Wednesday, June 11 – Galatians 5 & 6

1. In what “word” does Paul say the entire law is fulfilled? (Galatians 5:14)

2. What have those who belong to Christ crucified? (Galatians 5:24)

3. What should we do if a trespass overtakes someone, and why? (Galatians 6:1)

In the closing chapters of Galatians, Paul sharply contrasts circumcision and the cross. Circumcision represents the flesh; the cross represents faith. Circumcision symbolizes slavery; the cross symbolizes freedom. Circumcision emphasizes human effort; the cross highlights the work of the Holy Spirit.

Circumcision had once been the sign of God’s covenant with His people. However, when Jesus came, fulfilling the law both personally and symbolically, the law reached its fulfillment in Him: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4, NKJV)

John the Baptist affirmed the same truth when he declared: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NKJV) This is not the sinner’s lamb, it is God’s Lamb.

When Jesus died, He exclaimed, “It is finished!” (John 19:30), and the temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. This was a divine sign that the sacrificial system had reached its fulfillment. As the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary explains: “The rending of the veil of the temple was a supernatural act… It signified that the typical services of the earthly sanctuary had come to an end.” (SDABC, vol. 5, on Matthew 27:51)

Ellen White also writes: “The priest was about to slay the victim; but the knife dropped from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escaped. The type had met the antitype in the death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice had been made. The way into the holiest is laid open.”
(The Desire of Ages, p. 756)

The old covenant and its sign were left behind. This was confirmed at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:24–29). Under the new covenant, circumcision is performed by the Spirit, not by hands: “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit…” (Romans 2:29, NKJV)

Paul passionately addresses this issue because he feels a special calling to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and to combat legalistic distortions in the early church. His epistles remain in the New Testament because God deemed them necessary for all ages. Human beings naturally tend to trust in themselves for salvation, and the devil continually tempts us to do so.

Paul clarifies that the problem was not circumcision itself; he had been circumcised, but the belief that circumcision was necessary for salvation. That belief transformed a religious practice into a spiritual falsehood. For the Galatians, the issue then became this: circumcision or Christ. Paul warns: “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Galatians 5:4, NKJV)

He adds: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9, NKJV) A bit of legalism can ruin the entire experience of faith, just as leaven impacts the whole dough. The gospel must remain pure.

Paul teaches that if we choose legalism, we will manifest the works of the flesh. However, if we choose to be led by the Holy Spirit, we will produce the fruit of the Spirit in harmony with the law.

In chapter 6, Paul states that sowing to the flesh leads to corruption, but sowing to the Spirit results in eternal life: “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:8, NKJV)

Those who coerced Gentile believers into circumcision did so to take pride in the flesh, pursuing personal satisfaction through religious conformity. But Paul says: “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14, NKJV)

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary offers this concluding insight on the epistle to the Galatians: “This warning applies also to those who think they can achieve a higher degree of righteousness before God by meticulously practicing human rules concerning Christian lifestyle, such as dress or diet… Others return tithe, attend church, and even keep the Sabbath because they mistakenly believe they are earning favor with God. The true Christian will fulfill all these duties—not in order to earn God’s favor, but because, as a child of God by faith in Jesus Christ, he finds supreme joy in living in harmony with God’s expressed will.” (SDABC, vol. 6, EGW Supplement on Galatians 3:24)

Paul’s final benediction reads: “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18, NKJV)

May we boast in nothing but the cross, and may grace be with us all.