Gálatas 6
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gálatas 6
Spurgeon says "With that “God forbid,” ("May it never be") Paul makes a clean sweep of every other ground of boasting, and casts himself upon the one only chosen object of his soul’s glorying. And yet, if you will think of it, Paul had, after the fashion of other men, many things in which he might have gloried. In a parallel passage Paul lists those things he once boasted in but to which he has not in essence been crucified... But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Php 3:7-8+)
Gálatas 6:9
Spurgeon put it this way… I would not give much for your religion unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. Peter explained the vital importance of good deeds in a godless society exhorting us to Keep (our) behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander (us) as evildoers, they may because of (our) good deeds, as they observe (behold with their own eyes like a spectator or overseer) them, glorify God in the day of visitation." (1Pe 2:12-note) Thomas Adams phrased it this way… Good deeds are such things that no man is saved for them nor without them. Martin Luther in his preface to his comments on Romans wrote… Oh, it is a living, busy, active, mighty thing, this faith; and so it is impossible for it not to do good works incessantly. It does not ask whether there are good works to do, but before the question rises; it has already done them, and is always at the doing of them. He who does not these works is a faithless man. He gropes and looks about after faith and good works, and knows neither what faith is nor what good works are, though he talks and talks, with many words, about faith and good works. As alluded to in the preceding section, one must be careful to notice that the phrase good deeds differs from your deeds. In other words, the only truly "good" deeds are those borne by believers ("branches") abiding in Christ ("the Vine" Jn 15:5). Good deeds then simply reflect Christ's life flowing through them, initiated, such deeds being energized by His Spirit (cp Php 2:13-note) and bringing glory to His Father (Mt 5:16-note). Paul reminded the Corinthian church of this foundational principle regarding good deeds, explaining that God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed (2Cor 9:8). (Notice that the verse begins with God and ends with good deeds which might even be referred to as "God" deeds!) Paul acknowledged that the key to his good works was the grace of God writing that His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored (to the point of weariness and exhaustion) even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. (1Cor 15:10). (Notice the balance - our responsibility is to choose to do good works. God's sovereign provision enables all our well-doing! Amazing grace indeed!) In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul emphasized that no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ ("the Vine"). Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. (1Cor 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
Gálatas 6:10
Spurgeon: Working salvation in the midst of the earth. From the most remote period of Israel's history the Lord had worked out for her many salvations; especially at the Red Sea, the very heart of the world was astonished by his wonders of deliverance. Now, every believer may plead at this day the ancient deeds of the Lord, the work of Calvary, the overthrow of sin, death, and hell. He who wrought out our salvation of old will not, cannot desert us now. Each past miracle of grace assures us that he who has begun to deliver will continue to redeem us from all evil. His deeds of old were public and wrought in the teeth of his foes, they were no delusions or make believes; and, therefore, in all our perils we look for true and manifest assistance, and we shall surely receive it. TDNT - The Greek Usage. These words (ergon, ergazomai, energeo, et al), common from Homer, denote action or active zeal. They occur in relation to all kinds of work, working with various materials, building, and technical and cultural activity. They also denote work as a social or ethical task....The passive is common for the work done, i.e., the result of work, or even its reward as wages or profit. In a weak sense the term can also denote a “matter” or “thing.” Vine - ergazomai, the Greek word covers much the same ground as the English; it is used, e.g., of manual work, Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; of trading, Matthew 25:16; Revelation 18:17; of the conscience, 2 Corinthians 7:10; of preaching and the work. NIDNTT - Ergazomai in the intransitive the basic meaning to work, to be engaged on something. Used transitively (linked, for instance, with ergon = work), it means to create, to produce, to perform and also to process (e.g. a raw material). Ergazomai - 41x in 39v - Translated - accomplish(1), accomplished(1), accomplishing(1), achieve(1), committing(1), do(1), do...work(1), does(3), doing(1), doing...work(1), done(2), make...living(1), perform(4), performed(1), performing(1), practice(1), produces(1), traded(1), work(9), work