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Righteous by faith
Luther's Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians explained

DEN HERTOG – HOUTEN

© 2016 Den Hertog B.V., Houten

ISBN 978 90 331 2799 1

@ copyrights: www.bibleandbookministry.com
For free distribution only!
 EVERT BARTEN

RIGHTEOUS
BY
FAITH
Luther's Commentary
on the Epistle
to the Galatians
explained
 Table of contents

Preface............................................................................................................................................5

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................8

Introduction to Luther......................................................................................................................10

Galatians 1.....................................................................................................................................15

Galatians 2.....................................................................................................................................34

Galatians 3.....................................................................................................................................66

Galatians 4...................................................................................................................................109

Galatians 5...................................................................................................................................133

Galatians 6...................................................................................................................................155

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Preface experiential understanding about justification by
faith alone. Begin at the beginning, and crawl
Try as you might, you can only become righteous through the epistle to the Galatians with Luther.
before God by faith. That is the essence of Text by text, verse by verse. It will even benefit
Luther’s message. And he would have known. your knowledge of the Bible.
The reformer had tortured himself to become
saved, but it did not help at all. You probably Luther’s commentary is an explanation of what
know the anecdotes about his life. the apostle Paul has written to the congregation
Luther then strove against the supposition that a in Galatia. You know that Luther was one of the
person could still contribute something towards reformers, which you will also notice time and
his salvation. A doctrine that is still very much again in his book. He responds to so-called
alive these days. Undoubtedly you sometimes papists, but also to sophists (otherwise called
come into contact with people who insist that schoolmen) and other movements of his time.
you also have to do something toward it. Accept, For this project I have consciously chosen to
believe, be loving … skip all these diversions, although you will still
But in his exposition of the Bible book Galatians, find some reference to them. Our studies are
Luther continuously hammers away on one based on the publication Verklaring van de
theme: you can only be saved by faith in the brief aan de Galaten (Exposition of the letter
Lord Jesus Christ. There is nothing, absolutely to the Galatians), translated by G.P Sandberg
nothing of yourself that can contribute towards and H. Schoonderwoerd, from the German
it. publication of Dr. Hermann Kleinknecht (Den
Hertog Houten, third edition, 2003).1 If you have
Do you find this difficult to accept? That is a different English version at home (than the
understandable because there is nothing more one suggested in the footnote), then the page
difficult for any person. Being saved through numbers will not always agree.
free grace alone is not agreeable to you and me.
We so badly want to do something toward it. A
suggestion: maybe it would be good if you would 1 A good English source is in the public domain, and we
read Luther’s book once, to become familiar with have modified the page numbers to agree with this text.
I J Chidley, London, publisher, Commentary on the Epistle
what is genuinely Luther. To get a taste of his
to the Galatians, By Martin Luther

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Why produce a revision of a book which salvation. No other persons, such as saints,
already exists? Have you already read Luther’s bishops, or Mary. No extra helpers are required:
commentary once? Read it entirely? If that is the your sins are forgiven, and you can receive
case, then you may certainly lay this book aside. peace with God, only through Christ and his
If not, then this project will help you to discover death on the cross.
the gold of Luther. Through this simplified Soli Deo gloria: the glory to God alone
version, I hope you will also get a desire to read This describes the thankfulness for the great
the original once. deliverance and the gifts of God. What those
Luther’s theology agrees with the five points are? His Word, His grace, our faith, and the
of the reformation. To somewhat refresh your greatest Gift: His own dear Son. “For God so
memory, they are briefly listed here: loved the world …” John 3:16. No human may
Sola Scriptura: Scripture only receive the honor for that. That thanksgiving,
Only the Bible is the Word of God, which must honor and worship are only meant for God.
be accessible for everyone. The reading and
interpretation of the Bible is an indispensable These five points are encountered repeatedly
component of this. when you begin to read this book. That is why
Sola Gratia: through grace alone it is so remarkable that this book first appeared
Only Christ’s death on the cross can provide at the beginning of the Reformation anniversary
for forgiveness. No indulgences, no priests, no year 2017.
pope. It is gratia: pure grace.
Sola Fide: through faith alone First of all, I wish to express heartfelt thanks to
This belongs inextricably to the above. Adriaan Bouman, editor of the publishing house
Protestants confess that only Christ can forgive Den Hertog, for his trust and guidance during the
sins and provide deliverance. Of course, this writing of this book. Each occasion I made contact
does not only involve outward knowledge. At with him, became an added incentive for me to
issue is the firm trust in your heart: that is true continue. The same also applies to proofreader
faith. So: not good works, but faith makes you Jan van’t Hul, a colleague at the Reformatorisch
righteous. Dagblad and elder of the Netherlands Reformed
Solus Christus: Christ alone Congregation in Beekbergen. I want to thank
Only Christ is necessary for our deliverance and him for the careful proofreading and for the

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times when he cautioned me against using
overly contemporary language.

I also thank Rev. C. Harinck, emeritus minister

of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations,
who was willing to endorse this project with an
introduction.

But, as the fifth point of the Reformation teaches:

to God alone be the glory. Because without
Him this book would not have existed. He gave
strength, health, perseverance. My prayer and
desire is that He will also give His blessing upon
the reading of it. And that the title of this book
may become reality in your life. Because then it
is truly: Soli Deo gloria.

Apeldoorn, June 2016 Evert Barten

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Introduction … readers, it may be difficult to appreciate such
expressions, but this is typical of Luther.
Evert Barten has earned his stripes in
retranslating and explaining classical Ultimately, Righteous by Faith is and remains
theological works. I have noticed that young a retelling of another man’s exposition. It is
people understand this modernized style of almost impossible to render some of Luther’s
presentation. This often opens up a new world expressions with their original vitality. Therefore
for them. Upon reading these adaptations, they I hope that this publication will motivate people
reacted: “I never realized that these books to start reading Luther’s Commentary on
contained such treasures and that they are so Galatians itself. Nothing compares to accessing
applicable to us today”. In this way, they become the original, of course. Actually, Evert Barten
interested in Biblically reliable authors. This is a consistently strives to use his books as a
reason for joy in an age marked by shallowness, stepping stone towards the reading of Luther’s
inconsistent views, and insufficient knowledge original work. Luther himself considered his
of Biblical doctrines. commentary on Galatians to be one of his
best explanations of the doctrine of grace. He
Because of the 500th anniversary of the affectionately called it my Catherine of Bora.
Reformation (in 2017), it was a good decision Luther had already lectured about the Epistle
to once again rouse the reader’s attention for to the Galatians to his students at Wittenberg
Luther’s Commentary on the Epistle to the as early as 1516 and 1517. That makes this
Galatians. While reading this adaptation, I was work one of his earliest writings. He also saw
struck by the fresh, daring explanations of Luther this commentary as his first assault against the
and his sometimes unpolished expressions. heresy of trusting in human works for salvation.
Evert Barten had a thorough understanding This conflict is closely related to our search for
of the key concepts in Luther’s commentary. a gracious God. That is the primary issue Luther
His rendition reflects the very spirit of Martin wanted to develop in this commentary. Luther’s
Luther. Forceful everyday terms and examples answer is drastic, but it is faithful and true. We
arouse the reader’s interest, exactly as Luther can only find this God as a sinner who is guilty
himself did in his commentary. Sometimes this and condemnable before Him, but who grasps
comes across as crude or inelegant. For some hold of Jesus Christ by faith.

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I desire that every reader will know the profound
awareness of his lost state, leading to a
knowledge of the gracious God in Jesus Christ,
which so characterizes this publication.

Kapelle, August 2016

Rev. C. Harinck

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Introduction to Luther Such as?
The fear of God, true religion, the honor of God,
Is a detailed explanation of the Bible book and the correct knowledge of how everything
Galatians actually needed? fits together. And therefore, it is good to also
Yes, it certainly is. Even if you already knew take up this epistle to the Galatians, in order to
everything about Paul and his epistles. There explain everything, verse by verse. As a saying
is a great danger which is alive and kicking, goes: When you have finished it all, you start at
namely the devil. He does all he can to destroy the front again.
the pure doctrine of this epistle. He wants you
to believe that it can also be done differently. What is the content of this epistle?
That you can still do something towards your Paul establishes a number of things with
own salvation yourself. That is why it is essential unwavering certainty. He confirms the doctrines
for you to attentively read this book of Luther, of faith, of grace, and of the forgiveness of
and naturally also the letter from Paul to the sins. You could also refer to it as the doctrine
Galatians. Likewise, you must attend church of Christian righteousness. He does this to
in order to hear this doctrine explained, and to teach you the difference between this divine
continue to hear it. righteousness and all other types which exist.
This roughly comprises two groups.
So, must I continue to read this repeatedly? In the first place: A civil righteousness or
Time and again; because the devil is alive. The obedience. This includes the rules and laws
more you know about this doctrine, the more imposed by those who are in authority over you,
fiercely he will attack you. Besides this, your which you may not violate in your daily life. Here
own heart is totally corrupt, and temptations you must think especially of your parents and
from the world are also aimed at you from all teachers, as well as the ecclesiastical and civil
sides. Wherever the pure doctrine of the gospel authorities. These are all people who, rightly or
disappears, all knowledge goes lost. But if wrongly, prescribe rules and laws for you.
you defend this doctrine, then all its goodness In the second place: The obedience to the Ten
resurfaces. Commandments of God, which Moses teaches
you. Our teaching must not begin with that. If

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things are right in your life, obedience to this law righteousness, you will stumble and fall. And
arises out of faith in Christ. So, this obedience that is why it is so necessary for you to hear
must be a fruit of faith. That simply cannot be about it, time and again. So that you meditate
any other way, because a person cannot keep upon it repeatedly. There is no better means
the law of God perfectly. by which to comfort your conscience than this
These are the two types of righteousness righteousness, however difficult it may be to
that cannot save you. The third kind of understand it.
righteousness is able to do that, however.
And that is what the epistle to the Galatians is Well, I am often scared and anxious in my
about: the righteousness of faith, or Christian conscience, just because I do not live correctly.
righteousness. Then, like so many Christians, you are still
looking to your own works to suffice. Then
Is that so different from the other two just you think: “Oh, oh, what a mess I have made
mentioned? of it again. I will improve my lifestyle; do things
Oh yes, there is a world of difference between better than before.” You know, this tendency of
them. You can do something towards the first looking at that ghost of self-righteousness is in
two yourself. You can abide by the rules, to your blood. And you cannot free yourself from it,
a greater or lesser extent. But in Christian no matter what you try.
righteousness, your works count for nothing at
all. That is why you can call this an inactive, or a But then how do I obtain that Christian
passive, righteousness. You do nothing and you righteousness?
give nothing: you only receive. Someone else There is not a single hope for you unless you
works, namely God! accept the promise of God and make it your own
by faith. That promise, offered to you in Christ,
That is truly difficult to understand. is truly the Christian righteousness. Then you
For unbelievers, it is even incomprehensible. But make no more attempts at improving yourself,
even as a Christian, you can only understand a even though you realize and acknowledge that
little of it. Or else, you may not be able to make you should indeed be obedient to God. But you
good use of it when you are being assaulted in know this: even if I were obedient, even then I
your faith. Because: without a clear view of this could not appear before God with that obedience.

