Galatians 5 …. line upon line

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free (from man-made traditions or religions) and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (the traditions of paganism; the Oral-Law of tradition; the Mishnah or Pharisaic law)

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labor^[1] and are heavy laden^[2], and I will give you rest. Take my yoke^[3] upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest^[4] unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

1. G2872 κοπιάω kopiao (ko-piy-aō’) v. to be weary, fatigued
2. G5412 φορτίζω phortizo (for-tiy’-zō) v. to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety).
3. G2218 ζυγός zugos (zï-ğos’) n. servitude to a law or obligation.
4. G373 ἀναπαύω anapauo (a-na-pav’-ō) v. to be exempt, to remain.

² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised (converting to Judaism – following the traditions of Pharisaic law), Christ shall profit you nothing.

³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised (converting or keeping orthodox Judaism), that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (using circumcision for salvation)

⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you (those focused on law for salvation), whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (avoiding salvation by grace to follow the law for salvation)

Romans 9:30-32 “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained (came to faith) to the law of righteousness.Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;”

They walked away from YHWH – Ezekiel 20:16 “Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.”

They could not accept Yeshua: John 1:10-11 “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

⁵ For we, through the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Hebrews 3:18-19 “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

• This covers two distinct areas of life. Salvation is number one. Paul is telling us that it does not matter what our physical appearance or status of conversion may be… it is the moment we commit to Christ in faith that our salvation is made manifest. Our behavior – post salvation is to be based out of Love to God, for his redemption. Our actions are not being done for an obligation to meet requirements of salvation or membership, nor as those set by men. It is the signal for Yeshua to join your battle against the flesh in your submission to His word.
• 1 Peter 2:7-8 “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

⁷ Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (you were on the right path and now someone has convinced you to return to the old ways)

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.)(Stop worrying about the traditions and focus on the promises through the commands {Torah} of God

1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”

⁸ This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. (this persuasion to return to Judaism or paganism is not from God, but from the men seeking to control you – the Pharisees or a government.)

⁹ A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (false doctrine spreads quickly)

• Matthew 16:11-12 “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
• Mark 7:5-9 “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”

¹⁰ I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth (rile, agitate) you (The ‘circumcision party’ & paganism) shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

¹¹ And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision (conversion to Judaism), why do I yet suffer persecution? (He is telling people to keep the law [Rom 3.31] and yet the circumcision party is still after Paul) then is the offence of the cross ceased.

{(Romans 4:8-12 “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute (to take an inventory) sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. (This specifically points to the fact that Abraham was considered righteous before he had circumcised himself.) How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. (Paul is speaking of Abrahams outwardly appearance compared to his actual heart condition) (Have you stopped to consider Abraham was not a Jew or an Israelite, but was a Gentile, and was called by God to be His servant and was considered righteous by God BEFORE Jesus Christ and the New Testament?) Genesis 11:31 Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. [From the beginning of time God planned salvation for “Gentiles” (which means Goyim in Hebrew or Nations) and that the Israelites were actually established through this “Gentile” named Abram.]  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: (Salvation comes when the heart attaches its belief in YHWH and his ability to forgive sins and as a result of the gratitude for our pardon we in turn display that gratitude in the baptism, or circumcision, or feasts, or Torah observance. These are all outwards signs of an inward change.)  And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. (Salvation and righteousness and grace are open to all manner of mankind.)}

¹² I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Some of the Pharisees were accusing Paul of denying the Torah and some were accusing Paul of teaching the traditions and Paul is so fed up with all the clamor that he says they both cannot be true and that he is tired of hearing about it

Acts 7:51 “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” Paul is telling us circumcision /converting sinful behaviour, will happen as a matter of the heart change AFTER salvation.

Genesis 17:14 “And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.”

¹³ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty*; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh (opportunity to be sinful), but by love serve one another**.

*(freedom from [legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial] behavior; **this includes the service to YHVH

¹⁴ For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled (living out) in one word (shma), even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

• Paul is retelling exactly what Yeshua said in Matthew 22:36-40 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (this is the one word – one Torah) This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
• Every single commandment tell us how to love YHWH and how to love His people.
• Leviticus 19:18 “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the Lord.”

¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (Fighting about the topics the jealous Pharisees or religions have created.)

• 1 Corinthians 7:18-19 “Is any man called :being circumcised? G4059: let him not :become uncircumcised G1986:. Is any called in :uncircumcision? G203: let him not be :circumcised G4059:. Circumcision G4061 is nothing, and uncircumcision G203 is nothing, but (therefor) the keeping of the commandments of God.”) (G4059 περιτέμνω peritemno (pe-riy-tem’-nō) v. to cut around. G1986 ἐπισπάομαι epispaomai (e-piy-spa’-o-mai) v.to draw over, i.e. efface the mark of circumcision (by recovering with the foreskin). G203 ἀκροβυστία akrobustia (a-kro-ɓï-stiy’-a) n. unregenerate state or person. G4061 περιτομή peritome (pe-riy-to-mee’) n. the physical condition of the people.) (If the people in the debate over circumcision are already circumcised they do not need to be drawn into the debate. Only those that are uncircumcised need to be seeking the truth of the matter.)
• Romans 12:18-19 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

¹⁶ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust* of the flesh.

*yearning for things forbidden

• Matthew 12:18 “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.”
• Luke 11:13 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
• Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth (fierce indignation) against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the another: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (this is a war like property of the mind)

• Romans 8:8 “So then they that are in the flesh (rooted in the fallen manner of mankind) cannot please God.”
• 1 John 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
• Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit (by the urging of right relationship with YHWH), ye are not under* the law.

*Pressured by a sense of obligation to be obedience to secure salvation. The point here is this – the person willing to fully submit to the leadership of YHVH will only behave in such a way as to fulfil Torah. It’s not something they are going to need a handout or pamphlet at their side to accomplish. The spirit will never lead you to break the Torah.

Romans 7:15-16 “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

**(Romans 8:3-7 For what the law (Torah) could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh (we were incapable in our own strength to fulfil the instructions), God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (ended the disobedience of Torah by using the fleshly body and a completely free spirit focused on living within the Torah.) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Christ’s death and resurrection are completed within a perfect life lived. 1 John 3:5 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” Therefore the curse of flesh being incapable of eternal life is remedied. The ONLY way to pay for sins of the flesh is the blood of the innocent. Yeshua’s innocent life qualifies and his blood shed on the cross is therefore carried to the heavenly altar and atones for our sins.) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Those that seek the “letter” of the Torah in sacrifices and rituals or self-works of salvation, verses, those that seek the relationship to YHWH via the works of Yeshua. It is YHWH’s goal to deliver us [by His mighty hand and outstretched arms] from evil and not for our own actions to bring about Salvation.) For to be carnally minded (bodily, temporal or worldly) is death; but to be spiritually minded (seeking that which pleases YHWH) is life and peace. Because the carnal mind (basic human nature) is enmity (opposed) against God: for it is not subject to the law (Torah) of God, neither indeed can be.)

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest (it is easy to see the things that are contrary to YHWH and the law), which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations (wranglings), wrath, strife (creating factions), seditions, heresies, (denominations)

²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

• It is easy to pick out the difference between those that do not follow God and those that will follow God, the circumcision of the flesh doesn’t change a mans heart, only God can do that.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

• Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”
• Proverbs 31:26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
• 2 Chronicles 35:26 “Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord”
• Psalm 33:4-5 “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”
• Ephesians 5:9 “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth”

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no (ruling, prohibitive) law.

• Psalm 119:142 “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.”
• Psalm 119:138 “Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.”
• Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words [Torah] were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”
• John 15:10-11 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
• Psalm 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.”
• Psalm 119:172 “My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”

²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

• Romans 8:9-10 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. (Holy Spirit) Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
• Matthew 5:19 “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
• 1 John 5:2-5,10 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” And if Christ be in you, the body (flesh) is dead because of sin; but the Spirit (eternal body) is life because of righteousness.

²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory (self-conceited), provoking (irritating) one another, envying (being jealous) one another.

• Exodus 20:17 “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
• 2 Peter 3:14-17 “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (spots and blame come from breaking Torah) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him (the knowledge of Torah [Psalm 111:10]) hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.”
• Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”