flesh/human sinful nature are obvious”. It doesn’t take too much to work out… Continue reading Fleshly
Free for what?
If a Christian is free from the law and legalism, does this mean that they can do what the please? A look at the text (Galatians 5:13-18) Christians have been rescued from slavery to freedom but we need to understand what this freedom is about and make sure that we do not abuse or exploit… Continue reading Free for what?
Keep on running
The 3000 metres race at the 1984 Olympics is famous for what happened to the two favourites, both of whom failed to win. Zola Budd and Mary Decker were out in front, when they ended up colliding and getting tangled up with each other. Decker was injured and failed to finish. Budd, limped on but… Continue reading Keep on running
True Freedom
Have you ever had one of those dreams where you are trying to escape from a scary place where you are trapped. You get through to the other side, only to realise your efforts were in vain, you are still captive. It’s a common theme, it invades our worst nightmares and is often picked up… Continue reading True Freedom
The danger of legalism
A big theme throughout Galatians is that we are no longer under subjugation to The Law. This meant that Galatian believers were not to be subjected to the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism. It also meant that people were not to be excluded from belonging and fellowship on that basis. So, an important application from… Continue reading The danger of legalism
God keeps his promises to David
1 Chronicles 18-20 God said “…I will make a name for you like that of the greatest in the land. 9 I will establish a place for My people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they formerly have 10 ever since the day… Continue reading God keeps his promises to David
The allegory of Sarah and Hagar
Remember that the argument being made by the agitators in Galatia was in effect that history and God’s Word was on their side. God’s covenant was with the Jewish people and it centred on two things, ancestry through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Torah keeping. Paul has been systematically pulling apart this claim. A look… Continue reading The allegory of Sarah and Hagar
Faithroots 