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No, then you throw away all those exertions to understand it. The law exists for the sake of
of yours and cast yourself upon the passive the old nature, your sinful heart. It must carry
righteousness: grace, mercy, and forgiveness as much weight as possible in order to not live
of sins. That represents the righteousness of carelessly. Righteousness, grace, the promises;
Christ and of the Holy Spirit. these are for the new nature. The law no longer
has a hold upon such a person, see Romans
I need not do anything towards that? 6:14.
You do not earn this righteousness, but it is given
or imputed to you. You do not have it, but you If I am converted, must I not still do good works?
receive it from God the Father, through Jesus That is certainly true, but that can only be done if
Christ. Believe it: you can do nothing towards you are a new person. And even then: these good
this. No more so than dry earth can itself see works are not a component of the righteousness
to it that it becomes wet with rain again. That of faith, of which you have just read. Because
moisture also has to be given: it has to come that is heavenly, while good works stem, as it
from above. That is also how it is with this were, from earthly righteousness. These only
Christian righteousness. become fruitful if they are sprinkled with divine
Do you know what a Christian’s greatest wisdom righteousness.
is? To know nothing anymore of needing to
serve the law and of producing your own works. Am I to literally do nothing to obtain that divine
Strange, right? To learn to have nothing to do righteousness?
with the law anymore. Nothing at all. It is not the work you do, but the
work of Christ. He sits at the right hand of His
So, I may entirely forget the law? Father, as the Bondsman2. If you receive this
Oh no, certainly not. Because without the righteousness, He becomes your High Priest,
knowledge of the law you will never long for your Bondsman, your King, who reigns over
grace. You must distance yourself from it, but you. And you know what? Then you no longer
meanwhile, you cannot do without it. If you are
still a worldly person, you understand nothing
2 The concept here is: a person who posts bail for you,
of this at all. But if you come to know about an making him liable if you fail to appear in court. But here
old and a new nature, only then do you begin Christ has posted bail before the Father towards the day
of judgment.

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commit sin.
I don’t believe that. God’s children commit sin The difference is clear to me now.
too. Are you sure? Understanding and explaining
Not when they keep their eye focused on this this is not so hard yet. But what matters is that
Christ. Then there is truly no sin because there you also experience and feel this distinction.
is no law there. And without law there is no Because, count on it, these two look much alike
transgression; see Romans 4:15. No law? Then when you become spiritually confused. That is
there is also no sin, no sorrow, no remorse. why it remains necessary to read about it, to
Whosoever is born of God (…) cannot sin …, think it over, and to pray for it; so that you can
1 John 3:9. Trust me: when a child of God sins, fall back on this divine righteousness whenever
faith is not active. you feel that your faith is being challenged.
It is the new man who cannot sin. That person
repeatedly casts his eye on the righteousness Why especially in difficult times?
of Christ. Yes, the old person is a sinner. He has Because the devil especially tries to make you
earned death and is accused by the law. anxious by coming at you with the demands of
the law, when you are already having a difficult
How long does that “double” life with the old and time. By letting you see the filth of your sins. By
the new man last? showing that you have totally messed up your
Your entire life. The new man will obtain the life. By holding hell and the judgment of God
victory only when you die. Not through you, before your eyes. In short: by bringing you to
but through Christ. That is the core essence of despair and drawing you away from Christ.
the letter to the Galatians, which Paul wrote. He uses the Bible for this. There are plenty of
So that you may obtain a knowledge of this texts in the Bible where Jesus points you to
righteousness of faith, and so that you may learn your duties. So, then the devil does this as well.
that there are only two kinds of righteousness: And then, if you do not know that Christ is your
a heavenly and an earthly. Have you lost the Righteousness, then He is not your Savior, but
heavenly? Then you automatically succumb to your Lawgiver.
the earthly righteousness. Then you will again
be under the demands of the law. Not the grace So, in the life of a believer, must the law remain
of Christ, but the law then rules over you. within certain boundaries?

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Exactly! It may not burden your conscience with
accusations of sin, because the righteousness
of faith has authority there. Ultimately, that
would cost you the joy in Christ. Then just say
to the law: “You only have authority over the old
man, so stay within your boundaries. I will not
permit you to rule over my conscience like a
cruel tyrant, because that is the throne of Christ,
the Son of God. He is my King of righteousness
and peace, my precious Keeper and Mediator.”
If you have this righteousness within you, you
can do your work every day. At school, at work,
in your family: wherever. Obedient to everyone
who is set over you, even if these are people
who you consider to be less pleasant.

Thus far the brief contents of the epistle to the

Galatians, written by the apostle Paul.

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 best. So, it is not strange at all if the world hates
Chapter 1 this gospel and calls it a rebellious heresy,
which it even compares to the most gruesome
1:1 Paul, an apostle, called (not of men, sicknesses.
neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God
the Father, who raised him from the dead). Does the devil also have such a hatred towards
the gospel?
Why did Paul write this epistle to the Galatians? What would you expect! If this good tiding
It is good that you pose this question first before destroys his kingdom, knocks his weapons
you proceed to read more about the interpretation (the law, sin, and death) out of his hands, and
of the above text. Paul had preached the pure frees his prisoners from the darkness in which
doctrine of the gospel and of the justifying power he had imprisoned them; is it not logical then
of faith to this congregation. But he was barely that the devil is furious? He truly grasps at every
gone before people tried to twist his words. possibility imaginable to destroy this doctrine of
What was behind this? Nothing and no one less salvation, healing, and everlasting life.
than the devil. That evil spirit cannot rest as long
as a single spark of this doctrine still remains What does this have to do with the congregation
in a congregation. You need not be amazed if at Galatia?
you are attacked from left and right when you Paul saw that exactly this was happening in the
defend this pure gospel. Be alert, because the congregation of Galatia. What he had built up
devil will come after you for this. Besides, the with great effort, others were just as energetically
world wants nothing to do with it either. tearing down again. Do not think that these were
random persons either. This involved persons
What is so wrong with this gospel then? After all, who were highly respected among the ordinary
is it not a glad tiding? people, and who were listened to reverently.
Yes, surely. But the gospel is radically opposite “Are we not the holy, chosen people of God?
to the wisdom, righteousness, and religion of Did we not know Christ? Did we not associate
the world. In themselves, these are also good with His apostles?” Yes, these people were
things, but you cannot be saved by them. And impressive. Perhaps they had even performed
thereby the gospel rejects what is the world’s a miracle once, as Christ says in Matthew 7:22.

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They made themselves to appear great, and this clearly. Therefore, he not only says that he
Paul to appear small. did not receive the gospel from any human, but
he dares to say much more: “Whoever preaches
How did they do that then? a different gospel, than the gospel which you
Oh, they could present plenty of arguments. have heard of me, even if he were an angel from
After all, Paul was the last of the apostles to heaven, he is accursed!” That is how sure he is
be converted to Christ. He had not even seen of the truth of his gospel and of his divine calling
Jesus Himself, had not heard Him preach, was through Christ. If at any time in your life you are
much younger than these teachers of error, and called to an office, and you know that you are
stood totally alone. “Would we err; we who have called by Jesus Christ, then do the same as
received the Holy Spirit? And … did you know Paul did. Every preacher who knows this calling
that this Paul has persecuted the church of God? does well to be as self-assured as Paul was.
Who then can you expect to be correct?” Do you Yes, he had to be this determined. Because it
see how easily these men could set Paul aside? is not about the messenger, but about the King
who has sent this messenger. It concerns God’s
How does Paul react to this? honor, His commands, and His authority.
By focusing on nothing but his calling and his
office in the first two chapters of his epistle. That Paul, an apostle, called, not by man …
is truly unique because in his other epistles Paul
does not do this. Paul actually says: “Whatever Why is it so important to Paul that he was not
you people say about me: I will not step aside called by man?
for anyone. Not for apostles, and certainly not Because these false preachers were especially
for their students.” It is so forceful that he even proud of the fact that they had still heard the
dares to criticize Peter in this epistle. Peter, the preaching of the apostles of Christ themselves;
pillar on which many other apostles leaned. and moreover, they told people everywhere
that they were sent by the apostles. Paul could
He is rather self-assured. not say that, and therefore they despised him;
That is because Paul knows Who had called they wanted to cast suspicion on him. But Paul
him: Jesus Christ. It is not for nothing that the says in the first verse that he is especially glad
apostle takes so much time and space to state that he was not called and sent by humans.

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He prides himself on the fact that, without the He just cannot wait to mention the core
intervention of people, he was called by God essence of his message immediately. Already
Himself. However, God can use people to call at the very beginning, he bursts loose, points
someone to become a preacher. Then you must to the righteousness of faith, and shoves
not refer to that as being “called by a person”, the righteousness by works to the side. His
but “called by means of a person”. You could heart burns with the desire to depict this
also say: indirectly. righteousness of God before you. And what is
this righteousness other than the resurrection of
What is the direct method? Jesus from the dead? This living Jesus speaks
The way by which the Lord Jesus called His to you, by means of Paul.
disciples. Directly, without further intervention. It is hardly necessary to add this last phrase to
In our time, however, a calling is only by indirect the Bible verse, but you must realize that Paul’s
means. So, God uses people for that. That is heart was aflame with the love for this God.
why preachers may not just become ministers Because it is this righteousness alone which
in a self-chosen congregation. Nor may they saves him, also from these false preachers in
impose themselves upon a congregation by the congregations of Galatia.
clever means or with a nice story. Paul dubs
that: calling yourself. So, the heart of the epistle has already been laid
bare.
Luther continues on this subject and thereby Yes, actually it has. It is about the resurrection
addresses preachers in particular. Do you of Christ from the dead. Please do not think
want to read this? You find it in Luther's too lightly about this resurrection. Do you know
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, what it is? It is one gigantic victory. Over what?
page 6. Over the law. Over sin. Over your heart. Over
the world. Over the devil. Over death. Over hell.
… and God the Father, who raised Him from Yes, over every evil. And this victory of Jesus has
the dead. been given to you if He is your Righteousness.
“Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory,
Paul begins directly with the resurrection of the through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen”
Lord Jesus. Why?

