Galatians, chapter 1, comments: contrasting information

 Galatia was a Roman province in the ancient area of the highlands of central Anatolia, the provinces of Ankara and Eskisehir in modern Turkey. Roman writers called its inhabitants Gauls or Celts and they were what was left from an invasion of the Balkans by Celtic tribes hundreds of years before. Paul is writing to the Christians here. Paul’s trip through Galatia is mentioned in Acts 16:6 and Acts 18:23. Peter also mentions Galatia in his first letter as does Paul again in 2Timothy.

Galatians, chapter 1

Galatians 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Paul refers to churches of Galatia. In this era there were no buildings set aside specifically for Christian worship. That didn’t happen until the second century. These were churches that met in people’s homes.

Galatians 1:3 ¶ Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This present evil world would refer to the world system as they and we know it. There is little difference between our world today and their world. We define things differently often but we have our self-delusions of grandeur and civilized behavior, same as those of that day.

Galatians 1:6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Notice Paul’s concern about another gospel in;

2Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Even in this period of the early church Paul is concerned about false doctrine that binds and enslaves men and women.

2Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Galatians 1:10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:11 ¶ But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:13 ¶ For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:  17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Paul has given his testimony of his previous persecution of Christians.

1Corinthians 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

Phillipians 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

 

1Timothy 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

Verses 15 to 17 are proof that Luke worked independently of Paul in writing his history in Acts and that there was little or no collusion between them, Luke doesn’t mention Arabia. Paul gives us additional information here about what he did after his conversion and where he went. See Acts 9 regarding Paul’s conversion.

 

Galatians 1:18 ¶ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

Three years in Damascus learning from the Christians there after returning from Arabia? Then only fifteen days with Peter?  The question begs itself about Paul’s time in Arabia and then the second time in Damascus. How does this line up with Luke’s account in Acts? Aha! In the first century Arabia included the Syro-Arabian desert including modern Syria (Damascus) and Jordan, sources say. So, these rather confusing statements are now cleared up. For some reason Paul went into the area surrounding Damascus and returned to the city before journeying to Jerusalem and seeing Peter. For contrasting information see Acts 9 and comments.

Romans 16:3-27 comments: Paul ends his letter to the Romans (trouble with copying and pasting from Word, my apologies)

 Romans 16:3¶ Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Priscilla and Aquila were comrades in arms of Paul, so to speak. See Acts.

Acts 18:1 ¶  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers…24 ¶  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

They have a church body that meets in their home, as churches did at the first.

Epaenetus is mentioned only hear as perhaps the first person saved in Achaia, in Paul’s work in Greece, even Corinth.

We don’t know who this Mary is and this must have been a common name.

Andronicus and Junia is interesting because the verse says that they were of note among the apostles. Traditional Bible scholars and the Greek Orthodox Church holds them up as apostles, sent ones, ordained by the early churches.  Adronicus became the bishop or pastor of Pannonia and both he and Junia, who traditionally is said to be a woman and only much later thought might be a man, were supposedly martyred. Other equally important commentators simply say that they were noted as important by the apostles that Jesus had selected.

Amplias in verse 8 is only mentioned here but is from tradition a noteworthy Christian. He is considered one of the seventy disciples by the Eastern Orthodox Church and is thought to have been the Bishop of Odessos or Varna in present day Bulgaria.

Although the names mentioned are often mentioned only once in the Bible some commentators report that those names are listed in inscriptions of the imperial household so they may be servants or employees of the imperial household whom Paul was able to reach for Christ.

Rufus may or may not have been the son of Simon the Cyrenian who carried Christ’s Cross as per Mark 15:21.

Fundamentalists should pay close attention to verse 16. We do not customarily in the U.S. see heterosexual men kissing one another as we do in places like France, Italy, and Russia. You have no problem forgoing this Bible command and yet will dig up others out of context to apply to everyone else.

Romans 16:17¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

We all know that there are people who like to cause divisions in a church body or in any group to which they belong, including their own families. These ‘drama queens’ love to start stuff. Often they will being into a church false beliefs like the “Sovereign Citizen” movement in the U.S. or some variation of racism, misogyny or contempt for women, and some kind of rule structure they’ve created, maybe copying a preacher they worship instead of God. They will work to undermine anyone in authority or with responsibility in a church and they have to have their own way because to them that is the only right way.

This warning from Paul is classic. For it is by good words and fair speeches they try to divide a church. This is also a warning against preaching that goes against the doctrines that Paul has set forth for Christians. Gnosticism, Christian mysticism, and Christian cults were a constant problem throughout history.

Notice verse 20 and compare it to Genesis 3:15.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Romans 16:21¶ Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.

Romans 16:22¶ I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

Tertius was a common slave name meaning third. Paul often did not write his own letters but had an amanuensis or secretary write them. It is possible that Paul’s eyesight was permanently affected by his encounter with Christ on the Road to Damascus. But it was not uncommon for speakers to have someone put their words to paper or parchment in history.

