#161-G107 ~ Galatians 4:13-17
I begin by discussing the importance of understanding this principle that I so often mention–the principle that says all Scripture is FOR us it is not all TO us. Understanding this one principle and appreciating the great value of the Bible will take you a long way in your study of this marvelous book.
We continue with our study as we do some review of verses 13 and 14. The passage lets us know that Paul didn’t have a lot of eye appeal in his appearance, but then as now that’s not all that important. The important thing is the message, not the man. Despite his appearance they at first had a tremendous appreciation for him and his teaching.. However, all that changed after he left them. Since that time they’ve drifted away from believing his teaching. They had gone into a form of what we often speak of as legalism. This always involves some kind of system that demands some form of works for salvation and/or spirituality. Paul now seeks to correct them and bring them back to the truth he had at first given them. Here we look at Romans 6:23. Even though the wages of sin is death, Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world so that anyone may now be saved freely. We then look at Romans 5:6-8 where we see this wonderful solution God provided for all of us through Jesus Christ. Salvation is not provided to all through this work of Christ, but it certainly is made available to all. By ACCEPTING by faith what Christ did, salvation is provided immediately and permanently to anyone.
I then follow with some comments about all this.
–What Christ did He did for ALL mankind. 1 John 2:1-2 & Galatians 3:26
–Salvation is secured by grace through faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9
I then note some important principles about this.
–Salvation is the most valuable gift you’ll ever receive.
–Salvation is a gift that has eternal value.
–Salvation is a gift that has eternal value.
We then go on to verse fifteen which tells us how these Galatians first felt about Paul. The verse tells us these people would have gladly given him their own eyes for what he had given them by providing them with the gospel message. Paul apparently had a serious eye ailment and they would have gladly helped him any way they possibly could have, even to the point of being willing to give him their own eyes if that had been possible.
Then we look at verse sixteen. Paul realizes that these people are now seeing him as their enemy. What a change had occurred!
I then comment on several other passages that relate to all this–1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17-19. All these passage point to the importance of learning and applying the teachings of the apostle Paul.
I then close out with a few comments about verse seventeen.
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