Summary for Gal 3:1-14

[jlkoch]

Brothers,

I had some thoughts on our summary sentence from last study. Look it
over and see if you concur.

Justin




Summary sentence we concluded:
"Paul...(teaches, reminds, differentiates, chides, spotlights,
accentuates, draws, coaxes, wins, woos, exhorts, clarifies, expands,
explains, pleads, scolds) un-bewitches the Galatians by
contrasting righteousness by faith vs. righteousness by the law
through a presentation of the truth in love."




As I reviewed it I noticed that he did not "un-bewitch" them. Rather
it was an effort to reach down and pull them back on to high ground.
He may or may not have been successful.

Alternative sentence:
"Paul reaches down to the bewitched Galatians who have reverted back
to justification through the law and pulls them back onto the high
ground of justification by faith."

Is that a better capture of Paul's heart and intent through the
passage?

Justin

[Logan Hangartner]

Justin,

I like your new sentence. My mind keeps going back to the idea that Paul
isn't teaching the Galatians new stuff here (not just in chapter 3, but in
the whole book of Galatians). I don't get the feeling that Paul is
"teaching" the Galatians that they need to transition from justification by
works to justification by faith, but rather "reminding" them that they are
only justified by faith (the Galatians already have a justified "status").
For if they are true believers, they are already justified by faith, and
there is nothing they can add or take away from that. Therefore, I believe
Paul is pulling them back to what they already "know" is true.

I hope this makes a little sense. It does in my head, but sometimes it is
hard to communicate what is going on up there.

Looking forward to a blessing tonight,
Logan

--------------------------------------------------
From: "jlkoch" <jlko...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 8:11 AM
To: "Galatians Bible Study" <galatians-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Summary for Gal 3:1-14

[Luke Knapp]

Justin:

If the premise to change our sentence is: "Rather it was an effort to reach down and pull them back on to high ground. He may or may not have been successful."

Then I'm not sure we can say "and pulls them back onto the high ground of justification by faith."

If we're worried about whether he successfully "pulls them back" or not, and we don't believe the text is implicit either way then it should read "...and attempts to pull them back..."

My initial thought, based on my paradigm, is this:  When Paul initially preached the gospel to the Galatians a body of them "believed"...they joined the church.  Later a large portion of them were bewitched - drawn away - by untrue doctrine.  Paul writes this letter to bring truth to bear on their situation.  It would seem reasonable that some would hear this truth, repent of their sin, and turn back to the true gospel.  Some would hear, scoff at Paul, and continue with the Judiazers.  The Galatians that continued with the Judiazers for the rest of their lives, it would bear out that they never were truly Son's of God and heirs to the promise.  The Galatians that turned back to the true Gospel gave evidence of the Holy Spirit keeping them.

My revised sentence would read as follows:
"Paul reaches down to the bewitched Galatians, who have reverted back to justification through the law, and brings the true gospel to bear in their lives in order to bring them to repentance."

Thoughts?

Peace,
Luke

--
http://lrknapp99.blogspot.com

[jlk...@softhome.net]

Good thoughts guys.

I like your addition of "attempts"; that makes the sentence more accurate.

Another thing that comes to mind is the quote I have used more frequently
with age..., "I don't need more information, I need inspiration." When I
go hear a public speaker, I am not just interested in the facts, but
engaging testimonies and stories that motivate my heart.

It looks to me that Paul has a good deal of that element in his
persuassion from these chapters.

Blessings to all and see you in a couple of hours.

Justin



> Justin:
>
> If the premise to change our sentence is: *"Rather it was an effort to

> reach
> down and pull them back on to high ground. He may or may not have been

> successful."*
>
> Then I'm not sure we can say *"and pulls them back onto the high ground of
> justification by faith."*

>
> If we're worried about whether he successfully "pulls them back" or not,
> and
> we don't believe the text is implicit either way then it should read
> "...and

> *attempts* to pull them back..."

>
> My initial thought, based on my paradigm, is this: When Paul initially
> preached the gospel to the Galatians a body of them "believed"...they
> joined
> the church. Later a large portion of them were bewitched - drawn away -
> by
> untrue doctrine. Paul writes this letter to bring truth to bear on their
> situation. It would seem reasonable that some would hear this truth,
> repent
> of their sin, and turn back to the true gospel. Some would hear, scoff at
> Paul, and continue with the Judiazers. The Galatians that continued with
> the Judiazers for the rest of their lives, it would bear out that they
> never
> were truly Son's of God and heirs to the promise. The Galatians that
> turned
> back to the true Gospel gave evidence of the Holy Spirit keeping them.
>
> My revised sentence would read as follows:

> *"Paul reaches down to the bewitched Galatians, who have reverted back to

> justification through the law, and brings the true gospel to bear in their

> lives in order to bring them to repentance."*