May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ …
Summary: As Paul gives us an important pointer about boasting, he also points us to the deeper meanings of the words he used.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:14a – Did Paul Pun?”Galatians 6:12a – Compelled by Whom?
Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be … .
Summary: Paul packs a lot into this short sentence. He has been teaching us about the Gospel of Christ, and now he teaches us about the application of that Gospel.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:12a – Compelled by Whom?”Galatians 5:17b – Who Is “You”?
They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Summary: Sorting out who Paul is referring to helps us to understand the challenge of the flesh and the hope that comes with God’s Holy Spirit.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:17b – Who Is “You”?”Galatians 5:17a – Learning To Drive
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
Summary: Teaching someone about things we can see is hard enough. Teaching people about invisible things is immensely more difficult.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:17a – Learning To Drive”Galatians 4:29 – Flesh Versus Spirit
At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.
Summary: In this passage, Paul gives us a timeless insight into the human condition.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:29 – Flesh Versus Spirit”Galatians 3:3 – Only Jesus
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”Ephesians 6:11a – Fear Can Be Deadly
Put on the full armor of God …
Summary: We live in dangerous times, both physically and spiritually. Only one of these realms is eternal, and that is where the greatest danger lies.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:11a – Fear Can Be Deadly”Ephesians 4:17a – A Kind of Test
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do …
Summary: Paul’s problem is that people who believe in God act differently than people who don’t. Being the “Apostle to the Gentiles” carried with it the added burden of educating Gentile believers about this difference.
Continue reading “Ephesians 4:17a – A Kind of Test”Ephesians 3:19a – A Surpassing Love
… and to know this love that surpasses knowledge …
Summary: To question what we know is to question the foundation of our ability to reason. When we discover that we are both flesh and spirit, we find that knowing the love of God is a spiritual experience far beyond what the flesh and understand.
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:19a – A Surpassing Love”Ephesians 3:17b – Spiritual Potting Soil
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love …
Summary: Paul writes, presuming his readers are “rooted and established in love.” But what does that mean, and why would Paul think it important?
Continue reading “Ephesians 3:17b – Spiritual Potting Soil”