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Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Wiersbe - Galatians) The Jews referred to the “yoke of the law” (aka ,"the yoke of the commandments," or "the yoke of the kingdom of heaven") as a good thing, which they falsely taught was the essence of "true religion." Think about the irony of the Jews referring to the Law as yoke, but being blind to the fact that they were enslaved by that yoke! In this passage Paul argued that for those who pursued attempting to keep the Law would discover that the Law would actually become a yoke of slavery.
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Wiersbe - The unsaved person wears a yoke of sin (Lam. 1:14); the religious legalist wears the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1); but the Christian who depends on God's grace wears the liberating yoke of Christ....To go back to Law is to become entangled in a maze of "do's and don'ts" and to abandon spiritual adulthood for a "second childhood." .(Galatians) See additional notes on the three "tenses" of come and you will see it is a perfect antidote for becoming subject again to a yoke of slavery! And as Jesus taught in John, this "yoke" is not restricting or binding (in a negative sense), for as He explained to the Jews who had professed faith (proven later to be false belief - cf their actions against Him in John 8:58-59 when He claimed to be God, the "I Am.") So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (eleutheroo).” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free (eleutheros)?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free (eleutheroo), you will be free (eleutheros) indeed. (John 8:31-36) Cereghin - There are many Christians who make much of grace and liberty from the demands of the law, yet they voluntarily (but unnecessarily) submit themselves to man-made rules, regulations and rites of whatever church, fellowship or denomination they belong to. They are in spiritual bondage to man-made denominations and theological systems instead of enjoying the liberty and freedom that is found in Christ. (Galatians Commentary) Slavery (bondage)(1397)(douleia from doulos - slave) means slavery or bondage and describes that state of an individual in which they are prevented from freely possessing and enjoying their life, a state opposed to liberty. In the NT douleia is only used 5x and all figuratively describe a slavish spirit. The idea is that of an enslaved moral or spiritual condition characterized by fear of breaking rules and thus experiencing bondage and lack of freedom. (Rom. 8:15) For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Rom. 8:21) that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Gal. 4:24) This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; (SLAVES TO THE LAW) she is Hagar. (Gal. 5:1) It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (SLAVE TO THE LAW) (Heb. 2:15) and might free those who through fear of death were subject (enochos from enecho) to slavery all their lives. In the crucial Jerusalem Council Peter spoke against the very problem what had begun to plague the believers at Galatia, indicating that there was a group of Jews who paid no heed to the decision of the Jewish council in Acts 15. Luke records.. The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 “And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” (Acts 15:6-11+) Although Paul uses a different verb and the context is not becoming entangled in legalism but in the world system, Paul warns Timothy of the danger of entanglement writing Suffer hardship (aorist imperative only possible as we rely wholly on the Holy Spirit) with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles (see below) himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Ti 2:3-4+) Comment - It is very easy to forget our freedom in Christ become entangled in all manner of life circumstances, through putting ourselves on a performance basis with our Lord, or through feeling that the keeping of laws will make us more spiritual. John
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Wiersbe - It is legalism that is the dangerous doctrine, because legalism attempts to do the impossible: change the old nature and make it obey the Laws of God. Legalism succeeds for a short time, and then the flesh begins to rebel. The surrendered Christian who depends on the power of the Spirit is not denying the Law of God, or rebelling against it. Rather, that Law is being fulfilled in him through the Spirit (Ro 8:1-4). It is easy to see the sequence of thought in these closing chapters: I have been set free by Christ. I am no longer under bondage to the Law (Gal. 5:1-12). But I need something—Someone—to control my life from within. That Someone is the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:13-26). Through the Spirit's love, I have a desire to live for others, not for self (Gal. 6:1-10). This life of liberty is so wonderful, I want to live it to the glory of God; for He is the One making it possible (Gal. 