Day 3
What?
Paul used eighteen questions in this letter to help make his case. The question is a powerful rhetorical devise. It draws the reader into the letter. It causes the reader to follow the logical progression of the author. Paul’s use of questions are very similar to Jesus’ use of them. Many of the questions have implied answers that help the reader to draw the same conclusion as the author. However, there were some questions that were meant to be direct confrontations. They were meant to produce repentance by the reader. The string of questions given at the beginning of chapter 3 is especially direct and persuasive. Notice...
Galatians 3:1–5 You foolish Galatians,
- who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
- This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
- Are you so foolish?
- Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
- Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
- So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
Follow how Paul developed his argument letting the reader actually answer in themselves. “Who has bewitched you...?” He asks in a sense, “Who has deceived you?” The implied answer was the Jewish “teachers.” The Galatians were confronted for being deceived and foolish because they had seen the glory of Jesus preached by Paul previously ... “before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?”
Next Paul prepped his next question with point of emphasis and importance...”did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” The answer was an obvious “hearing with faith” was how the people received the Spirit. The Galatians were outside of the new covenant promises till their faith. They had no interest in keeping the Law. This question was a set up for the next question! If the reader answered the question correctly, then the answer for the next questions were “no brainers.”
So Paul followed up with a compound question. It was two questions in one sentence. The first was a direct rebuke even before the the second question was given. The question was the second time in three verses Paul had implied the Galatian believers were foolish (not sugar coating at all). If one understands that getting converted was a WORK of God’s Spirit, it is insane to think a person can improve upon or somehow complete the work by human fleshly efforts.
The next question called the reader to evaluate their previous conversion experience. Again pointing to the supernatural work of the Spirit at their conversion. “Was it in vain?” “Was it useless?” This question was again developing the previous argument. The power of God started the work and the Spirit of God will complete it by faith NOT BY WORKS!
The final question in this section is a rhetorical summation. So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? The reader must conclude that God is doing His work by hearing with faith NOT works of the Law. GOD saved, saves and will save … SO TRUST HIM! BELIEVE in HIM! Don’t believe in Yourself! Don’t be deceived by those who say it is self-righteous religion that saves! JESUS saves! The Spirit is working! The Father loves You!
Father, my heart is encouraged by Your grace. I am here before You today by Grace not my efforts or my ‘self-righteousness. You, God, are my Savior and Lord. Please Father help me to remain in the truth. Please help me avoid any and everyone who teaches a false Gospel. Father, today and this new year protect the sheep at GBCT from the enemy. Please help them to cling to You and to trust You alone.
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