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1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, could not all be accused of doing this. You find
unto the churches of Galatia. one example in 1 Corinthians 1, from verse 4
and onward. There Paul congratulates the
How should I think of Galatia? congregation for having learned to know the
It is a province where Paul preached much. grace of Christ. Meanwhile, he knew full well
There were also quite a few congregations that there were many among them with whom
arising, where good Christians dwelt. But this was not genuine.
you will always see that this is an especially
attractive target for such zealots, who will cause What can I learn from that?
havoc. No, you need not become discouraged That the church, however much is going
by this. It is true, however, that this is often the wrong with it in your opinion, still remains the
reality for preachers. What they have carefully church. And therefore holy. Why? Because
built up, can be totally destroyed again by one the Word, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper are
zealot or bigot who comes there afterward. And, there. Because the name of God and Christ is
be aware: this causes pain. But if you cannot preached there. That also applies to you if you
handle that, then you must not become a are a true Christian. In whatever filthy city or
minister. There is one comfort, however: if you among whichever sinful people you might dwell;
are called by God, there is a crown awaiting you are and remain holy because of the Word
which will never perish. This glory is far greater and the sacraments.
than any pain whatsoever.
Is that really so? I feel myself to be far from holy.
What I do not understand is that Paul even makes You certainly must not call yourself holy because
the effort to write an epistle to this congregation. you are so well behaved. Or because you can
There was quite a lot wrong there. pray so well, give much money to the poor,
Perhaps you are even thinking: if a portion of are always good towards others, or are severe
the church is corrupt, it is entirely corrupt. But towards yourself. These are all good things,
that is not how Paul thinks. It is true: many had no doubt, but they do not make you holy. As a
let themselves be misled by sidelining Christ Christian, you possess passive holiness. Indeed,
and His grace, and by thinking that they could you possess something holy and divine, namely
be saved through their works. However, they what you just read: the Word, the sacraments,

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etc. Through these you are holy. down with it. So, keep reading about it, time and
The same applies to the Galatians. They might again. Because even if you would read about
have been in error, but the Word was still among it every day, even then you cannot understand
them. Realize as well, that a person who is in this doctrine completely. That is how hostile you
error cannot remove the holiness of God’s Word are of yourself towards the Holy Spirit.
or of the sacraments. With God, His institutions
remain just as holy. Therefore, the church is Back to your question. These two words - grace
always holy in the eyes of God, regardless of and peace - contain the entirety of what it means
how much goes wrong there. to be a Christian. That is why it is so important
for you to know these matters. Grace forgives
Even if the devil rails against it? sin, peace puts your conscience at ease. Sin
Then as well. Did you think that the devil is and conscience: these are two devils who attack
sitting in a pig pen? Not at all, but he is sitting in you, time and again. But Christ has conquered
church! When someone asks you: “What is the these monsters.
church?” then just say: “The church is wherever
the gospel and the sacraments are.” When do I receive this peace?
Only when your sins are forgiven. It is the law
1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the that accuses your conscience and makes you
Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. anxious because of the wrong things which
you do and have done. Try as you might, that
What exactly are grace and peace? anxiousness cannot be removed by your works.
Oh dear, you do not know that? Then you will Even worse: through all your exertions it only
not find the epistles of Paul to be very easy becomes worse. There is only one means by
to follow, because these are words that he which to be delivered from all your sins. And that
often uses. Therefore, you must pay close is grace. Grace! A simple word, but it is extremely
attention now, and not become impatient if difficult to understand it entirely, especially when
you encounter something which you have sins are trying to lead you astray.
already read previously about the justification
of sinners. Because everything revolves around Paul also says: “… and of our Lord Jesus
that premise. If that topples, everything goes Christ.” Why?

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To teach you that you must never contemplate why Paul frequently mentions the Lord Jesus in
God the Father without the Mediator, the one breath with God the Father.
Lord Jesus Christ. God without Christ is
unapproachable for you as a human. He So, I must begin low?
is immeasurable, incomprehensible, and Precisely. No philosophizing about God’s
unending. So, you must never attempt to think majesty and law. Compel yourself to go to the
about God in your own way, because that always crib. Seize upon the Child, the Son of a virgin,
goes without a Mediator. This is because you who was born, who drank at the breast of
want to work for yourself, and you want to earn His mother and grew up amongst people like
the approval of God in your own way. Therefore, yourself. But also, contemplate how this Jesus
learn from God’s own Word how it must be. died, rose again, returned to heaven, and sits
there at the right hand of His Father.
How must it be then? If you look to Jesus in that way, you can handle
As it is stated in 1 Corinthians 1:21 “Since anything. Then you will also not err, and you can
the world in its wisdom, did not know God in follow Christ, wherever He might go.
His wisdom, it pleased God, through foolish
preaching to grant salvation to those who Is this the only reason why Paul mentions not
believe. Because we preach the crucified Christ, just the Father, but also Christ?
an offense to the Jews, and foolishness to the No, there is also another reason. Namely, in
heathens. But for them, however, who are called order to persuade you that Christ is also truly
from among Jews and Greeks, we preach Christ God. Do you know that already? Then read
as the power of God and as the wisdom of God.” it once more: Christ is truly God. You must
Do you see? So, then just begin exactly where know and believe that. This is not only needful
God Himself begins. And that is in the womb of when you have discussions with people who
the virgin Mary, in the crib, and on the breast do not believe it, but also in order to become
of His mother. He humbled Himself, was born, strengthened in this faith yourself. Because, be
lived among the people, has suffered, was aware that the devil does not sit still, and he will
crucified, and died. And why? To draw the eyes attempt to persuade you to the contrary.
of your soul toward Him, and to not let you How does Paul prove here that Christ is also
reflect upon God in your own way. And that is God?

20
By placing Him at the same level as God the Then that would not have been necessary.
Father. He wishes you to receive grace, peace, It is certainly a very great sacrifice, that God
and all the other things of which you just read, sacrificed His own Son.
from the hand of Christ. Would Christ then not Do you know what you should learn from that?
be God, if He can give all these things? That your sins are so terrible, so great, so
endless. Not to be vanquished; you can never
1:4 Who gave Himself for our sins … overcome them. Just read the text once more.
Do you see the power and the might of sin?
Paul uses such unusual words here! Maybe you never trouble yourself about the
Do you see Who is always at the center? wrong things which you do, say, and think. And
It is Christ. And every word is, as it were, a even if your conscience should speak once, you
thunderclap against all your works and efforts. It somehow come to terms with yourself again.
does not say: “Who has received obedience …” But then look once more at the price which
No, it says: “Who gave …” What did He give? was paid for sins. It is so immeasurably high!
No gold, no silver, no animal, no angel - but When you begin to understand that, you will see
Himself. For a kingdom? For neat and righteous what hides behind that little word “sin”: God’s
people? No, for sin. destroying wrath, the complete power of hell.
Please, do not read past these words with a cold Truly, sin is abominable.
and indifferent heart. Is there anxiousness in
your heart? Then these words are a tremendous It says “our”. But I do not dare to apply that to
comfort for you. myself at all.
But just in this word lies the power of this text!
But I have sinned in great measure. You will find it easy to say and to believe that
Is that true? The Man who is called Christ; God’s Christ, the Son of God, was surrendered for the
own Son, has surrendered Himself for our sins. sins of Peter, Paul, and all the other children of
Nothing and nobody can remove sins, except God. Naturally, because you think that such holy
He alone. Truly, you can try to improve yourself, men will have been worth it.
but your doings and avoidances cannot wash But why do you recoil from saying that it is also
away a single sin. If that was actually possible, for you? Because you are not worth it? Because
why would Christ then have come to this earth? you are a sinner? Do you therefore not dare to

21
go to God and to hope that this gift is also for not yet forgiven.
you? Oh, you do not want to have anything to do It might sound harsh, but if you cannot join in
with God before you are clean and presentable! saying that “our” of this text, it is finished with
And every personal pronoun (such as my or our) your salvation.
in the Bible, you put away from you, because
you would rather wait a while yet until you are Why would it be that, time and again, I think that
truly worth it. I am holy enough as I am?
That is the “saintly” Satan, who whispers
Must I not fight against my sins then? to your mind that it is not so bad yet. But do
Of course, you must. But not in order to be saved. not believe him, because it is very bad. Think
As long as you do that, your mind is saying that of your unbelief, doubt, despair, despising of
your sins are actually not so bad yet. That you God, hatred, not knowing God, slandering God,
can still defeat them yourself. Be honest once: ingratitude, abuse of God’s name, neglects,
you would much prefer to bring a healthy sinner loathing God’s Word, and all other sins against
to Christ. Someone who does not feel his sins the first table of the law.
so acutely. Yes, then you would be prepared to And what did you think of the second table?
believe that Jesus gave Himself for sins. Not respecting your parents, being disobedient,
That is how it is in the world, but especially with desiring everything and then some.
the people who think they are still living rather
decent lives. Sinner? Yes, that they are. But it But I am not a murderer!
is not quite so bad yet. They do much good and That might be true, but theft, murder, and all
they think that in that way they can make a claim other kinds of evils do lodge in your heart. And
to God to receive eternal life … because of this, you have sinned against all the
commandments of God. You have so many sins,
How then must I read this text? that you cannot even write them all on the wall
That Christ surrendered Himself, not for of your bedroom. This wall is too small for that.
imaginary sins but for actual sins. Not only for
little sins but for the greatest. Not for some, but That language is quite painful to read.
for all. Not for sins which you have already made And that is not all yet. Because the devil is
right (as you might think), but for sins which are so sly, he also knows how to make your good

22
works into sins. In short: it is hopeless with will all likewise perish.” He does this with the
you, certainly if even your righteous acts have aim of causing you to view Christ as a torturer
to condemn you. Therefore, look to Christ, the and tyrant. Watch out: if you allow yourself to be
Son of God. He, who went to death in order to deceived in this way, you will be just as afraid of
rescue all those who believe. Christ as of the devil himself.

Is Christ not also a Judge? 1:4 … that He might deliver us from this
That is another of those sly moves of Satan. If present evil world …
he does not succeed in terrifying you with all
your sins because you flee to Christ; then he An evil world? Is that not a bit exaggerated?
will say to you: “Just watch out, Christ is also Certainly not. Again, Paul knows how to strike
a Judge, you know.” Yet you must say to the at the heart of the matter with a few well-
devil that he has it all wrong. Just stay with selected words. First of all, he is talking about
what it says in the Bible. Christ calls Himself a a present world, as opposed to the everlasting
Redeemer for the sins of the whole world. What world which is yet to come. And that world, in
would you do if I pictured Christ before you as which you live, is evil. Downright heinous. It is
a Judge? That would terrify you of course. And not without reason that the Bible calls the world
that is exactly what we do not want to do. Christ the kingdom of the devil. What do you find in
does not terrify. He does not throw you aside. it? Ignorance, contempt, slander, and hatred
He does not damn you. He does not ask you to toward God. Everything about it is disobedient
give an account of your thoroughly evil life. Do and will not serve Him.
you know what He did? He bore the sins of the
world, was crucified, and has paid in total! There must be enough good things in this world
that could be mentioned?
So, the devil misapplies the words of Christ? Which do you mean? Wisdom, righteousness,
He even pretends that he is Christ. But you know holiness, might, beauty and riches? Without
what? He always shows you only a part of this Christ, these are all tools that serve the devil
Mediator. Do you want an example of how he and enlarge his realm. Yes, even wisdom,
can make you anxious? With the words of Jesus righteousness, and holiness. With these, you
from Luke 13:3: “If you do not do penance, you think you can save yourself, and you mislead

