Can One Be Too Eternally-Minded? “He’s so heavenly-minded that he’s no earthly good.”

GALATIANS

Galatians Theme New life in Christ through the Spirit by grace according to faith versus vain striving in the flesh to merit God’s acceptance according to the elemental principles of the world, including legalism in all its forms.

Ch 3-4: Grace-Faith versus Law-Works A. 3:1-9The Preeminence of Faith B. 3:10-14The Curse of Works C. 3:15-18The Precedent of Promise D. 3:19-25The Purpose of the Law E. 3:26-4:7Sons and Heirs through Christ F. 4:8-18The Emptiness of Legalism G. 4:19-31Law and Grace Cannot Coexist

False Teachers Ron Merryman  First: divisive influence that destroys the convert’s confidence in the true minister of the Word  Second: eager, zealous, aggressive courting by the false teacher  Third: captivation of the minds of believers, so that they completely depend on the false teachers to think for them (false teachers make you dependent on them)  Fourth: dictation by the false teacher (relative to assurance of salvation, the do’s and don’ts, doctrine, etc.)

Zeal Ron Merryman “Paul did not claim exclusive rights on the affection and identity of his converts. He was happy when others successfully ministered in their midst, so long as their zeal was healthy. Paul did not dominate believers nor did he leave with them the impression that he was the only teacher in the body of Christ. Cultist-type leaders and false teachers often see themselves as the high priests of hermeneutics and the sole dictators of doctrine—their goal is mind control.”

Ch 3-4: Grace-Faith versus Law-Works A. 3:1-9The Preeminence of Faith B. 3:10-14The Curse of Works C. 3:15-18The Precedent of Promise D. 3:19-25The Purpose of the Law E. 3:26-4:7Sons and Heirs through Christ F. 4:8-18The Emptiness of Legalism G. 4:19-31Law and Grace Cannot Coexist

Galatians 4: I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain. 12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? 17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,

“little children” tekni,on (TEKNION)

“little children” tekni,on (TEKNION) Vine’s: “It is a term of affection by a teacher to his disciples under circumstances requiring a tender appeal.” It “is used only figuratively…and always in the plural”

“little children” tekni,on (TEKNION) Vine’s: “It is a term of affection by a teacher to his disciples under circumstances requiring a tender appeal.” It “is used only figuratively…and always in the plural” John 13:33 1 John 2:1,12,28; 3:7,18; 4:4; 5:21

“formed” morfo,w (MORPHOŌ)

“form” morfh, (MORPHĒ)

“form” Philippians 2:6-7Gifford “morphē is therefore properly the nature or essence, not in the abstract, but as actually subsisting in the individual, and retained as long as the individual itself exists. … Thus in the passage before us morphē Theou is the Divine nature actually and inseparably subsisting in the Person of Christ. … The true meaning of morphē in the expression ‘form of God’ is confirmed by its recurrence in the corresponding phrase ‘form of a servant.’ It is universally admitted that the two phrases are directly antithetical, and that ‘form’ must therefore have the same sense in both.”

“formed” morfo,w (MORPHOŌ) Vine “refers, not to the external and transient, but to the inward and real; it is used in Gal. 4:19, expressing the necessity of a change in character and conduct to correspond with inward spiritual condition, so that there may be moral conformity to Christ”

Galatians 4:20 Howard Vos “It is hard to know exactly how their situation is when you must go on hearsay, and it is usually much more difficult to deal with a problem in writing than in person. If he were present he could change his tone of voice, either to suit the needs of the situation or change from condemnation to praise. ‘For I stand in doubt of you’ indicates distress of mind…in knowing how to deal with the Galatians, whether firmly or gently, to bring them back to the standards of faith and grace.”