Romans 16:23¶ Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Based on the traditional postscript to this letter, it was written from Corinth. These people were converts from that city extending their greetings and good wishes through Paul’s letter. Erastus is mentioned in Acts 19 and in 2Timothy 4. He must have been important to Paul.

Quartus, another slave name, means four.

Romans 16:25¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. (Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.)

The understanding of God coming to earth to live as one of us, as God in the flesh, called the Son of God, was not revealed before His advent in the way that His being here physically in the flesh revealed. Although there are many Old Testament verses and prophecies that predict Christ they were shrouded in mystery and metaphor with a few exceptions.

 

But now He has been revealed and mankind has no excuse to make for themselves.

 

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

So, the letter to the Romans, a very complicated legal treatise in a manner of speaking, ends.

 

Deuteronomy 31:7-30 comments: God warns Moses of his impending death

Deuteronomy 31:7 ¶ And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Notice how Moses gave Joshua the same message that he gave the Israelites and made it a word of personal encouragement. He assured him that Jehovah would go before him.

Deuteronomy 31:9 ¶ And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: 13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

Make note of the command to read the entire law before the congregation.

Leviticus 23:34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.

Deuteronomy 15:1 ¶ At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release. 3 Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release; 4 Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:5 Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.

Not only did they eventually stop reading it but the written Law was lost entirely. Read about King Josiah in 2Kings22 & 23 and pay particular close attention to this verse.

2Kings 23:1 ¶  And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.

This failure placed Israel in a great deal of trouble.

Judges 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:14 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation. 15 And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle. 16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? 18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.

Here is a sad and remarkable prophecy against the Israelites as God tells Moses he will soon die and wants to consecrate Joshua to take his place.

Deuteronomy 31:19 ¶ Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. 20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant. 21 And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. 22 Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

 

Deuteronomy 31:23 ¶And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

 

Deuteronomy 31:24 ¶ And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, 25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, 26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. 27 For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death? 28 Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them. 29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

 

Deuteronomy 31:30 ¶ And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.

The tragedy that was about to unfold is foretold in this prophecy given to Moses by God and preserved as a witness against the people of Israel much like the Bible we adore is a witness against us. 

Romans 16:1 -2 comments: Phebe

 Romans 16:1 ¶ I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

There have been notable women in the Bible who completed tasks that the modern Baptist is uncomfortable with because he does not think women should do anything except bear children, cook meals, and sew. I’ve already pointed out historically that there were female deacons in the early church and in the early Baptist tradition of the seventeenth century. Phebe, which we would spell as Phoebe today was given a task of great importance and the men were supposed to provide her with whatever assistance she required. So take that you misogynists.

Notice the prophetess Huldah’s speech to the king’s men in 2Kings 22 or Deborah’s leadership in Judges.

Cenchrea was a port that serviced Corinth. It goes by a different name now, either Kenkris or Kikries depending on the source.

Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

Deuteronomy 31: 1-6 comments: Moses' declaration

 Deuteronomy 31:1 ¶ And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. 2 And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. 3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said. 4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed. 5 And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Remember that God has forbidden Moses to cross over into the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 3:26  But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. 27  Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

 

Read Numbers 20:1-13 to find out why Moses would not be permitted to enter the Promised Land. Notice also the figure of speech about not being able to lead as in I can no more go out and come in. This is not a euphemism for old age as we are told in a few chapters.

Deuteronomy 34:7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

The promise here is that the Lord Himself will deliver the land into their hands. Let’s review my comments on chapter 9.

“Deuteronomy 9:1 ¶  Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, 2  A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak! 3  Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. 4  Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. 5  Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6  Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.

 

Here, Moses reinforces the supernatural success that the Israelites can expect from God. Though they face strong, fortified cities and giants the Lord will go before them and destroy their enemies.

 

What they are warned about is spending any time patting themselves on their collective backs. They aren’t going to have success in Canaan because of their goodness but because of the wickedness of the nations that God has ordained be destroyed. This should give us pause today to reflect on our own nation-state.

 

Psalm 9:17  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

 

Moses reinforces the stubbornness of Israel as being an impediment, not a reason, for success. We Christians are told;

 

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

 

The Israelites were stubborn people and walked contrary to God quite often. It was not their goodness that gave them the land. It was God’s will from the curse on Canaan revealed in Genesis and the depravity of Canaan’s descendants.

Genesis 9:25 And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.

But here in Deuteronomy 31 there is a positive message at the end of this passage. God is telling them to be strong and that He is with them and will not forsake them.

These are promises a Christian can hold onto when facing their conflict with sin and Satan’s discouragement.

6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

World History notes, A Bible Believer Looks at World History, #53, the plagues on Egypt

 

Bible study with Fred, #53, Genesis 8:6-12: the raven and the dove