23
not only yourself but also others. You despise
the righteousness of Christ. Believe this: outside 1:5 To whom be glory forever and ever.
of Him your foolishness is double foolishness, Amen.
your righteousness is a double sin.
A song of praise at the end of the introduction?
But surely there are many wise people on earth? Is that normal?
In that regard the world shows itself from her Indeed, the Hebrews did have that custom. They
best side, that is true. But in that regard, it is saturated everything they wrote in accolades
also doubly bad, because all that wisdom is of praise and gratitude. Paul applies this good
without Christ. And then we are not even talking custom, and you should do that as well: never
about all the sins of which the world is full, such use the name of the Lord without this praise and
as divorce, sexual sins, theft, murder, and envy. thanksgiving.
You live in this godless world; you are a part of
it. And no person or angel can help you out of 1:6 I marvel …
it. There is only One, and Paul points Him out:
Christ alone is needed to draw you out of this Oh my, Paul certainly begins gently with his
evil world. rebuke.
Absolutely. He does this very fatherly and
1:4 … according to the will of God and our motherly, you could say. Not by beginning to
Father. scream, but in a friendly manner. He does later
state the issues directly, but he does choose his
Why does Paul introduce the will of God here? words carefully and wisely. Of course, he could
Because in this way he shows you that your will have said: “Bah, what a shameful situation. I am
is totally uncooperative. If you have truly been ashamed, your ungratefulness pains me and I
snatched away from this fearful and terrible am angry.” Or, he could have piously exclaimed:
world of the devil by the Lord, then this has “Oh, such depraved times, oh such a decline in
nothing to do with your willing heart. Christ has morals!”
done this because His Father wanted it. Your
salvation rests in the good pleasure of God! Why does he not do that?
You have to keep Paul’s purpose in mind. He

24
wants to bring people who had left the gospel the faith, but that they have been drawn away
and again returned to the law, back once again from it. Passively, in other words, as victims.
to the pure gospel. That is why he does not According to Paul, they have not caused the
use such forceful words here. But then he does damage, but have suffered damage. Yet there
still do this against the liars who have done so is some hint here of a reprimand. The apostle
much damage to the congregation. But you will is actually saying here: “Although I know that
discover that soon enough. you did not depart from the faith through your
own fault, yet you could surely have clung to the
1:6 … that ye are so soon … healthy doctrine a little more firmly. The roots of
faith were not deep enough. That is why you are
Did the heresy which Paul is talking about enter taken along with any breath of wind.”
the congregation so suddenly?
Extremely fast. Do not underestimate how 1:6 … from him that called you into the grace
difficult it is for your heart to believe, and then of Christ …
to hold onto this faith. It takes some ten years
before a congregation is somewhat organized. Why is he speaking so clearly about grace here?
And then some heretical spirit or other comes Because grace is directly opposite to the wrath
along which begins to talk foolishly, and in a of God. Paul is amazed that the Galatians so
moment, everything is laying in shards again. easily allowed themselves to be drawn back to
Would you not become furious about that then? the law. They were under grace and under the
But consider especially how rapidly damage gospel, to which Christ had called them. Paul did
can occur in a congregation because of one or not treat these people as slaves but preached
more zealots or fanatics. Paul has experienced pure grace and liberty to them.
it in the congregation of Galatia.
And now they have departed from this grace
1: 6 … removed … again!
Do you understand why Paul is so amazed?
Paul still continues to be friendly. A group of those liars had attempted to bring
So much so, that he does not even accuse the the entire congregation under the wrath of God
people concerned here of having departed from again. And they let it happen too yet! Thereby

25
they became students of Moses and the law there is more and he did not tell you about
again, instead of students of Christ and His that.” Do you know what they are doing? They
grace. begin with Christ as a foundation, but they want
to build further with Moses and the law. You
1:6 … removed (…) unto another gospel can see that clearly in Acts 15:1. “Except ye
be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye
What are we now being told? Is there another cannot be saved.” Do you see? They are saying
gospel? no less than, believing in Christ is not enough.
Well, no, but the apostle wants to teach you Something must be added yet.
something important here. Paul is talking about Therefore, it is necessary for you to pray
the devil here. Satan is so perversely deft and without ceasing, to read, and to cling to Christ
sly, especially when it comes to spiritual matters. alone and to nothing and no one else. You can
He can take the most harmful poison and sell it only challenge the slyness of the devil with His
to you as the Word of God and as the gospel wisdom. “For we wrestle not against flesh and
of Christ. Always be on your guard against the blood”, Ephesians 6:12.
devil, but especially a white or “holy” devil, as
you have read earlier in this chapter. The devil 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some
can disguise himself well and has enough that trouble you …
masks to fool you.
That is why it says here “another gospel”. You What does that mean: to trouble you?
have to read it with irony as if Paul says: “Now, It means: to sow confusion. That is what these
you Galatians, you apparently have different liars did who had entered the congregation.
evangelists now who bring a different gospel. You can probably imagine the scene. The one
Apparently, my gospel is not good enough says this, another says that. Now, who are you
anymore.” to believe? In this way, these false preachers
brought total confusion among the people. But
So, they have pushed Paul aside entirely? you probably realize: although this happened in
Not entirely. Those false preachers will have early times, it is still continually happening.
said to the people: “That Paul certainly began
well. But only a good beginning is not enough; 1:7 … and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

26
 mixing together law and gospel. If you do that,
That seems to me even worse than the first you are just as bad as those liars in Galatia.
charge. Then you pervert the gospel of Christ.
I would not occupy myself about which of these But … the devil is indeed strong, and your
is actually worse. The fact is, these are the two foolishness may be great; yet the gospel cannot
key objectives of the devil: to sow confusion and be destroyed. The truth may be endangered,
to totally destroy the gospel of Christ. He uses but it will never disappear. Why not? …the word
people for that. And woe is to you if you then say of the Lord endureth for ever”, 1 Peter 1:25.
that these people are servants of the devil; they
really cannot tolerate that. They actually think 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven,
they are preachers of the pure gospel of Christ. preach any other gospel unto you than that
How you can identify these liars? If they intermix which we have preached unto you, let him
law and gospel randomly: that is when you have be accursed.
to be on your guard. After all, you are either
saved through Christ or through the law. Not Well, that is forceful language!
by both. The righteousness of the law cannot And rightly so. Here Paul is full of fire. So much
coexist with the righteousness of grace. It has so that he almost begins to curse the angels. In
to be one or the other. Greek it says anathema. That means: accursed,
damned, cast out, rejected from the union and
Can these really not work together? the fellowship with the Lord. Notice the sequence
Ah: you also want to cling to both of these. Yes, carefully: first of all, he curses himself, in case it
that is what you would prefer to do, right? Keep would happen that he himself would also preach
the righteousness by faith in reserve for now, another gospel. That is a good trait: if necessary,
and first try to be saved by your own effort. Or always accuse yourself first, and only after that
the other way around: you say and think that you can criticize others. In which case, you can
you believe in Christ alone, but meanwhile you do so more freely and more firmly.
continuoulsy have to prove yourself by doing
the works of the law. You will readily understand 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again,
that this is not right. That it is walking from Christ if any man preaches any other gospel unto
to Moses and from Moses to Christ. That is truly you than that ye have received, let him be

27
accursed.
Apparently, Paul finds it necessary to repeat As he does here. He uses this text to assault
what he has already stated so sharply. the Pope of Rome because he dares to
Read very carefully, though. For here he names place himself above the Bible. You find this
other persons. “If any man …” A moment portion on page 39 of Luther’s book.
ago, he cursed himself and the angels if they
would bring another gospel. Now, as it were, 1:10 For do I now persuade men or God? or
he includes the rest of the world: theologians, do I seek to please men?
doctors, professors, everyone. They all have to
bow for the gospel which Paul has brought. And How do you notice whether a minister is
they must also not act as though he had only preaching to satisfy the tastes of the people?
made an insignificant start. If he never receives any criticism, and if
everyone always just approves of what he
So, he had held back nothing, as those false says, then you have to become concerned. But
preachers claimed? woe to the preacher who preaches what God
Agreed. That is also why it says: “… other … wants. If he only lets God’s Word speak, then
than that ye have received”. Paul cannot allow the people turn against him. Because he has to
that they add things which he allegedly had say that you have no free will, no power to do
withheld from them. He does not like the idea of anything well, no true wisdom, and certainly no
being set aside as a “temporary minister”. “So, righteousness whatsoever. And do you want to
if you hear a different gospel and receive better hear that? Of course not. Naturally, you do not
things than you received from me, then you are want to hear that there is nothing good to be
accursed”, says Paul. expected from you whatsoever. But thereby you
do know for certain that a minister is not seeking
You know that Luther especially turned approval and honor from people.
himself against the then-dominant church.
He also does this regularly in his Commentary 1:10 … for if I yet pleased men, I should not
on the Epistle to the Galatians. be the servant of Christ.
1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the
gospel which was preached of me is not

28
after man. in the salvation of a sinner. No, not from God’s
1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither side, but from the side of you as a person. At
was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus one point you are certain of your affairs, then
Christ. it is dark again. But Paul knows that if he can
teach others, this indicates that he knows the
What does Paul mean by this? essence of the matter himself. In one of the
That the gospel is not pleasant for a person to apocryphal books, it states: “A mark of a man
hear, and that he had received this very gospel with knowledge is that he can instruct others.”
by revelation from the Lord Jesus Himself, and Yet … if in the daily struggle the comfort is gone
had not received it from man. He begs the from a believer, the law’s demands can again
Galatians, as it were, to believe this so that they create so much tumult, like mount Sinai during
will close their ears to all those liars who say that the giving of the law.
Paul had only received and learned the gospel
from the apostles. How can that be, that a believer can be unsure
again so readily?
Was that not true? That is because your reason will immediately
Of course not. Paul had indeed been with the turn against you. And you have a corrupt
apostles for a while, but he had received and existence, which is continuously striving against
learned the gospel from the Lord Jesus. The the Spirit, as you read in Romans 7:23. Please
false preachers in Galatia considered Paul to be do not think that you can believe in your own
much less important than themselves because strength; and do realize this: faith is a gift of God.
they had been with the apostles much longer. He is the Creator of faith, but also the One who
That was a very strong argument, and therefore preserves it. He grants, exercises, increases,
Paul uses so many words on this issue. He establishes, and finishes our faith. And He does
wants to remove the uncertainty among the all this through His Word! Would you then not
Galatians. call Sunday a feast day?

Understandable; there is enough uncertainty (In church) I always hear familiar things out of
already! the Bible which I have heard a hundred times
Oh, yes. That is recognizable. That is also true already.

