At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”
Discussion Questions:
1) What does Jerusalem represent in these passages? (Consider that Jesus will not die through the instrumentality of Herod, who is purely a political figure in Israel.)
2) How do you understand verse 35?
Discussion Summary:
Jerusalem can refer to the actual city as the seat of political power. An example of this can be found in Jeremiah 26:20-23. Because the Romans were in control of this entire area during Jesus’ day, the focus seems to be on Jerusalem as the seat of religious power. There was only one temple for Jews and that was in Jerusalem. The whole nation was misguided by their religious leaders who prevented them from accepting Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 7:51-53). Jesus was killed in Jerusalem and through the agency of Jerusalem.
In verse 35, the word “house” can refer to the temple in Jerusalem which was the House of God, or it can refer to the entire nation (Hebrews 3:1-6). Jesus prophesied that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1,2) and the city and surrounding area would also be destroyed (Luke 21:20-24). This was fulfilled in 70 CE by Titus the Roman Emperor.
Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
Discussion Questions:
1) What is the current situation amongst the Corinthian brethren that Paul outlines in chapter 1?
What are the positives and negatives?
2) What does Paul say about the wisdom of God contrasted with the wisdom of man?
Discussion Summary:
The Current Situation:
In Acts 18:1-11 we are told how the Apostle Paul founded the Corinthian Ecclesia. The city itself was wealthy and cosmopolitan. The population had a large degree of educated, well-to-do people. The city also had a sophisticated and degenerate side stemming from its Greek temple worship.
The apostle notes the Corinthian brethren’s knowledge of Christ and how the Holy Spirit had given them many outward evidences of this knowledge. They were not following false teachers. However, they were imbalanced in their appreciation of apostles and Christian teachers. They had the spirit of “Who shall be the greatest among us?” (Luke 22:24-27). They were neglecting the Lord’s admonition of the spirit of humility and servitude to be found among his followers (Matthew 23:8-12).
Wisdom Contrasted:
The wisdom of God starts with humility. This wisdom always points to God’s greatness above humans. “Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth” (Jeremiah 9:23,24). For Christians this wisdom begins with an acknowledgement of one’s sinfulness and reliance on Jesus’s salvation and forgiveness of sins.
The wisdom of man starts with pride in education and earthly advantage. It generates arrogance and debate. It divides instead of unites. The weakness of this wisdom will be revealed (Isaiah 29:13-16).
Today we cancelled our regular study in order to join a Canada-wide online meeting. We discussed the various roles the Apostle Paul applied to himself in 1 Corinthians.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Discussion Questions:
Paul continues to paint the picture of what living under the Spirit looks like.
In verses 1-10 he gives a series of spiritual exhortations. How do these exhortations relate to the specific situation in the Galatian churches?
In verses 11-18 how does Paul use Jesus’s manner of death as a symbol for Christians to follow?
Discussion Summary:
Verses 1-10:
Verse 2 speaks of the responsibility that the Galatians had to help each other in their spiritual life. Paul is bearing their burdens and trying to relieve their burdens by correcting their misunderstandings in this letter.
Verse 4 speaks of Paul’s distrust of the motives of these teachers who are trying to put the Galatians back under the law. They are doing it to make themselves look like great teachers. Philippians 2:3,4 is another exhortation to not act from selfish ambition.
Verse 7 is a warning to these false teachers. Their hypocrisy is seen by God and will be brought to light.
Verses 11-18:
In essence, do not water down the Jesus’ death by making it equal to the law in salvation. Paul’s life is an example of how to properly glory in the cross. Verse 17 from the Good News Translation reads: “To conclude: let no one give me anymore trouble, because the scars I have on my body show that I am a slave of Jesus.”
He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Discussion Questions:
1) Who was Jesus referring to when he first spoke these words during his first advent?
2) Do these have application during the Gospel Age or Gospel Age harvest?
Discussion Summary:
Reading verse 27 literally, we see that Jesus is referring to the people throughout Galilee and Judea that he preached to. This would include the religious leaders of his day (Scribes, Pharisees, Doctors of the Law) and the common people. There is a parallel passage in Matthew 8:5-13 where Jesus says of the Roman Centurion, “No one in Israel have I found such faith.”
The door of access and opportunity is controlled by Jesus (Revelation 3:7). The nation of Israel lost their opportunity to obtain the promise of inheritance as described in Romans 11:7.