be done(1), work do...perform(1), working(7), works(1), wrought(1). Matthew 7:23-note "And then I will declare to them, 'I never (at any time) knew you; DEPART (present imperative) FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE (present tense - as their habitual practice) LAWLESSNESS.' Matthew 21:28 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go work today in the vineyard.' Matthew 25:16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. Matthew 26:10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. Mark 14:6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. Luke 13:14 But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, "There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day." John 3:21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought (accomplished by, carried out, done) in God." John 5:17 But He answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working." John 6:27 "Do not work (present middle imperative + negative - don't start or stop doing this) for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures (abides) to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal." John 6:28 Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works (ergon) of God?" John 6:30 So they said to Him, "What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? John 9:4 "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. Acts 10:35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. Acts 13:41 'BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH; FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS, A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.'" Acts 18:3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade (techen) they were tent-makers. Romans 2:10-note but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Comment: Good works don't save a person, but they do demonstrate that person is saved. The only good that God calls eternally good is that which is initiated and enabled by His Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, as we yield to Him). Jesus said the same thing when He emphasized the vital importance of abiding in Him if we would desire our works to abide (cf Jn 15:5. In that case, our "works" are really His (indwelling Spirit's) works, worked in and through vessels of honor, who have separated themselves from unholy influences (even our volitional act of separation being enabled by the Spirit! see Php 2:13NLT+), who have jettisoned self-reliance and who continually surrender to the Spirit's leading (Gal 5:18). Vine: To the one who works good (were it possible [in the strength of our fallen flesh]), with a simple effort to accomplish it, the reward is proffered, whereas it is one who persists in working evil who is punished. Romans 4:4-note Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. Romans 4:5-note But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, Romans 13:10-note Love does no wrong to a neighbor (one who is near is the idea!); therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 1 Corinthians 4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; Comment: Greeks despised manual labor. Paul glories in it, and even the rabbis often worked to support themselves. 1 Corinthians 9:6 Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? 1 Corinthians 9:13 Do you not know that those who perform (present tense) sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? Vine: “those employed in sacred things” or “those who are assiduous in priestly functions.” 1 Corinthians 16:10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without cause to be afraid, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I also am. 2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces (present tense) a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces (katergazomai - thoroughly accomplishes) death. Galatians 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do (present tense) good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Gálatas 6:14
Spurgeon says "With that “God forbid,” ("May it never be") Paul makes a clean sweep of every other ground of boasting, and casts himself upon the one only chosen object of his soul’s glorying. And yet, if you will think of it, Paul had, after the fashion of other men, many things in which he might have gloried. That I should boast - That I should glory in. That I should rely on anything else. His opponents gloried in their conformity to the Law of Moses. And ironically while they boasted in the the "wound" of circumcision, Paul boasted in a wounding far more severe than circumcision: crucifixion! Many boast in their zeal, their talents, their learning, their orthodoxy, their wealth, their accomplishments, their famous friends or family, their birth. The list goes on, but the point seems to be that men will boast in something and Paul has identified the best thing in the world to boast in, the Cross of Christ. May all believers be imitators of Paul and exercise "righteous boasting" (in contrast to all sinful and improper boasting). Boast (exult, glory) (2744) (kauchaomai [word