6:11-18). Now, contrast this with the experience of the person who chooses to live under Law, under the discipline of some religious leader. If I obey these rules, I will become a more spiritual person. I am a great admirer of this religious leader, so I now submit myself to his system. I believe I have the strength to obey and improve myself. I do what I am told, and measure up to the standards set for me. I'm making progress. I don't do some of the things I used to do. Other people compliment me on my obedience and discipline. I can see that I am better than others in my fellowship. How wonderful to be so spiritual. If only others were like me! God is certainly fortunate that I am His. I have a desire to share this with others so they can be as I am. Our group is growing and we have a fine reputation. Too bad other groups are not as spiritual as we are. No matter how you look at it, legalism is an insidious, dangerous enemy. When you abandon grace for Law, you always lose. In this first section (Gal. 5:1-12), Paul explains what the believer loses when he turns from God's grace to man-made rules and regulations. .(Galatians) COMPARISON OF LAW AND GRACE De Haan says: The perfect law can only show the nature of sin. The law condemns and says, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Gal. 3:10). 1. The law prohibits––Grace invites and gives. 2. The law condemns the sinner––Grace redeems the sinner. 3. The law says DO––Grace says IT IS DONE. 4. The law says, Continue to be holy––Grace says, It is finished. 5. The law curses––Grace blesses. 6. The law slays the sinner––Grace makes the sinner alive. 7. The law shuts every mouth before God––Grace opens the mouth to praise God. 8. The law condemns the best man––Grace saves the worst man. 9. The law says, pay what you owe––Grace says, I freely forgive you all. 10.The law says “the wages of sin is death”––Grace says, “the gift of God is eternal life.” 11.The law says, “the soul that sinneth it shall die”––Grace says, Believe and live. 12.The law reveals sin––Grace atones for sin. 13.By the law is the knowledge of sin––By grace is redemption from sin. 14.The law was given by Moses––Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 15.The law demands obedience––Grace bestows and gives power to obey. 16.The law was written on stone––Grace is written on the tables of the heart. 17.The law was done away in Christ––Grace abides forever. 18.The law puts us under bondage––Grace sets us in the liberty of the sons of God. Oliver Greene has a similar list of Grace/Law contrasts writing "I have found the following study very interesting and helpful. Please read all of these verses and study them carefully. They have to do with Law and Grace" 1. Under Law there was a dividing veil (Exodus 26:33) - Grace brought a rent veil (Hebrews 10:19-22). 2. Law blots out the sinner (Exodus 32:33) - Grace blots out the sinner's sin (Colossians 2:14). 3. The Law curses the offender (Galatians 3:10) - Grace covers the offender (Romans 4:7). 4. The Law cries out, "Do - and live!" (Deuteronomy 8:1) - Grace cries out, "It is done! It is finished! Receive Jesus and live!" (John 19:30; John 1:12). 5. The Law cries out, "Every mouth... stopped." (Romans 3:19) - Grace invites, "Every mouth opened." "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus" (Romans 10:9). "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord" (Romans 10:13). 6. The Law showed favor to the good (Proverbs 12:2) - The grace of GOD shows mercy and favor to the bad, the ungodly (Ephesians 2:1-6). 7. The Law was graven upon stone . . . outward (II Corinthians 3:3) - Grace is graven on the heart . . . inward . . . CHRIST in you (Colossians 1:27; Colossians 3:3; II Corinthians 3:3). 8. The Law says, "He added no more" (Deuteronomy 5:22) - Grace assures us, "Hath... spoken... by His Son" (Hebrews 1:2). 9. Law is inexorable in its demand (Joshua 7:25) - The grace of GOD is inspirational in its blessing (II Corinthians 5:17). 10. The Law brings judgment (Romans 5:18) - Grace brings justification (Romans 3:24). 11. Law cries out, "Keep the Commandments - all of them, in every minute detail" (James 2:10) - Grace assures us we are kept by the power of GOD (I Peter 1:5). 12. The Law demands love (Deuteronomy 6:5) - The grace of GOD exhibits love (John 3:16). 13. The Law moves the sinner to sin (Romans 7:8) - The grace of GOD removes sin from the sinner (Matthew 1:21). 14. According to the Law, nearness to GOD is impossible (Exodus 20:21) - In Grace, nearness to GOD is guaranteed (Ephesians 2:13). 15. The Law demands obedience - or no blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-2) - Grace brings obedience because of the blessing (I John 4:19). 16. The Law cries out, "Stone the prodigal" (Deuteronomy 21:20-21) - Grace cries out, "Put the best robe on the prodigal . . . kill the fatted calf! Let us feast and be merry!" (Luke 15:20-23). 17. Law brings death (Deuteronomy 21:22-23) - Grace gives to us the quietness and assurance of peace (Romans 5:1). 