GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
GALATIANS 3:4-5
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4 Did you experience these things for nothing– if it really was for nothing? 5 The one who supplies his Spirit so richly to you and works miracles among you– does he do it because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?
Paul could bring in many passages from the Scriptures to support his point, and this question he is asking the Galatians. And he will do that next. But first he is asking them about their own personal experience: Did you come to faith because you were keeping the law? Are you saved by the blood of Christ because you were keeping the law? Have you been flooded with miracles there in Iconium, in Lystra, in Derbe, and in the other Galatian cities and towns, on account of your obedience?
We can say “flooded with miracles” because Paul says that with his word, epichoregon (ἐπιχορηγῶν). We see this word in many places: “add” (2 Peter 1:5), “grow” (Colossians 2:19), “to supply, provide” (2 Corinthians 9:10), and “to do (a thing) richly” (2 Peter 1:11) and even “support a family.” The Galatians had been supplied, provided with, flooded with many miracles since they came to faith. Luke tells that in Iconium, “Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders” (Acts 14:3). And in Lystra, Paul healed a crippled man, who “jumped up and began to walk” (Acts 14:10). These things and certainly many more took place in Galatia, among these people. They couldn’t deny what they had seen with their own eyes; they couldn’t deny that their own loved ones, and some of they themselves, had been healed and helped in spectacular ways by the power of God.
He says “among you.” They all saw them. They all heard about them. And did the gospel-twisting Judaizers perform any miracles at all, ever? Anywhere? Where the apostles went and preached the gospel, the true gospel of Christ crucified for the sins of the world, miracles followed along as a testimony to their preaching. This did not continue forever. As the word of God spread, the miracles diminished, especially after the New Testament was completed and copies of the written text were made available to more and more people. What Paul wants to focus on is not so much the miracles, though, as the presence of the Holy Spirit. You came to faith! You believed! You can have complete confidence that your souls are saved– could there be an arrogance so puffed up, so outrageous, as to think that this happened on account of your good deeds?
Lenski has an excellent statement about this: “These questions are to stir up the thoughtless Galatians into doing some mighty necessary thinking. Let them wake up! A few proper questions will make them throw out the Judaizers. The same treatment ought to be accorded the deceivers of our time. Oh, if only all of us would think! Put the Word and true Chrsitian experience with the Word into simple honest questions and answers like a catechism, and you are armed and proof against deceit” (Interpretation of Galatians p. 131-132).
The answer had to be obvious to the Galatians: To try to add our works to salvation is utter foolishness. We are saved by faith in Christ alone. This is Paul’s whole point and message, but next he will bring other writers from the Holy Scriptures to stand with him, beginning with Moses.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
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Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota
God’s Word for You – Galatians 3:4-5 Faith or works?