study] akin to aucheo = boast + euchomai = pray to God <> auchen = neck which vain persons are apt to carry in proud manner) means to boast over a privilege or possession. The idea is to take pride in something (in a bad sense - Ro 2:23-note, in a good or legitimate sense - Ro 5:2-note, Ro 5:3-note; Ro 5:11-note) Kauchaomai - 37x in 32v - Ro 2:17, 23; 5:2f, 11; 1 Cor 1:29, 31; 3:21; 4:7; 13:3; 2 Cor 5:12; 7:14; 9:2; 10:8, 13, 15, 16, 17; 11:12, 16, 18, 30; 12:1, 5, 6, 9; Gal 6:13, 14; Eph 2:9; Php 3:3; Jas 1:9; 4:16 Richison - Paul’s “boast” appears to justify pride but the word “boast” in this context carries the idea of praise. The cross was an object of shame to the Judaizers but it was the object of praise to Paul. They gloried in the flesh; Paul gloried in God...Legalists put little focus on the cross and more on themselves. To those who are graced-oriented, the cross means everything. We glory in the cross. We totally reject self-righteousness. We hold a clear view of the cross. When Jesus becomes the centre and circumference of our life, we enter into spirituality as it should be lived. (Galatians 6:14 - Bible Exposition Commentary) John
Gálatas 6:14
Spurgeon noted that "There are some sciences that may be learned by the head, but the science of Christ crucified can only be learned by the heart." The Cross of Christ offends the natural man but strengthens the supernatural man for it is this very Cross that is the foundation for forgiveness and the key to future glory. BEWARE: THE LAST DAYS WILL BE PERILOUS DAYS One shudders to think what the Apostle Paul would say about the utterly incredible statements made by men who are leaders in a rapidly growing movement in Christianity that includes what would otherwise be considered mainline evangelical churches (cp "winds of doctrine" Ep 4:14-note, "doctrines of demons" 1Ti 4:1, etc)... [Speaking of Jesus' message] “The cross isn't the center...the cross is almost a distraction and false advertising for God.” (Brian McLaren) The Church's fixation on the death of Jesus as the universal saving act must end and the place of the cross must be reimagined in Christian faith. (Ed: Woe!) (Brian McLaren) To think that the central meaning of Easter depends upon something spectacular happening to Jesus' corpse misses the point of the Easter message and risks trivializing the story. (Marcus Borg) Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God's house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God.” (Henri Nouwen) I don’t believe making disciples must equal making adherents to the Christian religion. It may be advisable in many (not all) circumstances to help people become followers of Jesus and remain within their Buddhist, Hindu or Jewish contexts. (Brian McLaren) One can be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ without denying the flickers of the sacred in followers of Yahweh, or Kali, or Krishna. (Leonard Sweet) I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity…I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can. (Thomas Merton) (Note: All quotes from a 6 part series entitled Weathering The Storm) Quotes of this "ilk" should cause any God fearing, Christ exalting, Word centered, Spirit controlled Christian to immediately be impelled to compare such statements with God's authoritative, fully inspired (it does not just "contain truth"), inerrant Word of Truth! A Berean mindset is no longer optional (it's never really been optional!) but is absolutely mandatory to allow one to discern truth from error (Acts 17:11-note, cp He 5:14-note, 1Th 5:19, 20-note, 1Th 5:21, 22-note)! Applying the Berean standard to these preceding quotes clearly brings one to the conclusion that they overtly contradict Paul's exaltation of and exultation in the Cross of Christ! Paul warned us that in the last days difficult times would come and men would be lovers of self, etc. (2Ti 3:1-note) It is incumbent on each believer that they not be carried away by varied and strange teachings (He 13:9-note), but instead seek diligently to hold fast to "the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict." (Titus 1:9-note) Let us retain the standard of sound doctrine (2Ti 1:13-note), fighting the pressure to jettison Scripturally sound teaching in order to tickle the listener's ears (2Ti 4:3-note), and let us not veer away from the ancient paths for only there will we find rest for our souls (Jer 6:16, 18:15). God's Word of the Cross is still foolishness to those who are perishing but praise God it remains the power of God to those who are being saved (1Cor 1:18). Beloved let me state it plainly - If you are attending a local body and the pastor disparages the proclamation of sound doctrine (1Ti 6:3, saying things like "expositional preaching is too dry and boring and impractical" or in any way denigrates the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ) then you need to strongly consider separating from that body, lest you too be infected by their subtly seductive sensual doctrines (cp 2Ti 3:13-note, 2Pe 2:2-note, 2Pe 2:18-note). Martin Luther - The cross of Christ runs through the whole of Scripture. J. C.