We too can assume that we are Christians and therefore will automatically inherit the promises of God. But this assumption can lead to a condition of pride and a lack of conscientiousness. We must ask ourselves: Do my words and actions line up with God’s word and with each other? Are we living as Jesus asks us to live? The lesson of these verses is that we can’t go on pretending forever!
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Discussion Questions:
Dear brethren, I know that there are many different ways to divide chapters 5 and 6 and there are many things to talk about in these chapters. But our objective during this study is to get an overview of what chapter 5 is about.
I see in this chapter that Paul is contrasting three ways of living:
1) living under the Law (which the Gentile Galatians are starting to adopt)
2) living under the flesh (which the false teachers are saying will result if the Galatians don’t put themselves under the Law
3) living under the Spirit (which Paul is urging the Galatians to continue doing)
So, for our discussion questions, we would like to explore these three ways of living:
Verses 1-12: What is the inevitable result of living under the Law?
Verses 13-21: What is the inevitable result of living under the flesh?
Verses 22–26: What is the inevitable result of living under the Spirit?
Discussion Summary:
Verses 1-12: Christians living under the Law are unable to keep it fully and would be condemned by sin. Jesus’ forgiveness of sin would not be the central feature of their lives. Instead, keeping from sin by obedience to the law would be the central feature of their lives.
Paul also reminds the Galatians that he did “preach” circumcision when he had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3), but it was not to replace the cross. Rather it was done as an aid to gospel preaching to Jewish people.
Verses 13-21: Christians who are still living after the flesh are not confined by outward laws or rules that are agreed upon. The result is that each person’s idea becomes a law unto themselves giving everyone a reason to argue. Love is easily forgotten.
Verses 22-26: Christians who live under the Spirit are liberated from both the Law and the flesh. The spirit will compel them to develop characteristics that are Christ-like. These Christians will imitate Christ’s sacrifice of himself and will give up their preferences in the interests of others. They will become a positive influence in the lives of other Christians.
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
Discussion Questions:
How does Jesus in verses 18 and 19, using the grain of mustard seed, describe the kingdom of God?
In verses 20 and 21, what does the illustration of the leaven and the measures of flour reveal about the kingdom of God?
Discussion Summary:
Verses 18,19: The kingdom of God as begun in Jesus’ ministry would grow over the centuries until eventually it fills the earth (Isaiah 61:11; Habakkuk 2:14) Many of the symbols of this parable can be found in Ezekiel 17:22-24.
There is also a negative perspective of this parable. The kingdom of God as begun in Jesus’ ministry was corrupted over time and became powerful and aligned to the kings of this world as Christendom. This can be found in Matthew 13:24-30.
Verses 19,20: The Kingdom of God starts small and grows through a hidden, transformative process. This can be seen in a positive way through the lives of Christians (Colossians 3:3). This can also be seen in a negative way when leaven is viewed as sin (1 Corinthians 5:6,7; Luke 12:1). Revelation contrasts the pure virgin church of Revelation 12:1 to the great harlot of Revelation 17:1-6.
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything,but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.” Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
Discussion Question:
In chapter 4 Paul has three thought sections:
Verses 1-7 where he describes how both Jews and Gentiles come out of slavery to the freedom of sonship.
Verses 8-20 where he discusses their past and present relationship with him
Verses 21-31 where he gives an allegory from the Old Testament
What points does Paul make in each section?
Discussion Summary:
Verses 1-7: These gentile Christians were once heathens. Their lives were governed by “the elements of the cosmos.” For example, stars, horoscopes, temple calendars of sacrifice dictated their worship. Paul asks if now that they have been made free from those powers do they want to put themselves back under outside influences that dictate their worship? The Mosaic law prescribes when and where one sacrifices and prays. Christians are supposed to worship freely in Spirit and Truth (John 4:19-24).
Verses 8-20: Paul uses the example of Abraham and his wives to make an allegory. The first wife to have children was a slave and so her child did not have full rights of inheritance. The second wife to have a child was free and so her child had full rights of inheritance. Paul equates Christians to the second child of Abraham.
Verses 21-31: Paul quotes the prophesy in Isaiah 54:1 to show that the second child was more blessed of God. He explains that Christians are more blessed because of the freedom that they have in Christ.
