Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
Summary: Paul is very concerned about what is happening to the churches in Galatia.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:3 – Only Jesus”Galatians 2:21 – The Knife’s Edge
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!
Summary: Paul has led us up the mountainous trail of his logical reasoning for many verses. We are finally at the top of the mountain, where Paul presents us with a choice. We can jump off on one side or the other, but not both.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:21 – The Knife’s Edge”Galatians 2:20e – Living by Faith
I live by faith in the Son of God …
Summary: Paul sets an example for us when he lives by faith in Jesus.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:20e – Living by Faith”Galatians 2:19 – Old Laws and New
If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
Summary: Keep up with Paul can be a challenge. In this passage he reflects on his personal journey with God’s law. The old covenant law is obsolete, and the “new law” is to trust in Jesus. If we try to mix the old with the new, we end up breaking the new law.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:19 – Old Laws and New”Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment
But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!
Summary: Paul tackles a legalistic conundrum as only Paul can. He lassos it, hogties it, and then throws it in our faces demanding that we confront his argument head-on.
Continue reading “Galatians 2:17 – Crime and Punishment”Galatians 2:16b – Innocent Before God
So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Summary: In this passage Paul outlines the basic challenge that confronts all humanity. Who do we trust? Ourselves or our Lord?
Continue reading “Galatians 2:16b – Innocent Before God”Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus
… For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage give us pause for thought. If you could take a “before” and “after” picture of yourself before and after meeting Jesus, what would be different?
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus”Ephesians 6:23b – Ambassador for Christ
… and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary: Sometimes people say things they don’t mean. Paul was not like that. He represented Jesus to the Gentiles, and he took his work very seriously.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:23b – Ambassador for Christ”Ephesians 6:16b – The Devil’s Quiver
… with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Summary: The shield of faith is our protection agains the devil’s arrows, but if our shield is going to protect us, we have to know how big a shield we need. The answer to that and other questions about our shield is found by studying the enemy’s tactics and weapons.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:16b – The Devil’s Quiver”Ephesians 6:16a – Some Kind of Faith
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,
Summary: When we consider Paul’s “shield of faith,” it is helpful to understand what the word “faith” means. Looking at how many ways the word can be used helps us to understand how Paul is using it in this passage.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:16a – Some Kind of Faith”