GALATIANS 5:11-15 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
NSB* - The cross gives offense because it proclaims God's unmerited grace (2:21), leaving no place for people's good works, -- as a means to salvation or justification. (para).
Persecution; "to pursue," whence the meaning "to persecute," Thayer expands - 1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away 2) to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after 2a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal 2b) to pursue (in a hostile manner) 3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one 3a) to persecute 3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something 4) without the idea of hostility, to run after, follow after: someone 5) metaph., to pursue 5a) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire. The Greek word used here is διώκω diōkō. Vine's (def A-1b), Strong's G1377.
Offense; a snare, stumbling block, cause for error. Thayer expands - 1) the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick 1a) a trap, snare 1b) any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, (a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling) i.e. a rock which is a cause of stumbling 1c) fig. applied to Jesus Christ, whose person and career were so contrary to the expectations of the Jews concerning the Messiah, that they rejected him and by their obstinacy made shipwreck of their salvation 2) any person or thing by which one is (entrapped) drawn into error or sin. The usage here has the idea of occasion to fall (of stumbling), offence, thing that offends, stumbling-block. The Greek word used here is σκάνδαλον skandalon. Strong's G4625.
Cross; In this instance "the word of the cross," RV, stands for the Gospel; Vine's (def A-1b). Strong's gives the prime definition - a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ. The Greek word used here is σταυρός stauros. Strong's G4716.
1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
Moving to Verse 12.
Galatians 5:12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
NSB* - The spiritual damage caused by legalistic teaching regarding circumcision and the law was so serious that Paul used strong, sarcastic words to emphasize his point. The false teachers should go beyond mere circumcision and castrate themselves. This exaggerated statement reveals Paul's frustration with those who muddied the clear gospel message of God's grace.
Trouble; I turn upside down, upset, unsettle (perhaps a political metaphor), I turn upside down, upset, unsettle. Thayer denotes - 1) to stir up, excite, unsettle 1a) to excite tumults and seditions in the state 1b) to upset, unsettle, minds by disseminating religious error. The Greek word used here is ἀναστατόω anastatoō. Strong's G387.
Cut; The NSB* notes are backed up by this definition for the word "cut". To amputate; reflexively (by irony) to mutilate (the privy parts). The Greek word used for cut here is ἀποκόπτω apokoptō. Strong's G609.
My notes - needless to say this was a stiff warning against confusing or muddling the gospel via legalism. I think we can apply the same warnings to those who purposely distort the gospel.
Acts 15:1-2 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
Moving to Verse 13.
Galatians 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
NSB* - Liberty presents an opposite temptation from legalism. A person can be tempted to view freedom in Christ as a selfish opportunity for the flesh, in other words, an opportunity for the flesh to do whatever one wants to do. But Paul points out that true Christian liberty is the freedom to serve one another in love.
Brethren; Dodson denotes - a brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. Strong's defines it as a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote. The Greek word used here is ἀδελφός adelphos. Strong's G80.
Liberty; Thayer denotes - 1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation 2) fancied liberty 2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases 3) true liberty is living as we should not as we please. Strong's defines this word as freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial). The Greek word used here is ἐλευθερία eleutheria. Strong's G1657.
Love; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast. The KJV usage is (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love. Dodson denotes - love, benevolence, good will, esteem. The Greek word is ἀγάπη agapē. Strong's G26.
Serve; Thayer denotes - 1) to be a slave, serve, do service 1a) of a nation in subjection to other nations 2) metaph. to obey, submit to 2a) in a good sense, to yield obedience 2b) in a bad sense, of those who become slaves to some base power, to yield to, give one's self up to. Strong's defines it as to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary). The Greek word used here is δουλεύω douleuō. Strong's G1398.
1 Peter 2:16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
Moving to Verse 14.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
NSB* - The Christian does not live under the law of Moses, but instead under "the law of Christ" (6:2). Living in Christ empowers us to love others, which is the fulfillment of the law. (para) Jesus gives His dissertation on the matter.
Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
My Notes - In this second context Paul uses a different word for love. In Verse 14 he uses ἀγαπάω agapaō which has the idea of "to love (in a social or moral sense)". Strong's G25.
Neighbor; (adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e. fellow (as man, countryman, Christian or friend). Thayer expands - 1) a neighbour 1a) a friend 1b) any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour), according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth 1c) according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet. The Greek word used here is πλησίον plēsion. Strong's G4139.
Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Moving to Verse 15.
Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
NSB* - When Christians follow their sinful desires (v13), they begin to criticize and content with one another. Such self-centered behavior is self-defeating. Those who criticize and attack usually end up being consumed in worthless struggles.
My notes - the verbiage indicates Paul is speaking metaphorically here to convey spiritual truths.
Bite; Dobson denotes - I bite, backbite, harm seriously. I bite; hence: I backbite, harm seriously. Thayer expands - 1) to bite with the teeth 2) metaph., to wound the soul, cut lacerate, rend with reproaches. The Greek word for bite here is δάκνω daknō. Strong's G1143.
Devour; to eat down, i.e. devour (literally or figuratively). Thayer expands - 1) to consume by eating, to eat up, devour 1a) of birds 1b) of a dragon 1c) of a man eating up the little book 2) metaph. 2a) to devour i.e. squander, waste: substance 2b) to devour i.e. forcibly appropriate: widows' property 2c) to strip one of his goods 1c1) to ruin (by the infliction of injuries) 2d) by fire, to devour i.e. to utterly consume, destroy 2e) of the consumption of the strength of body and mind by strong emotions. The Greek word used here is κατεσθίω katesthiō. Strong's G2719.
Consumed; properly, to use up, i.e. destroy. Dobson denotes - I destroy, annihilate. I destroy, annihilate, expend, consume. To use up, spend up, especially in a bad sense, to destroy," is said of the destruction of persons. The Greek word used here for consumed is ἀναλίσκω analiskō. Vines (def 1a), Strong's G355.
Takeaways :
- We never want to find ourselves disregarding Christ's work on the cross assuming it wasn't good enough to cover our sins. Likewise, we should not use our newfound freedom in Christ as a license to sin. Instead, we should use this freedom to bless and lift up others. In addition, through the Holy Spirit enjoy the truth that we are no longer in bondage to sin, ie, we can flee from it in the power of Christ.
- Do not waste your time in worthless quarrels with the brethren. It is one thing to come to a decision that you disagree. It is another to call out sin (we should be doing that in a scripture-based manner), but do not waste your time attempting to tear down the brethren rather than lifting them up despite disagreements. I kind of take the "if it's not a salvation issue" then it's not worth having a huge fight about approach, especially not publically where Christians who are not as far along in their walk with God, or those seeking can get entangled with offenses.
*= Nelson Study Bible.
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