18. The Law retaliates (Exodus 21:24) - The grace of GOD redeems (Galatians 3:13). 19. The Law demands sanctification (Leviticus 11:44) - Grace bestows sanctification (I Corinthians 1:30). 20. Because of the Law, three thousand were slain (Exodus 32:28) - Because of the grace of GOD, three thousand were saved (Acts 2:41). 21. The Law is unsatisfying to the conscience (Hebrews 10:1-2) - The grace of GOD is unfailing in its forgiveness and remedy for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14; Hebrews 10:10-14). 22. The Law is the voice of consternation (Hebrews 12:18-21) - The grace of GOD is the voice of covenant, blessing, peace and assurance (Hebrews 12:22-24). 23. When the Law was given, Moses' face shown, and the people feared (Exodus 34:30) - Grace brought by JESUS CHRIST attracted the people to the face of JESUS (Mark 9:15). 24. The Law was a yoke of burdensome weight (Galatians 5:1) - Grace is to be in the yoke with JESUS, which makes the yoke easy and the burden light (Matthew 11:29-30). 25. The Law produced zeal (Romans 10:1-2), but no salvation (Philippians 3:6; Romans 10:1-8) - Grace imparts zeal, and brings joy unspeakable and full of glory because we are saved (Titus 2:14; I Peter 1:8). I am so thankful that "Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone that believeth!" These facts are precious to me: We are "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). We are "blessed . . . with all spiritual blessings" (Ephesians 1:3). We are called "the sons of God" (I John 3:1). We are "delivered . . . from the wrath to come" (I Thessalonians 1:10). We are the elect of GOD (I Thessalonians 1:4). We are forgiven by GOD (Ephesians 1:7) for CHRIST's sake (Ephesians 4:32). We are saved by the grace of GOD (Ephesians 2:5). We are "an holy priesthood" (I Peter 2:5). We are "hidden in Christ" (Colossians 3:3). We are justified in His sight without works (Romans 3:28). We are "preserved in Jesus Christ" (Jude 1). "Life eternal is given to us by JESUS" (John 10:28). We are "made nigh [near to GOD] by the Blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). We are "ordained to eternal life" (Acts 13:48). We have "peace with God" (Romans 5:1). We are "quickened . . . together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5). We are "redeemed . . . to God by thy [CHRIST's] Blood" (Revelation 5:9). (Stand Fast Therefore in the Liberty) True Freedom Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. —Galatians 5:1 In 1776, the 13 British colonies in North America protested the limitations placed on them by the king of England and engaged in a struggle that gave birth to a brand-new republic. The infant nation soon adopted that now-famous document known as the Declaration of Independence. Almost 2,000 years ago, the Lord Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished,” proclaiming the believer’s “declaration of independence.” All of humanity was under the tyranny of sin and death. But Christ, the sinless One, took our place on Calvary and died for our sins. Having satisfied God’s righteous demands, He now sets free for eternity all who trust in Him. Paul wrote, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13). Romans 8 assures us, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus . . . . For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (vv.1-2). Galatians 5:1 urges all who have been redeemed to “stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free.” Now are we free—there’s no condemnation! Jesus provides a perfect salvation; “Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call! Come—and He saves us once for all. —Bliss Our greatest freedom is freedom from sin. The Unpayable Debt We Owe Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. —Galatians 5:1 Our gratitude is deepened when we remember the price others paid to help obtain freedom. In the United States, one such person was Richard Stockton. Stockton was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a prominent lawyer and a wealthy landowner. Because he supported the war efforts, he and his family were driven from their home. That home was sacked and burned. Stockton was imprisoned for several years and subjected to harsh treatment that broke his health. He died a pauper at the age of 51. Yet few Americans remember this hero who paid such a high price for the cause of liberty. His sacrifice is largely forgotten. Even more important, have we become so familiar with the gospel that we fail to appreciate what our salvation cost the Savior? We rejoice in the spiritual freedom we enjoy by faith in the sin-canceling death of Jesus, but do we realize at least to some small degree the price He paid? But drops of grief can ne’er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give myself away— ’Tis all that I can do! —Watts Salvation is infinitely costly but absolutely free. Galatians 5:2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Phillips Paraphrase - Listen! I, Paul, say this to you as solemnly as I can: if you consent to be circumcised then Christ will be of no use to you at all.
