WITH FREEDOM (τη ελευθερια). Rather dative case instead of instrumental, "for freedom," "for the (article) freedom that belongs to us children of the freewoman" (Galatians 4:31).DID CHRIST SET US FREE (ημας Χριστος ηλευθερωσεν). Effective aorist active indicative of ελευθεροω (from ερχομα, to g... [ Continue Reading ]
I PAUL (εγω Παυλος). Asserts all his personal and apostolic authority. For both words see also 1 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 10:1; Colossians 1:23; Ephesians 3:1.IF YE RECEIVE CIRCUMCISION (εαν περιτεμνησθε). Condition of third class and present passive subjunctive, a supposable case, but... [ Continue Reading ]
A DEBTOR (οφειλετης). Common word from οφειλω, to owe for one who has assumed an obligation. See on Matthew 6:12. See Galatians 3:10. He takes the curse on himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE SEVERED FROM CHRIST (κατηργηθητε απο Χριστου). First aorist passive of καταργεω, to make null and void as in Romans 7:2; Romans 7:6.WHO WOULD BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW (οιτινες εν νομω δικαιουσθε). Present passive conative indicative, "ye who are trying to be justified in the law."YE ARE F... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE (ημεις γαρ). We Christians as opposed to the legalists.THROUGH THE SPIRIT BY FAITH (πνευματ εκ πιστεως). By the Spirit (Holy Spirit) out of faith (not law). Clear-cut repetition to make it plain.... [ Continue Reading ]
AVAILETH ANYTHING (ισχυε τ). Old word to have strength (ισχυς). See on Matthew 5:13. Neither Jew nor Greek has any recommendation in his state. See Galatians 3:28. All stand on a level in Christ.FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE (πιστις δι' αγαπης ενεργουμενη). Middle voice of ενεργεω and "through lov... [ Continue Reading ]
Who did hinder you? (τις υμας ενεκοψεν?). First aorist active indicative of ενκοπτω, to cut in on one, for all the world like our use of one cutting in on us at the telephone. For this late verb see on Acts 24:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:18. Note the singular τις. There was some ringleader in the business.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS PERSUASION (η πεισμονη). "The art of persuasion," the effort of the Judaizers to persuade you. Only here and in ecclesiastical writers.... [ Continue Reading ]
This proverb Paul has in 1 Corinthians 5:6. It is merely the pervasive power of leaven that is involved in the proverb as in Matthew 13:33, not the use of leaven as a symbol of evil.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER HE BE (οστις εαν η). Indefinite relative clause with εαν and subjunctive. It seems unlikely that Paul knew precisely who the leader was. In Galatians 1:6 he uses the plural of the same verb ταρασσω and see also αναστατουντες in verse Galatians 5:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY AM I STILL PERSECUTED? (τ ετ διωκομαι?). Some of the Judaizers even circulated the slander that Paul preached circumcision in order to ruin his influence.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WOULD (οφελον). Would that, used as conjunction in wishes. See on 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:1. Here a wish about the future with future indicative.THEY WHICH UNSETTLE YOU (ο αναστατουντες υμας). Late verb from αναστατος, driven from one's abode, and in papyri in this sense as well a... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WERE CALLED FOR FREEDOM (επ' ελευθερια εκληθητε). The same point as in Galatians 5:1 made plainer by the use of επ' (on the basis of, for the purpose of). See 1 Thessalonians 4:7 for this use of επ.ONLY USE NOT (μονον μη). No word for "use" in the Greek. Probably supply τρεπετε or στρεφετε,... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN IN THIS (εν τω). Just the article with εν, "in the," but it points at the quotation from Leviticus 19:18. Jews (Luke 10:29) confined "neighbour" (πλησιον) to Jews. Paul uses here a striking paradox by urging obedience to the law against which he has been arguing, but this is the moral law as... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER (ε αλληλους δακνετε κα κατεσθιετε). Condition of first class assumed as true. Two common and old verbs often used together of wild animals, or like cats and dogs.THAT YE BE NOT CONSUMED ONE OF ANOTHER (μη υπ' αλληλων αναλωθητε). Negative final clause with first... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL NOT FULFIL (ου μη τελεσητε). Rather, "Ye will not fulfil." Strong double negative with aorist active subjunctive.THE LUST OF THE FLESH (επιθυμιαν σαρκος). Bad sense here as usual in Paul, but not so in 1 Thessalonians 2:17; Philippians 1:23. The word is just craving or longing (from επ... [ Continue Reading ]
LUSTETH AGAINST (επιθυμε κατα). Like a tug of war. This use of σαρξ as opposed to the Spirit (Holy Spirit) personifies σαρξ. Lightfoot argues that επιθυμε cannot be used with the Spirit and so some other verb must be supplied for it. But that is wholly needless, for the verb, like επιθυμια, does... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDER THE LAW (υπο νομον). Instead of "under the flesh" as one might expect. See Galatians 3:2-6 for contrast between law and spirit. The flesh made the law weak (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 9:10; Hebrews 9:13). They are one and the same in result. See same idea in Romans 8:14. Note present tense of αγεσ... [ Continue Reading ]
MANIFEST (φανερα). Opposed to "hidden" (κρυπτα). Ancient writers were fond of lists of vices and virtues. Cf. Stalker's sermons on _The Seven Cardinal Virtues_ and _The Seven Deadly Sins_. There are more than seven in this deadly list in verses Galatians 5:19-21. He makes the two lists in explanat... [ Continue Reading ]
FOREWARN (προλεγω)--DID FOREWARN (προειπον). Paul repeats his warning given while with them. He did his duty then. Gentile churches were peculiarly subject to these sins. But who is not in danger from them?PRACTISE (πρασσοντες). Πρασσω is the verb for habitual practice (our very word, in fact... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (ο καρπος του πνευματος). Paul changes the figure fromWORKS (εργα) in verse Galatians 5:19 to fruit as the normal out-cropping of the Holy Spirit in us. It is a beautiful tree of fruit that Paul pictures here with nine luscious fruits on it:LOVE (αγαπη). Late, almost B... [ Continue Reading ]
CRUCIFIED THE FLESH (την σαρκα εσταυρωσαν). Definite event, first aorist active indicative of σταυροω as in Galatians 2:19 (mystical union with Christ). Paul uses σαρξ here in the same sense as in verses Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:17; Galatians 5:19, "the force in men that makes for evil" (Burto... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE SPIRIT LET US ALSO WALK (πνευματ κα στοιχωμεν). Present subjunctive (volitive) of στοιχεω, "Let us also go on walking by the Spirit." Let us make our steps by the help and guidance of the Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US NOT BE (μη γινωμεθα). Present middle subjunctive (volitive), "Let us cease becoming vainglorious" (κενοδοξο), late word only here in N.T. (κενοσ, δοξα). Once in Epictetus in same sense.PROVOKING ONE ANOTHER (αλληλους προκαλουμενο). Old word προκαλεω, to call forth, to challenge to combat... [ Continue Reading ]