29
Do you mean that? Are you now saying that Is Paul now consciously hanging out his dirty
you are tired of God’s Word and that you know laundry, for all to see?
everything already? That assumption is at the He is not just saying something randomly about
peril of your life. Worse yet: you have actually his former life. Look, Paul had been a Pharisee,
already departed from Christ and the gospel if and not just an average Pharisee either. He
you are that far afield. expected to be saved through the righteousness
Do fight against such lukewarmness. Muster of the law, and he knew more about it than all
all your strength to learn out of the Word. Pray those false preachers in Galatia taken together.
humbly to God and study and meditate - time If there was anything worthwhile to be found
and again. Have you tried your hardest already? in that way of being saved, then Paul would
Continue on, even if that means the sweat will certainly have stayed with it. But now he has
be running down your face. Why all this effort? rejected all this. Very consciously, he knows
Because you have strong and stubborn enemies and says that no man shall be made righteous
who also do not desist from attacking you: sin, before God through the works of the law.
death, the wrath of God, His justice, the devil in
his very person … 1:14 … being more exceedingly zealous of
the traditions of my fathers.
In the rest of this portion, Luther elaborates
on his position as opposed to that of the This must be about all those little man-made
Papal church of his day. He also feels that rules and stipulations?
he is standing alone, just like Paul. You can You would have thought that, but here Paul
find this portion on page 83 of Luther’s book. actually means the holy law of God. He calls
these laws “traditions of the fathers”. This points
1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation back to Moses, who was indeed called the
in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that father of the Jews. “That is what I have always
beyond measure I persecuted the church of striven towards”, Paul says. And again: not just
God and wasted it: by fits and starts. He was truly an example for
1:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above others, had more zeal than anybody else, and
many my equals in mine own nation … went all out. That is exactly what should have
set the Galatians to thinking: that Paul had

30
consciously discarded that very law as being a … who separated me from my mother’s
suitable means to salvation. womb,

1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated Is that really so?
me from my mother’s womb, and called me Oh, for sure! God saw Paul as an apostle already
by his grace, when his mother was still pregnant with him.
1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might God also knew that this man would so terrorize
preach him among the heathen; immediately His children. But also, that, in the midst of this
I conferred not with flesh and blood. barbaric godlessness, He would mercifully call
him back to the truth and salvation. Do you see
That Paul ever became an apostle! That is quite what Paul does? He points away from himself
a marvel if you see what he all did. entirely. Even the minutest event of his life was
That is exactly what he is saying in these texts. determined by God.
He did not receive grace because he behaved
himself so well before God. This Paul was so Was Paul then predestined to become an
terribly foolish. He persecuted the church, apostle?
was an enemy of Christ, and slandered the You could say that. Even before Paul was
gospel. Besides this, he let innocent people born, God had laid out every detail of his life,
be murdered. And it was precisely in the midst also that he would receive God’s grace. That
of this frenzy that he was called to grace. It is his despicable, great, monstrous sins would
not because of everything he did, but despite be forgiven. And that he would receive such an
what he did that God called him to the office of abundance of grace, that he not only realized
apostle. It is just as you say: a great wonder. for himself what it was he had received but was
even able to preach about it.
Here Luther applies these texts to himself:
how as a monk he wanted nothing to do with … it pleased God (…) to reveal his
Christ and only served the Pope. He did not Son in me …
even want anything to do with the name of
John Hus, one of the martyrs. Whores and How must I picture this revelation?
publicans are less evil, Luther writes in his This is the doctrine of the gospel, as you read it
commentary, see page 50.
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in Psalm 2:12: “Kiss the Son”. The law does not 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to
teach you that. It only teaches you about sin, them which were apostles before me; but I
death, the wrath and justice of God, and about went into Arabia, and returned again unto
hell. You will understand that this law is not the Damascus.
Son of God. The gospel reveals the Son, the 1:18 Then after three years I went up to
law does not. “The law was given by Moses, but Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him
grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” fifteen days.
1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none,
Is that not the logical conclusion? save James the Lord’s brother.
Do not say that too fast. Perhaps you can
accept with your mind that there is no law in the Now Paul returns again to what he had already
gospel. But for a person to truly comprehend said before. Why?
this is extremely difficult. Again: the gospel is the To persuade you that his words represent the
revelation of the Son of God. And there is only pure gospel. Perhaps it is starting to bore you,
One who can truly teach you that: and that is but Paul states it one more time: He has learned
God Himself. He uses His Word for that, so that nothing from people. Yes, he has seen Peter
you may hear it. The Holy Spirit brings these and James, but nobody else.
words into your heart. Take careful notice of the Do you remember that those false preachers
sequence here. The Holy Spirit always follows in Galatia had a strong argument with which to
the Word! Just look at Paul. First, he heard the attack Paul? That is why he returns once more
words on the way to Damascus: “Saul, Saul, why to the fact that his gospel is from God and not
are you persecuting Me?” This was followed by from man. After all, he was all alone, while there
the revelation of the Son in his heart, an insight were many more of those liars.
into the meaning of these divine words, faith
and the spiritual consequences. It does come across as somewhat proud.
And in this way, Paul went to proclaim the gospel Call it holy pride, but be honest: Paul was actually
amongst the pagans3. Not the law, but Christ. being compelled to clearly explain his calling a

3 The terms pagan and heathen are often treated as syno- ones. Heathens, found more outside the Roman empire,
nyms. But pagans, such as most people within the Roman served gods which were not considered superior to them-
empire, worshipped multiple gods, supposedly powerful selves. Pagan is the more correct term here.

32
number of times. There was also something at How must I view this conclusion to this first
stake here: the true doctrine in Galatia. That chapter?
is no small thing. You can even insist that it It is as though Paul says: “You people can make
revolved around eternal life or eternal death. inquiries as to what my preaching is like. Not
Because without the pure Word of God you are only in Damascus, Syria, and Cilicia, but also
helplessly lost. in Judea.” Hereby you may also see that Judea
was treated as the “established” church of those
1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, days. Those people, there, had magnified God.
behold, before God, I lie not. Not because Paul came to bring the law. No, he
preached faith.
He even begins to swear!
That is how forcefully this great apostle was
being driven into a corner and minimized in the
congregation. That is quite something, is it not?
He had to swear that he was telling the truth,
or otherwise they would not believe him. And
would not every preacher have to be pushed
into a corner, as happened to Paul? Certainly. At
least, if he brings the same preaching as Paul.

1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of

Syria and Cilicia;
1:22 And was unknown by face unto the
churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
1:23 But they had heard only, That he which
persecuted us in times past now preacheth
the faith which once he destroyed.
1:24 And they glorified God in me.

33
Chapter 2 you must let go of that entire law, it is not so
simple. Everything within you will resist that.
2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again On top of that, as a human, you are used to
to Jerusalem … abiding, by and large, to the prevailing rules.
Therefore, your inclination to keep to the law
Why did Paul make this journey to Jerusalem? is twice as strong. In short: you are right. It is
First some information about this trip. Perhaps indeed logical that those Christians who were
you think this is about the journey mentioned also Jews, could not just say farewell to the
in Acts 15, but the visit Paul is discussing here many laws of Moses.
took place eighteen years later. However, its
purpose was the same. There had been strife How was that resolved?
in the congregation of Antioch, where he was God intervened. He did permit this confusion
at this moment. Of course, you can already between faith and law to continue for a while.
sense what this strife will have been about. The But thereafter these two had to be preached
Jews, who were used to keeping the Mosaic in total distinction from each other. Heresies
laws, just could not grasp that pagans could be can so easily enter the church. But know this:
saved without the works of the law. Not even the Lord is merciful and very patient. He sees
after all these years. While Paul had so clearly to it that in due time it will be resolved. Just be
experienced that the Holy Spirit was being given careful: do not abuse His patience by continuing
to people who heard and believed the gospel. in a heresy, once you have seen the truth.
No circumcision: simply faith in Christ.
Back to Paul a moment, because he was going
Yet I can readily understand that the Jews had to Jerusalem. Why there?
difficulty with this, especially if they had grown Strife had arisen in Antioch. One person would
up with the law. say that you did have to be circumcised, while
In itself, this is logical enough, because the another said it was not necessary. This strife
very words “law of God” should instill the became worse by the day. Paul himself was
needed respect in a person. Undoubtedly that placed in a difficult position because he himself
also applies to you. You have, as it were, been had circumcised Timothy. He had done this
brought up on the law. If you are then told that out of love and based on Christian liberty.

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But that explanation was not being very well to the Jews who had come to faith but who did
accepted. So, it became necessary for him to not want to let go of the law. “If this superfluous
go to Jerusalem to prove that his gospel was the ceremonial law pleases you people so much,
same as that of the apostles who were there. then by all means keep it. It will be of no use to
Ultimately, he did not do this in order to avoid you as a way to be made righteous before God.
personal defeat. No, he did it for the Christian But you are entitled to keep it. On one condition:
congregation, and because God had said that do not bother the pagans about it, who have
he must do this. never had this law.”
That is how it went. The apostles in Jerusalem
2:1 … with Barnabas, and took Titus with me were of the same opinion as Paul. They also felt
also. that the ceremonial law had been abolished. But
because of the weakness of some Jews, it was
Did Paul not dare to go alone? permissible to continue to uphold it for the time
Certainly, but Paul took along two witnesses. being. But for the pagans, however, this was
He and Barnabas could relate from personal definitely not required. That had to be clear.
experience how the pagans were saved by faith
in Christ, without circumcision or use of the law. 2:2 … lest by any means I should run, or had
And Titus had been a pagan himself. run, in vain.

2:2 And I went up by revelation, and Evidently, the apostle wanted to win this
communicated unto them that gospel which discussion.
I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to He had to win this round. The opinion that the
them which were of reputation … law is required for the justification of a sinner,
continued to gain influence. Yes, it even
What all was said in Jerusalem? became dominant. Sent by the Lord, he went to
Paul was honest, and he clearly explained Jerusalem in order to eradicate this evil. You are
what he had preached to the pagans. He did correct: Paul wanted to silence his adversaries
not overwhelm them with all kinds of novelties, because they could otherwise have said that his
but he kept in mind those who were weak in the preaching had been in vain. But you only work
faith. You can imagine what he will have said in vain when you think that you can be saved by

35
keeping the law. found through these. To be saved, all that is
necessary is to believe in Christ.
2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being
a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised … 2:4 And that because of false brethren
unawares brought in, who came in privily to
What is it about this circumcision? spy out our liberty which we have in Christ
For the Jews, this rule applied: if you see it as Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
something which is necessary in order to be 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection,
saved, you are wrong. But if it is seen as an no, not for an hour; that the truth of the
indifferent matter, and you view it more as a gospel might continue with you.
tradition, then it is fine. For the time being, Paul
allowed it on this basis. But only out of respect The truth of the gospel? That sounds double-
for the age-old laws, and especially out of love to edged. As though there would also be an untrue
those who were weak in the faith. Basically, it is gospel.
better not to be too severe regarding indifferent You need to see this in view of the twisting of the
matters. That would be unloving. Amongst the gospel by those false prophets in Galatia. Notice
converted Jews, Paul allowed circumcision, the difference closely. The truth of the gospel is
as long as they refrained from making it a that your righteousness before God stems only
requirement for the pagans who came to faith. from faith, without any works of yours, of any
So, Paul could easily have allowed Titus to be kind. The twisted gospel also says that you are
circumcised, but when he was being compelled saved by faith, but something from your side
to it by the Jews, he no longer wanted to. needs to be added as well.

How must I see this in our day? That sounds familiar to my ears.
Be free about what you like to do. Do you want That is very well possible. Because this false
to spend the rest of your life in a cloister? Fine, gospel persists through all ages. You probably
but do not expect this to contribute in any way know people who say that you first need to
to the reconciling of your sins. Or that you will believe in Christ; that this faith is the basis of
acquire grace by it. Whatever human traditions your salvation, and that this faith helps you to
others may lay upon you; salvation is not to be become righteous … but only if there is love

36
involved. Especially this last addition is important sins might still terrify you: you may still say that
for such people. But this is a mutilated gospel. you are righteous. And that only through the
Love is not needed in order to “perfect” faith, or chief Gemstone: Christ!
anything like that. Faith is a perfectly complete
gift of God. This faith justifies you before God In the fourth verse, Paul is also quite aggressive
because it grasps hold of Jesus Christ as Savior towards the false apostles. He talks about
and Deliverer. spying. Why such stern language?
Because he saw with what guile they attempted to
So, it is no longer about what I do. corner him. First of all, it was about circumcision,
Precisely! No more of: I have done this – I as you have just read. Besides this, it was about
have not done that. Faith has no other object whether he would dare to contradict those false
than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He, who preachers in the presence of the apostles.
was surrendered for the sins of the world. So Thereby they were making improper use of the
that the emphasis is not on love but on faith. authority of these apostles. Something like: “If
“What has Christ earned, what has He done?” Paul ever dares to smuggle an uncircumcised
To which the truth of the gospel responds: “He Titus into the congregation while you are there,
has set you free from sin, from the devil, and oh apostles, can you imagine what he would all
from eternal death.” When do you have faith? do if you were not there?”
When you acknowledge that you can only have Paul was not about to waver, because he saw
forgiveness of sins and everlasting life in Jesus the great danger of coming under the law again
Christ. and thereby losing his Christian liberty. That is
why he used such austere language.
That is really quite a tall measuring stick.
How else do you want to view this? Only faith Must I also be so firm, if this liberty is endangered?
in Christ justifies you before God. Your faith can Of course. Be gentle with people if they want
only be firm and sure if you have grasped hold something of you which has nothing to do with
of Christ. What else do you want to lean upon, your faith. But do not step aside a centimeter
when you are attacked by the devil or by sin? for them when they burden you with something
Faith and Christ: these are the only connection which they say would be essential towards your
to God. Whatever else might happen, whatever salvation. Salvation is by grace, through faith in

37
Jesus Christ. Truly, this is a great and serious Surely Paul does not mean the apostles here?
matter. It concerns the death of the Son of God! That is indeed who he means. It might strike you
If you push this faith to the side, His death has no as being rather irreverent. Do not think Paul had
more benefit for you. Yes, then you make God no respect for the apostles in Jerusalem. But
out to be a liar. Preserve the liberty which you here he had to speak rather sarcastically about
have in Christ as a holy thing. If you lose that, the apostles because the false preachers in
you lose God, you lose Christ and His promises, Galatia were abusing this respect towards these
you lose faith, you lose everything. apostles in order to diminish Paul’s authority.

There is still something I do not understand. Is he then doing this for the doubting Galatians?
The law surely is of God, and is it then not also You have seen that correctly. He says that he
spiritual? is not going to make an issue about how great
It certainly is, and therefore the law is also these apostles might be. Even when it comes to
glorious. But however holy, divine, and spiritual respect toward an angel, Paul will not be robbed
the law might be, it is totally unsuited to make of his gospel. And then it does not interest him in
you righteous. It is true: the law shows you that the least, how many miracles Peter or any other
you must love God and your neighbor. And apostle has done.
also, how you must live a neat and good life.
Yet the fact remains: the law cannot show you Yet Paul does not say much more than: “It does
how you are to be delivered from sins, from the not interest me.” Is that not a bit weak?
devil, from death, and from hell. That is what the If it remained at that, it would be weak. That is
gospel is for. Keep these two totally separated why he says something more after this.
from each other! The law says what you must
do, the gospel says what Christ has done for 2:6 God accepteth no man’s person …
you.
Indeed, that does strengthen his argument.
2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, It is a very old argument. Moses used it already,
(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter in Deuteronomy 1:17 and elsewhere. Hereby
to me … Paul silences the false apostles. “Do you place
people who appear to be superior to me in

38
opposition to me? Then you need to realize that more important than the Creator who provided
God does not regard man, their office, or their everything to be used in His service.
honor.” God has shown that truth in many places
in the Bible. Just think of Judas, one of the first But is it categorically wrong to give honor to
apostles. He fell and was condemned. Or Saul, people?
the first king of Israel: the same happened to That is not what Paul means. You are a creature
him. of God, just like every other person. The point
is: how do you deal with it? The same applies
So, I may not revere ministers? to circumcision, regarding which we have just
Absolutely not, even though the glorifying of read. It is not wrong in itself, but it was wrong
persons is so much a part of our nature. We when used as some Christians wanted it to be
easily allow people to be more important to us used. Remove the wrong use of it, and there will
than God is. But He says to you: do not choose be nothing amiss with the matter itself.
for the shell, but for the nut. Do not choose That is also how it is with government, king,
for the house but for the father of the house. mayor, minister, teachers at school, parents,
Therefore, do not revere a minister, but honor family members, friends, etc. God wants you
Christ, who speaks to you through them. Honor to keep them in honor because of the authority
the Word of God! which He has given them. But not so that you
Are you worldly? Then you will not grasp this, begin to see something God-like in them and
because you have never seen the countenance put such trust in them.
of God. And that in spite of the fact that the
entire creation is, as it were, the face of God, What is that wrong use you are referring to?
concealed as it may be. One more question: do A good and important question! Do not think that
you enjoy good food? Yes? Then what do you God is indifferent as to who or what a person is.
do with the text which says that man shall not At least, as far as “normal” life is concerned. But
live by bread alone, but by every word which now we are talking of justification, about how a
proceeds out of the mouth of God? If you sinner can be saved. And then God truly does
consider eating to be important, you will probably not regard office, honor, or whatever is of man.
shrug your shoulders and continue to enjoy your
food. That is because you consider the creation

39
 In this context, Luther elaborates on the It might come across as a somewhat proud
office and authority of the Pope, and how he statement to our ears, but Paul said this
would have to honor this head of the Roman deliberately. After all, the false preachers in
Catholic Church. See the original text on Galatia wanted him to be directly confronted by
page 71 of Luther’s book. the apostles. But Paul says: “We really did not
have any controversy at all. I related how I had
Are Christians always to be of equal honor? preached the gospel, and the apostles only said
Read the text phrase carefully once more. All that I was doing that in the appropriate manner.
the emphasis lies on the word “God”. “God Nothing more and nothing less.”
does not accept the person of man …” And, we
repeat again: this is about the justification of a Luther again applies this section to his own
sinner. But do you think that God wants you to time, by pushing aside the authority of the
ignore proper respect for authorities? So that Pope, just as “proudly” as Paul. He writes
you could say: “I am just as good a Christian as that he will not step aside for anyone when
my father, so I will not listen to him anymore.” it comes to the pure gospel, and it does not
No: it remains necessary for you to bow under bother him at all that he is called stubborn
the authority which God gave him. But for God and a rebel. You can read this on page 72 of
Himself, every distinction falls away. Luther’s commentary.

2:6 … for they who seemed to be somewhat 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the
in conference added nothing to me. gospel of the uncircumcision was committed
unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision
Did Paul really not learn anything from the was unto Peter.
apostles when he was in Jerusalem?
That is what he says here. Then again, what I do not understand this text. Paul preached to
would they have had to teach him? He had Jews as well, and Peter also preached to the
already been a preacher to the pagans for pagans. How was that?
eighteen years. He had performed numerous You are right; this is a somewhat mysterious
miracles, and it was under his preaching that text. But the answer is not as difficult to find as
the Holy Spirit had come upon the pagans. you think. Paul indicates here that Peter worked

40
primarily among the Jews, and he primarily 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who
among the pagans. So: not exclusively, but most seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace
of the time. You could call it a sharing of labor. that was given unto me, they gave to me and
A sharing that was no longer necessary after Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that
Jerusalem was destroyed and the Christians we should go unto the heathen, and they
were scattered everywhere and nowhere. unto the circumcision.
Therefore, all apostles are equal and have the
same calling: to preach the gospel. Paul keeps It evidently does not matter where you relocate
emphasizing that one apostle is not above to, as long as the gospel is there.
another. As far as that is concerned, he and It becomes very clear indeed from this text that
Peter are in agreement and have both received there is only one gospel, both for pagans and
their office from God. for Jews. The apostles in Jerusalem continued
to circumcise people; Paul did not do that. No
2:8 For he that wrought effectually in Peter problem at all, as long as those Jewish laws
to the apostleship of the circumcision, the and rules did not become a requirement for
same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles. salvation. The apostles made the distinction
very clear, but alas, law and gospel were soon
It seems as though Paul really does not want mixed together again. It was not without good
to be considered inferior to Peter. Is he not reason that God destroyed the temple, the law,
somewhat sensitive about his public image? and Jerusalem so that not one stone remained
No! Paul is not thinking of his honor, but God’s on top of another.
honor. Here faith and the pure gospel are at
issue, because of which Paul refuses to budge. 2:10 Only they would that we should
Do not hesitate to be hard and stubborn when it remember the poor; the same which I also
comes to the purity of your profession. You may was forward to do.
be soft and agreeable out of love, but not when
it concerns the honor of God and righteousness Apparently, the preaching alone is not sufficient
by faith. for Paul?
There are always poor people in a congregation.
That is because the devil does not sit still. He

41
makes sure that people who have needs are church? Then do not hesitate to correct a Peter
forgotten. Paul pays attention to this problem, or even an angel from heaven. Because “He that
and you must pay attention to this as well. loveth father or mother – or his own life - more
Undoubtedly, there are many things you would than me is not worthy of me”, Matthew 10:37.
gladly give money toward, perhaps even toward
a nice church. But that poor person who sits But what if they then depict me as being
beside you in the church pew is just too easy haughty?
to forget. You must pay no attention to that at all. Of course,
Realize this: true religion always suffers you must honor your parents, preachers, elders,
lack. Christ complains that He suffers from deacons, and teachers. But if they go against
hunger and thirst, is a stranger, is naked and the gospel, you may not obey them. View your
weak. Therefore, take care of the poor in the parents as a drop and God as the sea. Would
congregation, as Paul also did. you leave the sea for a drop? Besides, never
assume that a pious person no longer sins. Do
2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I not believe in flawless saints, as the Roman
withstood him to the face, because he was Catholic Church does. Only Christ gives you
to be blamed. your holiness and is your holiness. External piety
is not true holiness. And there is no doubt that
Now Paul is really going too far: to correct Peter Peter had truly fallen into sin, and needed to be
while the whole congregation is watching. corrected here by Paul. Because, otherwise all
That is what his enemies thought as well. But Christians would again have landed under the
you are wrong. This was not about a trifle, but Jewish laws, and they would all have been lost.
about a core issue of the Christian doctrine:
the justification of a sinner without involving the 2:12 For before that certain came from
law. Paul saw that this doctrine was in danger, James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but
through the esteem these people had for Peter, when they were come, he withdrew and
and therefore he reacted so violently. Not in separated himself, fearing them which were
order to damage Peter or to dishonor him, but in of the circumcision.
order to defend the gospel.
Do you see something terrible happening in the Was eating with the pagans such a problem?

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No, it definitely was not. The pagans were no Did Paul consider himself to be a lonely person?
longer unclean in the New Testament. Peter did That could have been the case here. He was
well by eating with the pagans because thereby losing everyone. He stood directly opposed to
he demonstrated that the law is not necessary Peter, and he even saw his travel companion,
in order to be justified. In that way, he freed the Barnabas, faltering. There he stood: all alone.
converted pagans from this law, as it were. That But he remained standing. And in this way, one
was therefore very good of Peter. single person can mean more than an entire
But now Peter suddenly did not want to eat with gathering of office-bearers together.
them anymore. This means, according to Paul, When it comes to the doctrine of justification,
that he brings these pagans into submission to you must be just as tenacious as Paul was.
that law again. And meanwhile, Peter makes Always maintain a strict distinction between law
it appear as though keeping the law is a and gospel: no justification by works. If someone
requirement for being saved. That was entirely wants to mess with that, do not concede a
wrong. millimeter!

2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise This difference between law and gospel; I still
with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was fail to understand that completely.
carried away with their dissimulation. Salvation by faith is something you cannot
understand. That is why you must always read
Here Paul actually says that Peter is not honest. the Bible prayerfully. For now, just remember
That is rather severe. this: faith is contrary to the works of the law and
But it was also necessary. Because this false to your understanding. Are your sins bothering
piety of Peter even resulted in Barnabas being you? Then do not go for counsel to the rules of
misled. Barnabas, who had worked among the the law or to your understanding, because then
pagans with Paul! You must realize that false you will go lost. Put your trust only, truly only,
piety leads to the destruction of the church; you upon grace and upon the Word of comfort. Just
may therefore be thankful that Paul rebuked pretend that you have never yet heard of a law.
Peter so severely for this sin. Salvation is only available outside of keeping
this law: in Christ!

43
Without keeping the law? That is very different between the righteousness of the gospel and
from what I hear on Sundays! the righteousness of the law. They are totally
Pay close attention, because what you are different. If you draw them toward each other
reading here is about justification by faith. ever so slightly, you lose the truth of the gospel.
That happens without the use of the law. You Keep this distinction clear, just as clear as God
certainly need God’s law in a different way, has made a separation between day and night,
namely to show you your sins. Perhaps the between land and sea.
example of Moses will help. When Moses was
on Mount Sinai and was speaking with God as Does this make me, as a believer, like a kind of
with a friend, did he then have anything to do “dual person”?
with the law? Of course not; he spoke with God Exactly. Your body here on earth is the donkey.
face to face. But when Moses descended from It must work, carry the heavy burden of the law,
the mountain, he was the lawgiver and ruled the and exert itself. But if you direct your conscience
people with this law. Do you see the difference? toward heaven, you leave the donkey behind.
Spiritually (on the mountain) he was free from Your conscience knows nothing about the law
the law, but bodily (back among the people) he but looks only to the forgiveness of sins, and
was under the requirements of the law. You will to the righteousness which is revealed and
read more about this later in this book. granted to you in Christ.
But conversely, the donkey knows nothing of
2:14 But when I saw that they walked not this righteousness, and must therefore always
uprightly according to the truth of the gospel be obedient to the law! Short but sweet: on the
… one hand the law must stay out of your heart and
conscience. On the other hand, the liberty of the
Paul just keeps hammering away at the truth of gospel may not enter into your carnal body and
the gospel. Why would that be? your earthly life. Does this happen, regardless?
Evidently, you can preach the gospel – because Then just say to your heart: “You do not belong
Barnabas and Peter did that – and yet not live in this pigsty, in this dross of my corporal life.
accordingly. But to answer your question: this You belong in heaven.”
truth of the gospel is the focal point. Once
again, this truth spells out the difference

44
What must I do if I am so afraid of the law and behavior.
of sin? Law and gospel: please keep them separate. You
Just tell yourself: “There is a time to die and a cannot hear this warning often enough; because
time to live. There is a time to listen to the law, mixing these two together is dangerous.
and a time to despise the law. There is a time to
hear the gospel and a time to know nothing of 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not
the gospel. However, now is not the time to listen sinners of the Gentiles.
to the law, but to the gospel.” Maybe you have
sinned very much. That is possible. But faith in It was apparently a privilege to be a Jew.
Christ makes you free from every sin. That is the That is how Paul saw it as well. And that is
conscience that ascends towards God. also how you have to perceive your status as
Think of the donkey again. In ordinary daily a Christian. You have many advantages over
life, at your work or at school, you are to live worldly people in an outward way, just as the
according to the law. Then it is your duty to do Jews had many advantages over the gentiles.
your best and to work as much as you can. In Just think of the law, circumcision, the Bible,
that way, the donkey remains on the earth. and the promises of God. But … all those
things contribute nothing at all toward your
2:14 … I said unto Peter before them all, if righteousness before God. You can only be
thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner righteous through faith in Christ.
of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do Why does Paul put all the emphasis on this
the Jews? aspect?
Faith is his primary subject. That is what he
What Peter did was obviously not very honest. wants to explain, emphasize and defend.
It was even at the peril of people’s lives! Without faith, all these good things amount to
Because of Peter’s behavior, the pagans who nothing. Even the promises in the Bible do not
had become Christians thought that they would help you then. Even worse: without faith, God
only be justified if they would again abide by a and Christ are of absolutely no benefit to you.
number of laws. By the word “compel” you see
how fiercely Paul reacts to Peter and to his

45
2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by But, do I not have to do these things after all?
the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Of course! But they do not make you righteous.
Christ… You can perform the works of the law before
your justification, but you can also do them after
This pretty much seems to be the focal point of your justification. Paul states that clearly in 1
Paul’s entire epistle. Corinthians 4:4.
You have seen that correctly. In this regard, you In short: as good as the deeds may be which
must first notice the words “works of the law”. Do you perform, you will never, but then again
not think that Paul only means the ceremonial never, receive grace or forgiveness through
laws of the Jews here. He includes everything performing these. Perhaps you have heard that
which is not grace. Therefore, it is not only those good works have grace embedded in them. And
Jewish laws but also the civil laws, yes even the that God is fair-minded and merciful enough to
Ten Commandments. Because, even if you had reward a good deed. The first time you perform
perfectly kept the law “Thou shalt love the Lord such an action, God is still under no obligation
thy God with all thine heart”, then you could still to you. But if you continue to do that good act,
not be saved by this obedience. But you will they say, God will surely grant you this grace
read more about that later. and he is obligated to grant you everlasting life.

Is Paul not speaking specifically about our Is that not true?

sinning against the law, and stating that we are Oh, not at all! It is the theology of the antichrist.
not justified because of those sins? And it is at odds with the Christian doctrine.
It is understandable that you would conclude
that, yet you are incorrect. Whenever Paul That sounds rather coarse.
speaks of “the works of the law” he actually It is better to sharply contrast matters to
means those deeds which are according to the highlight what is wrong here. Try to follow my
law. Such as no killing, no divorcing, no stealing. reasoning. If it is truly the case that in your state
Even if you do live up to this (and the law of God of death you can perform a good work by which
is good!), even then this outward obedience you earn grace from God; that in that same
cannot make you better before God. grace you receive strength to show love and do
good works, and that – in turn - you again earn

46
everlasting life through these works … Then you really think that God granted him grace for that
must pose yourself the question: What do I still activity? Certainly not! You can see by this how
need God’s grace, the forgiveness of your sins, far astray a person can be in his religion.
and the promises, death, and victory of Christ
for? Is Christ not totally superfluous for you As far as this point of good works and human
then? You can do it all yourself, you have a free merit are concerned, what is actually the main
will to do what is good, by which you can earn point of the Christian doctrine?
this grace. Do you see how anti-Christian this First of all, you must learn to know yourself as a
doctrine is? sinner through your failure to abide by the law.
That it is impossible for you to perform even one
Does that mean that I can only do things that good work. You are a corrupt tree that can only
are against God? bear evil fruits, regardless of your efforts. As
Precisely. You do not just sin against the law a result, you only increase the guilt every day,
itself, but directly against God. It is the hatred because “whatever is not of faith is sin”, see
against Him which lodges in your heart; the Romans 14:23. Earning grace through good
ingratitude, the complaining, the despising, yes: works is very similar to trying to be reconciled to
the refusal to do His will. It is a deadly sin that God by sinning. Which is no less than laughing at
you can only think and act against Him. If you God and provoking His anger. Has the law taught
really know this corruption of your heart, you you that you are evil through and through? Did
will no longer talk about good works which earn this terrify you and make you humble? Do you
grace. confess that there is not the slightest spark of
love towards God in you? Do you admit that you
How has Paul learned all this? have earned eternal death? You see: that is the
Watch him go on the road to Damascus. first part of the Christian doctrine: the preaching
He thought he was doing a good work. He of repentance and knowledge of self.
persecuted Jesus of Nazareth and wanted to
get rid of the gospel. He murdered Christians Does the second part deal with salvation?
and destroyed the congregations of Christ. What It flows naturally from the first part. Do you
he was doing was gruesome, but he himself want to be saved from that terrible state in
thought that he could earn heaven by it. Do you which you are held? That is not possible

47
through performing some work. But, how then? Is love not important then?
Through God’s Son, whom He has sent to this Of course, it is; but you must never put it in the
earth so that you should live through Him. He place of faith. Look: there are people who say:
was crucified, He died for you, and has borne “Faith is just the shell. Love has to bring color to
all your sins in His body. There are no merits it. Faith only comes to life when there is love.”
before grace. Before grace, you only find wrath, Please do not go along with such reasoning.
terror, and death. The law gives you nothing, Faith grasps hold of Christ and it is He who
but it drives you to Christ, where you receive provides that color. Faith cannot coexist with
grace. God grants you this grace freely. You do sin, in the hope that love will come again and
not have to do anything in exchange. Especially will make faith alive again. Do you know what
that aspect is to His honor. Expecting that you true faith is? A fixed confidence in your heart
can earn something by doing good, is therefore whereby you grasp hold of Christ. He should be
nothing less than stealing His honor. the Object toward which your faith directs itself.
Yes, He is present in your faith.
As Luther continues to explain this text, he
elaborates extensively on the teachings of So, the basis of righteousness is faith, not love.
so-called sophists. These were people who You have stated that well. The basis is indeed
claimed that because of a good work God trusting upon Christ, even though you cannot
would grant His love. And that this love is see Him. And then to still believe that He is
a type of basic position which serves as present. It is not love which will cause your faith
the foundation for the justification and to grow and to bear fruits, but Christ will do this
sanctification of a person. Because we have for you. No, you cannot understand this, because
already
The sameencountered
applies to this
Luther’s
line of
arguments
thought compared to this wisdom your thoughts are like
previously,
against Scotus
this portion
and Occam,
of the two
commentary
persons thick darkness. But even in the dark clouds
has been
who taughtskipped.
that a person can allure or draw which hung around Sinai, God was present! So,
out the love of God. But Luther places faith can there also be faith when everything seems
as central. The original text of this portion dark? Yes, then Christ is there as well, in the
can be found on pages 90 and 91 of Luther’s midst of the darkness.
commentary.

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How does that go again? Do I not have to know time and again. Think of David and Peter, who
my sins first? fell into terrible sins. Do you think they did not
Absolutely, you have just read about that. When get to feel this? But as a believer, you may then
is that knowledge sufficient? When you begin to always fall back upon the doctrine of justification.
long for a Mediator and Savior. Then comes the God no longer imputes your sins to you, see
gospel, which says: “Son, be of good cheer; thy Romans 4. After all, the Mediator Jesus Christ
sins be forgiven thee”, Matthew 9:2. Believe in has paid for it.
Jesus Christ, who was crucified for your sins.
Do you feel your sins? Do not look to yourself, What if I have not accepted Him by faith yet?
but consider that they have been laid upon Then there is also no forgiveness or mercy,
Christ “through whose stripes you are healed”, but your sins can only be charged against you
Isaiah 53:5. Believe it: that is how salvation personally. Why? Because God can only be
begins; that is how you are freed from sins; that glorified in His Son. And you can only do good
is how you are justified; that is how you obtain works by faith in Christ.
everlasting life. Are you really a believer? Then your faith will
certainly bear fruit. Love God and your neighbor,
If I experience that, then there is no sin left in call upon Him, think about Him, preach, praise,
my life at all? confess, do well, serve your neighbor and do
If only that were true. Keep the following three your duty. Because then these are truly good
truths closely knit together: in the first place is works. In this way, you will also be better
faith, in the second place is Christ, and in the equipped to endure various difficulties in your
third place is appropriation or imputation. Faith life. Because Jesus is gentle and His burden is
seizes upon Christ and holds Him in view. In light, see Matthew 11:30.
that way, you are as a ring around the gemstone
Christ, and you are righteous before God. But How could I best define a Christian?
the imputation of Christ’s righteousness is It is not someone who does not have or feel sins.
also necessary because you are not righteous You are a Christian when, by faith in Christ, your
through your own purity. There are always new sins are no longer charged against you. That
sins remaining in your life. And that is why you alone gives comfort, especially when troubles
need the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, or anxiety overwhelm you. As a Christian, you

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should not meddle with the law, especially not on my work, but on His. Not my love, but His.
when your sins are bothering you. You stand Christ is the bridegroom. When he is with His
above the law and sin because Christ is the bride, he must not be bothered. The family
Lord over this law. members (read: the law, works) have to remain
at a distance. Oh yes, there comes a time when
But the law can accuse me so terribly. the bridegroom comes outside again. That is the
Then look upon Christ! You have conquered time for works of love.
the law, sin, death, and the devil by faith. Christ
rules over them so that they cannot harm you. 2:16 … that we might be justified by the faith
Short and sweet: a Christian is not bound by of Christ, and not by the works of the law …
law. Cling to this, because if this Sun, Christ,
no longer shines over you, everything becomes That seems like a nice conclusion after all I
dark, and you no longer see your way out. have read.
That is why you must also ponder these words
2:16 … even we have believed in Jesus thoroughly. As you have already seen before,
Christ … Paul is not only talking here about the ceremonial
laws but about all laws. Also, about the Ten
Believing: Does it always come down to that? Commandments. You cannot be justified through
That is certainly true in justification. Not because them either, but only through faith in Christ. You
of love, as you sometimes hear. As long as it find a very clear example of this with Abraham.
is about this component of the doctrine, that is He received a law: sacrifice your son Isaac. It
about justification, you must remain far removed was a good work which Abraham was doing.
from the law. But was he justified because of that? No “And
Abraham believed God and it was accounted to
Does it not say in the Bible that the law is good, him for righteousness”, Romans 4:3.
righteous, and holy?
That is nice, but now is not the time for that. 2:16 … for by the works of the law shall no
Now the topic is: how you can be righteous flesh be justified.
before God. And the law plays no role in this.
No, your righteousness centers on Christ. Not What must I understand by “flesh”?

50
Paul means the same by this word as the Lord to the spirit, as you have read before. This
Jesus did when he said: “Whatsoever is born difference is very important because otherwise,
of the flesh, is flesh”, John 3:6. You can include we would be saying that even though we seek
under this our human nature, the understanding, justification in Christ, we - at the same time -
and everything which belongs to being human. remain sinners under the law. Thereby you
You should not think that this refers only to would be saying that the law is still necessary
negative things. Because Paul also includes to completely justify you. But then you will
your wisdom, your religion, and your prayers have Paul, and thereby the Bible, against you.
under this term “flesh”. And this flesh is not Then you are doing no less than making Christ
justified through doing works; not even through into a lawgiver and a servant of sin (see the
the works of the law. continuation of the text below).
Moreover, this not only applies to you, but also
to the deacon, the elder, and the preacher in Paul is probably talking about those fake
your congregation. ministers in Galatia again?
It is not only against them but also against all
2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by people who want to be saved by keeping the
Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners law. They make a Christ out of Moses, and a
… Moses out of Christ, and say: “If you do not do
your utmost to fulfill the law, you will never be
The statement that no person becomes righteous justified, even if you believe in Christ.” In this
through doing works is quite clear now. What is way, Christ is of no more use to you than the
Paul going to do next? law is. Then He “only” teaches you that you are
He will support this position with arguments. He a sinner, but the law does this as well.
does this in a Hebraic and theological manner.
Actually, Paul says here: “Only one thing can be Must I then not become a sinner before God?
true: you are either justified through Christ or Yes, you must, but the law teaches you that.
through the law.” Once you become such a sinner, then Christ is
there to embrace you and to pronounce you free
But we remain sinners, nonetheless? from sins - if you believe the gospel. Christ is
According to the flesh we do, but not according the end of the law for everyone who believes:

51
“Behold the Lamb of God who carries away the What is that: a servant4 of sin?
sins of the world.” A lawgiver, teacher, or performer of the law.
Someone who says to you that you must live
Is it really so simple? right, must show love, carry your cross, endure
What do you think? Or are you also one of those all suffering, and follow Christ. If this is the most
who laughs at a believing Christian, saying: important objective in your life, then you are
“Ha, ha! What is all that about faith? Do you a servant of the law, with all your doings and
really expect that you will enter heaven that failings. Yes, a servant of sin, of wrath, and of
way? Nothing doing; you need to fulfill the law. death. As a consequence of this doctrine you
Does it not say in Luke 10:28 “Do this and you are and remain anxious in your conscience.
shall live”? You must suffer, spill blood, leave After all, you can never keep this law perfectly,
your house, parents, wife, children: follow the even if you have the Holy Spirit in your heart.
example of Christ! Faith alone? That makes you Because the flesh always strives against the
self-assured, lazy, and haughty.” spirit. In short: if you are of this mindset, you are
Again, do you say that as well? That is not very laying upon yourself and others a burden that is
wise, because then you draw others from the not bearable, and you drive yourself and those
faith, from baptism, from the promises of Christ. others to despair.
Then you make the gospel into law and the law
into the gospel. I have asked this before but will ask it again. You
cannot be saved without law, can you?
Luther continues with this subject, but then You have to keep the purpose of the law clearly
from the perspective of what the Roman before you. The law does not save but persuades
Catholic Church and the Pope teach. This you - as a self-assured person - that you are
is a repeat of what he has just explained in in captivity to sin. That you are very guilty and
such detail. You can find the original text on have earned death. Yes, it so terrifies you, that
pages 102 and 103. you turn white and face away, and you already
begin to shudder when you hear the rustling of

2:17 … is therefore Christ the minister of 4 The Greek has the word diakonos, which means servant,
sin? … but is based on a still older word which indicates someone
who runs errands.

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a leaf on a tree. If you experience this, you are of God is something totally different from the
under the law. judgment of people.” Do you see it? Even this
And do you know what this law does to you? It hermit could not rely upon his own good works
condemns you. “Cursed is everyone who does when death came.
not do all that is written in the book of the law to
do it”, see Deuteronomy 27:26. Is there a clear example of the function of the
law in the Bible?
So, the law only brings us death? There certainly is. Just think of the giving of the
You are right. That is why Paul also calls this law at Sinai. The people had to get out of their
doctrine of keeping the law “the administration tents and go to the mountain. See them standing
of death”, see 2 Corinthians 3:7. Truly, the law there. Just previously they had said to Moses:
always says: “You have not done enough.” The “All that God says, we will do.” And now? They
knowledge of sin – that is the genuine awareness are in terror of the lightning, the thunder, and
of sins which makes you feel the wrath of God - the trumpets. They hastily retreat, and say to
causes your heart to shudder in fear, and brings Moses: “You may speak with God, but do not let
you to despair. That is: unless you are raised up Him speak with us, otherwise we will die.”
through faith in Christ. That is the work of the law. It drags you out of
your tent of so-called peace and self-confidence
Do my best efforts not help at all, even if I live and places you before God’s countenance. The
like a hermit? law lets you feel in your conscience that you
Not even then. Interesting that you should have not obeyed God sufficiently and that you
mention the example of a hermit. There once must therefore endure the wrath of God. But
was one who shortly before his death stood for also, that you cannot bear this wrath at all. Then
three days looking up to heaven in total silence, you say the same as the people of Israel did:
and in sorrow. When people asked him why “Do not let God speak with me …”
he did that, he answered that he was afraid of
death. “Come on, you have certainly lived a 2:17 … God forbid.5
saintly life!”, was the people’s response. But he
shook his head. “I have truly lived a pious life 5 This expression came from Tyndale’s Bible and appears
and fulfilled the laws of God, but the judgment about two dozen times; four times in Galatians alone. It is
very unlike the AV to still have used such a borderline ex-

53
When I read about the law, I certainly become “Your conscience is guilty before the law, sin,
very downcast. and death. But the gospel came and it proclaims
That is also why Paul continues and places to you that your sins are forgiven through Christ,
Christ opposite Moses. Moses (the law) has who has fulfilled the law and destroyed sin and
to die, and nobody knows exactly where he is death. Believe, and you will be free from the
buried. Christ has fulfilled the law; and He has curse of the law. You will be righteous and have
been victorious over sin, wrath, and death. