Lesson 12 - Walk by the Spirit

Paul concluded his explanation and argument regarding salvation through faith vs conversion to Judaism.  He has spent ¾ of his letter arguing that being under the law is not the answer to justification.  He has worked hard to prove with Old Testament scripture that Gentiles do not have a requirement to be circumcised.  In the last bit of his letter, he seems to answer an unasked question, which we ask ourselves, quite often today.  If we, as Gentiles, are not obligated to be circumcised, and we are not “under the law,” then what is our obligation?  Paul must have anticipated that some would interpret his writing to mean that Gentiles were not obligated to follow any of the law, and would use this new found freedom as a “get out of jail free” card.  The brilliant leader and teacher that he was, Paul made sure to proactively address this issue before it became a concern.

Galatians 5:13 – 5:26

o   5:13 – 5:15 – Freedom from what? 

§  While reading Galatians, an easy mistake is to forget who this letter is written to and why.  Paul is primarily writing to non-proselyte Gentiles.  Gentiles that are worshiping in the synagogue, not having undergone conversion, which Paul use the term circumcision as the mark of conversion. 

§  With that context in mind, what was the call to freedom?  Freedom from what?

§  Their past life of bondage.  Bondage to idol worship.  Slavery to pagan rituals. 

§  At the same time, he could be, and probably is, teaching not to use this new found freedom as an opportunity for “cheap grace” that all is forgiven and we have no obligation. 

§  Paul quotes Leviticus 19:18, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  The passage he pulled is from a series of commands on how to treat each other.  Remembering the poor, not suing each other, how to treat employees, etc.  It is about loving your community.

§  It is not coincidence that this is the same verse Jesus quoted as the second most important command, finishing by saying “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40).  It was very common rabbinic teaching at that time, that all of the Torah fell under the umbrella of these two commands.

§  1) How to properly worship God and to be holy in His presence

§  2) How God expected us to treat each other

§  Why is that so critical?  This is a synagogue that is undergoing change.  It is mixed with Jews, proselyte Gentiles, and non-proselyte Gentiles.  All with varying degrees of knowledge and all trying to worship the same God.  So he is warning them not to implode.

I have heard this misused in such a way that some imply our only two commands now are to love God and love your neighbor.  While this is an interesting idea, the real meaning is completely missed.  I have not read the Talmud, which are the written traditions and interpretations of Rabbi’s over thousands of years.  These interpretations sometimes contradict each other, as one Rabbi interprets something different than another.  The point I am making is that Paul, like Jesus, was pointing to a common rabbinic interpretation that the entire Torah was summarized within two main points.  All of Torah law is pointing us towards two separate goals.  First, how to worship God, keep Him holy, and defining the boundaries of keeping that worship holy and sanctified.  The second is to summarize how to treat each other as a community, including legal implications, employee and employer relationships, slave and owner relationships, treating the poor, health and hygiene (because keeping a community healthy protects each person’s health and from disease spreading), etc. 

Neither Paul nor Jesus was saying, “Disregard all past instructions or law and just love each other and love God.”  They are quoting very common theology that summarized all of the Torah.  Without understanding this, it is easy to misunderstand what either is teaching.

o   5:16 – 5:18 – Walk by the Spirit 

§  “Walking by the Spirit” is the language God used when speaking to Ezekiel about the coming of a new covenant. “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” (Ezekiel 36:27)

§  Again, Paul goes back to Old Testament (which is the only scripture the apostles had) to teach his readers.

§  In context, Paul contrasts the terms “walk in the Spirit” and “desires of the flesh” which is part of a passage explaining that God will put His statutes in our heart.  Paul phrased his point that walking in the Spirit is to obey God’s commands out of love, not obligation, as reading the entire passage from Ezekiel.

§  Paul addresses this same topic in Romans 8:1-11

§  Romans 8:2 “the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”  Contrasting the law of the Spirit – really teaching out of Ezekiel that God will place His Spirit within us to have a desire to follow His statutes.

In reading this passage, I was very pleased to find the connection to Romans 8 and further, the connection to Ezekiel.  Knowing that Paul was teaching from the foundational position that God was explaining part of what will be included with the new covenant.  His part is to give us a heart of flesh and put His Spirit within us, and our part is to walk in His statutes and be careful to obey my rules. 

o   5:19 – 5:21 – Works of the flesh defined

§  It is interesting to me that Paul said the works of the flesh are evident.  This seems to imply that these should be obvious to the point of common sense.

§  Paul lists several negative activities or thoughts that he considers to be evident.  This list is not comprehensive, as he ends the list with “and things like these.” 

§  Something to consider when evaluating this list is that there are Torah instructions that more clearly define what each of these issues are.

I fully believe that Paul used the term “works of the flesh are evident” because the Torah was read regularly.  It was part of regular synagogue behavior.  Acts 15 reminds us that the laws of Moses were ready every Sabbath in the synagogues.  Based on this, Paul makes the assumption that everyone is hearing the law read, so they would know and understand what works of the flesh means.  He gives a list, yet not comprehensive.  These individual issues are addressed in multiple laws.  These are not just a list of bad behaviors that Paul made up off the top of his head.  I believe this is the basis for the obligation Gentiles have towards the law, but that’s a very different and lengthy study by itself.

o   5:22 – 5:26 – Fruits of the Spirit

§  This is a famously quoted passage that define the evidence we should seek in a person that claims to be a believer.

§  Accepting Jesus as the Messiah separates us from the desires of the flesh. 

§  In verse 25, he again pull from Ezekiel the teaching of walking “in step” with the Spirit, keeping God’s statutes out of love in our heart and not out of requirement.

Like the list Paul wrote to correspond with works of the flesh, Paul again, wrote a list of fruits of the Spirit.  Each of these are positive character traits derived from following God’s instruction and listening to His Spirit.   

Paul is winding down his letter, so is now spending time reminding this assembly to keep their hearts right and to live according to God’s instruction, but with a heart of love instead of a heart of judgment and biting.