Fruits of Redemption
Adult 1 Sunday School Class Galatians 5:22 – 6:10 February 26, 2012
Theme: Apostle Paul teaches the Galatians the fruit of the spirit and to relate to other Christians with humility and service.
Understanding and Interpreting the Scriptures (responses are in bold print)
Please explain the meaning or significance of the following verses:
* Galatians 5:22, 23, and 24, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Paul lists those qualities that the Spirit can produce in every believer. He lists them from love through temperance. The Spirit produces righteous behavior and changes the heart of the believer and thus renders the "Law" obsolete. When believers are lead by the Spirit, they eliminate the propensity for having a sinful nature, and allow the Spirit to lead them to God and that does not require the "Law" to induce this behavior. Those who are Christians have crucified or "put to death" any thing that would cause them to oppose Christ, and thus allow them to be free to produce through their behavior the fruits of the Spirit.
* v.25, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." This is a summary of the previous two verses. It goes without saying. If we live in the Spirit, then we should also walk in the Spirit. If we truly live in the Spirit, then we should let it take control of all we do and our behavior should exemplify it.
* V.26, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Apparently Paul is saying not to be overconfident concerning your position with Christ. Because we are lead by the Spirit, doesn't mean that we will always exhibit that behavior and be a reflection of Christ. Sometimes in doing good, we may cause others to become jealous of our actions. This may happen when the works that we do are so apparent to others. "Provoking one another", means that when we do good, we must be careful not to stir envy in others. This may lead others to do wrong. We must not try to prove to others of the righteousness of our behavior, at the expense of another's spiritual well-being, this border on "vain glory". "We should not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.".
* Galatians 6:1, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." If one of your brothers is caught in any type of wrong doing, those of you which are spiritual should set him on the correct path, but do it in a gentle manner. But keep an eye on yourself, or you might be tempted also. "Overtaken" means to be entrapped in a fault, one which was not intentional, but nevertheless took place. You are to handle the situation with meekness and restore the person to rightness. Do not use this situation to gossip or look upon yourself as being superior, to the other, for you may fall prey to the same temptation.
*V. 2, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Help carry another's burden; in this manner you will obey the law of Christ. In short, we should be a comfort to those who need help with the load or situation which they undergo. Burdens indicate a heavy load that one must physically and/or mentally carry. This is not an occasional behavior, but one we should come to embrace. By acting like THIS, WE LIKE Christ, will HAVE fulfillED the Law.
V.3, “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." The meaning is clear when we read verses 2 and 3. Those who think too much of themselves are in no position to bear the burden of others.
V.4, "But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." One should judge their own behavior, if it is exemplary (i.e. Christ like), then he can be proud of himself, without comparing himself to another. If one is lead by the Spirit, they have no need to compare themselves to other believers. If one is within the Word of God, this gives one the basis for self-evaluation.
V.5, “For every man should bear his own burden." This might seem to contradict v.2. The word burden has two different meanings as it comes to us from the Greek. In v.2, it means "load". In v.5, it means "responsibility". In short, you should do your own work and not expect others to do your work for you (i.e. take responsibility). This is so the work of ministry is handled by the Body of Christ, and not just handled by a few. We as Christians are equally responsible for supporting the Body. Our personal responsibility is different from listening to the burdens of others. Our Christian responsibility is to carry our own weight and to help bear the misfortunes of others. Nowhere in the Scripture is laziness considered a virtue.
V.6, “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." He that is taught the Christian message should share all the good things he has with his teacher. In V.6, Paul is changing from bearing burdens to sharing blessings. It means that those who hear God's Word from their pastors and teachers should share good things with them. "Communicate" means to enter into fellowship with, or to partner with. The phrase, "all good things" does not mean that people are to give all they have to their ministers, but that they should support them liberally and share with them the good things of this life, according to their need.
V.7 and .8, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." 7. Do not fool yourself, God can not be fooled. A person reaps exactly what he plants. 8. If he plants in the field of natural desires, from it will he gather the harvest of death. If he plants in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life. Our choices will determine our consequences. We can choose to live in the Spirit, or choose to live in the flesh (sinful nature), the respective consequences will follow.
V.9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." We should not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap the harvest, if we do not give up. We are encouraged to sow the Spirit, and we should refuse to become discouraged. "Faint" means to weaken or give up. Paul encourages the Galatians to not get tired, but to continue for the reward THAT will come in the end.
V. 10, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." As often as we have the chance, we should do good, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Please provide your interpretation.
2/26/12