Well, I finally got through a book in the estimated reading time! Fancy that - 13 chapters in the last book was meant to be half an hour, and now this book with less than half the chapters is the same time, with fewer tongue twisters! So yes, half an hour was comfortable to read through this one.
Interesting comic style cartoon there, trying to sum up the thoughts of the letter - I also liked the summary of the context and background of the letter in the link with the cartoon - it summed it up nicely. The first link, though very thorough, felt more like a full session in itself just trying to follow the various thoughts and possibilities on the setting of the letter. Certainly good for an in-depth study on the topic, but perhaps not so good for light reading to get a bit of background before reading the book through.
We have quite a strong and simple theme running throughout the book. He is defending the gospel. (Here gospel refers to the good news preached, not the four first books of the New Testament specifically). The letter was written soon after the Jerusalem council (Acts 15), and there were a lot of people still teaching either that you were saved through the Mosaic law, or that after salvation, everyone had to obey the full Mosaic law. Paul shows how wrong both of these positions are - going through the logical fallacy behind it, referring to the teaching of Christ Himself - how He rejected these teachings, and using Israel's initial history to teach how wrong it is. Whereas Romans was a letter to ground the recipients in the true gospel, this letter is written to those already being influenced by those teaching a false one.
Paul gets into it straight-away after the greeting, using strong language to show the severity of this issue, twice repeating a curse on anyone distorting the gospel. The quick repetition is another way of showing how serious this is. He shows how he himself used to be part of the fanatical followers of the Mosaic law, but how he was brought out of that, not by the law, but by grace. He received his teaching directly from God (see the reference to Arabia, which we learnt more about in the last letter). He did not receive his teaching primarily from other apostles, although he did confirm he was preaching the same gospel as the other of God's apostles, when he met them. He was accepted, and commissioned by them, and they agreed with him on the matter that the outward sign of circumcision was not necessary for the Gentiles.
He then relates the occasion where he has to rebuke Peter openly for participating in the error of treating the Gentiles as unclean. Since Peter was a leader, sinning openly, his rebuke had to be public also, to limit the damage - note though not recorded here explicitly, it is implied Peter repented, and this is confirmed by Peter when he mentions the topic in his epistle. This incident leads Paul on to an exposition of how the gospel cannot be, in any part, based on salvation by works - it is both logically false, and would condemn Christ too, as He taught that nothing outward could make you unclean, only the inward.
Having started by grace, we cannot claim to then be perfected by the law, as if the law can get us to righteousness, now our justification is taken care of. No, we begin in faith, and go on in faith. He shows how the law and faith are opposite in their character and their results - one leads to life, the other to death. The history of Israel began based on faith - the law came later, added to limit transgression until Christ fulfilled the promise made to Abraham. Let no one think that the law and the promise are contrary in purpose though! They work together to fulfil the plan of God.
Paul now begins expounding our character as free men through faith. We are all equal in Christ, and are sons/daughters of God. Paul uses an example of children being brought up under a guardian (governor/governess/nanny depending on your culture). This guardian was the law, necessary until Christ came, but now we are 'of age' and released from the strictures of the law, receiving our full status (graciously granted by God) as sons/daughters and heirs. For those coming from idolatrous backgrounds, he exhorts (strongly encourages) them not to go back, nor to place any trust in observing ceremonies or rituals to save them. He reminds them of their joy when they first heard the gospel preached. Looking to an analogy with Hagar and Sarah, he shows the difference between the slave and the free. The slavery of the law is unprofitable - we are free in Christ. He again exhorts them to remember the truth preached to them, and not to listen to false prophets.
But what are we to do with this freedom? Should we enjoy the pleasures of the flesh because we are no longer under the law? NO!!! Freedom's purpose is to love one another - the love that was the standard of the law. We are led by the Spirit now, not the flesh - it is the law that is associated with the flesh - and the law condemns the works of the flesh. We now are in the Spirit and have been empowered by the Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit, such things that the law cannot produce. Only those who have come in true repentance, crucifying (binding, restricting any action of, and dealing a death blow to) the flesh belong to Christ and have received the Spirit - how can we return to the flesh?
If someone does slip up and fall to the temptations of the flesh, do not condemn him, but bear him up in love, knowing that we can all fall to such temptations - the person who thinks himself more immune to temptation is actually more susceptible! As we learn, so must we teach. And there are consequences for our actions, good and bad - not karma, but by the grace and the justice of God.
Paul concludes noting that even the false teachers themselves cannot keep the law that they try to enslave others too - stay away from them, and boast in Christ. Outward signs mean nothing, we are created new inwardly.
Christ, our gracious Saviour, may we ever uphold the truth and worth of the good news that You died to save us. Not of anything we have done, not by works, following the law, or keeping feasts, but entirely of You. Lord we thank you for Your Holy Spirit, working in our lives to produce fruit pleasing to You. Help us to live out the love You have filled us with, towards those around us. May we pass on the teaching that we have learned that more may hear of the great news of salvation, free to all men/women everywhere! Lord, we honour and adore You for what You have done. We stand in awe. Blessed be Your Name for ever and Evermore, Amen.
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