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Wiersbe explains what those who live by grace can look forward to in contrast to those who live by law - When the believer walks by faith, depending on the Spirit of God, he lives in the sphere of God's grace; and all his needs are provided. He experiences the riches of God's grace. And, He always has something to look forward to (Gal. 5:5) -- one day Jesus shall return to make us like Himself in perfect righteousness. The Law gives no promise for perfect righteousness in the future. The Law prepared the way for the first coming of Christ (Gal. 3:23-4:7), but it cannot prepare the way for the second coming of Christ. So, the believer who chooses legalism robs himself of spiritual liberty and spiritual wealth. He deliberately puts himself into bondage and bankruptcy. .(Galatians)
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Wiersbe says: At the close of an important speech to Congress on January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt shared his vision of the kind of world he wanted to see after the war was over. He envisioned four basic freedoms enjoyed by all people: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. To some degree, these freedoms have been achieved on a wider scale than in 1941, but our world still needs another freedom, a fifth freedom. Man needs to be free from himself and the tyranny of his sinful nature. The legalists thought they had the answer to the problem in laws and threats, but Paul has explained that no amount of legislation can change man’s basic sinful nature. It is not law on the outside, but love on the inside that makes the difference. We need another power within, and that power comes from the Holy Spirit of God....Life, not law, changes behavior; and as you yield to the Spirit, Christ’s life is manifest in the fruit of the Spirit. Law works by compulsion from without, but grace works by compassion from within.(Galatians) Dunnam says: Paul is urging the Galatians to remember that, as Christians, they have received the Spirit and they are to walk in the Spirit. The Spirit is the supreme energizing and regulative force in their lives. If they walk in the Spirit, there is no danger that their Christian liberty will become an opportunity for the flesh. For Paul, the Spirit is more than the manifestation of a supernatural power, more than the giver of dramatic gifts, more than an explosive force erupting in the believer now and then. The Spirit is the daily sustaining, inspiring, and guiding power of the Christian’s life. The Spirit is the domain of power, the sphere of influence which replaces the flesh as the energy force of our lives J. B. Phillips “Every time we say, ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit,’ we mean that we believe there is a living God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.”
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Wiersbe says: The solution is not to pit our will against the flesh, but to surrender our will to the Holy Spirit. This verse literally means “But if you are willingly led by the Spirit, then you are not under the law.” The Holy Spirit writes God’s law on our hearts (Heb. 10:14-17; see 2 Cor. 3) so that we desire to obey Him in love. “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8). Being “led of the Spirit” and “walking in the Spirit” are the opposites of yielding to the desires of the flesh. .(Galatians) You are not under the Law - Under is hupo which in this context conveys the sense of under subjection to the authority, rule or power of the Law. It pictures one in bondage to the Law. Believers are no longer to live under the Law, for as Paul wrote in Gal 4:5+ "that He might redeem (pay the price to set free from slavery for) those who were under (hupo) the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." Anders says: In summary, Paul tells us that victory over sin is not the result of living under the law. Instead, it is the result of actively yielding to the Spirit. Therefore, both the first step of salvation and its ongoing steps (sanctification, growth in holiness) are brought about within us by God’s Spirit working through faith. To be saved, we must have faith in Christ. To walk in God’s way, we must have faith in the Holy Spirit, for he empowers us to walk in obedience Bickel & Jantz say: Even though the Holy Spirit is in us, it is our responsibility to surrender our will to Him so He can direct our desires, enabling us to produce the thoughts and actions that please and glorify God. Without God’s strength and enablement to help us in our weakness and frailty, we are at the mercy of the desires that come from the flesh. Another way to say it is this: If we don’t follow the leading of the Spirit, we will follow the leading of the flesh, with the result that we will gratify the desires of the flesh. Bartlett says: Turning to the brighter side of the picture, it holds gloriously true that the more we say yes to Jesus the easier will it be, until finally it becomes a fixed habit. Precious and weighty, then, is our responsibility for cultivating response-ability to Jesus. (Galatians 5:16-23 - Practical Application) Dan Duncan explains that "The Law is not the means of producing righteousness in the believer. The Law was given to show the unbeliever that he has no righteousness. The Law doesn't have the power to produce righteousness. And it is helpless against the flesh. It results in bondage and condemnation for those who seek by the yoke of the Law to gain God's approval. Paul has made that very clear throughout this book. But every believer in Jesus Christ has the Holy Spirit. At the moment of faith, as Paul explains in Ephesians 1:13, at that very moment we are sealed permanently with the Holy Spirit, who is our protector and who is our guide. Not the Law that's our guide. It is the Holy Spirit a person directs and empowers us, so that by siding with Him, the Christian overcomes the flesh. And remember, the one we side with, the one we walk with, is omnipotent, an omniscient, all wisdom and all loving. So by following Him we do overcome the desires of the flesh. Now our relationship to His guidance is stated here in verse 18 in a passive voice, a passive form. We are led by the Spirit. We don't lead the Spirit; the Spirit leads us. So there's a passive sense about this. But the idea that Paul is conveying here in this passage is not that we are only passive in this leading. We must submit ourselves to His leading."(Galatians 5:16-26 The Flesh And The Spirit) Galatians 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, Phillips Paraphrase - The activities of the lower nature are obvious. Here is a list: sexual immorality, impurity of mind, sensuality,