Late to post, but here goes a bit of a study into Galatians 5:25-6:10. We didn’t hold class due to special 2018 Rally Day events to kick off our Sunday School and Catechism year, but for those who wanted to dig a little deeper into the conditions of sowing Seeds of Gentle Restoration, here’s a little look…
A Bible Study Guide on
Galatians 5:25-6:10
Part One: The IF/THEN Conditions of Our Walking in the Spirit
A.Read through our Epistle lesson for this week carefully. Highlight or circle every “IF” and “THEN” you find.
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
6:1 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. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 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. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
B.How many do you count? IF _________ THEN _________
C.In our English language, sometimes the word “THEN” is implied and usually understood by a reader without pausing to notice or think about it. It’s how our brain, our language, just works. Consider again Galatians 5:25. Where in the sentence might our mind automatically tend to insert the word ‘THEN’ as we read?
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
D.Scripture’s Many If/Then Statements are ALL Conditional, but not ALL Identical: Some should be read understanding that although the condition is not true, IF it actually were THEN this would result. We call these “Contrary-to-Fact Conditions.” Other “IF” sentences should be read with the understanding that because the “IF” condition actually IS true, THEN a certain consequence clearly follows. We might call those sorts of “IF” statements “Because-of-the-Fact” conditions. One could almost translate these “Since ______, THEN ______.” There are other kinds of conditions, but these two are important for our Galatians verses.
E.Contrary-to-Fact Conditions vs. ‘Because-of-the-Fact-Conditions’:
Consider the example of 1 Corinthians 15:13-14. Would these verses best be described as “Contrary-to-Fact” statements, or “Because-of-the-Fact” statements? In order to answer, ask yourself whether the inspired author believes the “IF” is presumed to be True or False.
v. 13 “But if there is no resurrection from the dead…” True? False?
v.14 “And if Christ has not been raised…” True? False?
The Apostle Paul certainly believes there is such a thing as the resurrection from the dead. Likewise, he believes and preaches that Christ has been raised from the dead. These two verses are examples of “Contrary-to-Fact” Conditional statements, because they presuppose something False.
F. Now, Consider our “IF” statement verse in Galatians 5:25. Does Paul presume the condition is true and describe a “Because-of-the-Fact” condition, or does Paul believe this “IF” statement is false, and describe a “Contrary-to-Fact” condition? Note what Paul already said in Gal. 3:3-5; Gal.4:6; Gal. 5:5. Does the Apostle really question or doubt the Spirit’s presence & work in His hearers?
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
G. Paul presumes the Holy Spirit is at work in those who hear the Gospel he preaches. The Holy Spirit creates faith and preserves faith by the Gospel, “even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith!” (Luther’s Small Catechism, 3rd Article of the Creed)
H. While our English language doesn’t always indicate which kind of conditions are being presented, Paul’s Greek tends to indicate what kind is being set in front of the reader. Paul also uses “Deliberative Conditions,” places where the reader must pause and deliberate on IF the condition is true now in this circumstance or moment. See Gal. 6:1, Gal. 6:3 and Gal. 6:9. These conditions may be true at times, or false at others. One must deliberate on this “IF” and consider whether it’s true right now or not!
Part Two: Scripture Reveals Each One is given Response-Abilities to Love and Serve Others as WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT…
I.Now reread our passage and UNDERLINE places you find “ONE ANOTHER” or “EACH OTHER.” Also, CIRCLE each time you find the words “YOU,” “WE” or “US” below, for Paul includes his believing hearers with himself:
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
6:1 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. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 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. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
J. The Holy Spirit Not Only Calls Each, but Gathers Everyone into Real Communion with Christ & Each Other in the Household of Faith. Consider the meaning of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed from Luther’s Small Catechism:
The Third Article: Sanctification
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean? I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.
This is most certainly true.
K. Working the Verbs: Describe what ACTIONS flow from and follow after God’s gift of true faith and Walking in His Spirit to benefit especially our various siblings in the household of faith?
Read Galatians 5:26
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
If and when we encounter __________________, we believe… (Nicene Creed, 3rd Article), ‘in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life‘ who enables us to avoid: _____________________ __________________________________________________
Read Galatians 6:2
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
If or when we meet someone with a __________________, we believe…’ in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life’ who enables us to
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Read Galatians 6:6
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches
If or when we meet someone God sent to __________________ me, we believe…’in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life’ who enables us to
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Read Galatians 6:10
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
If and when we encounter __________________, we believe…’in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life’ who enables us ESPECIALLY to
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Read Galatians 6:4-5
4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
Because ‘the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life’ has called and gathered me, too, we believe He makes us response-abled to:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Read Galatians 6:1
6:1 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.
Because ‘the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life’ has called and gathered us into our Almighty Father’s household, too, we believe if one is caught in ________ ______________________ He gives us response-abled brothers sent to:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
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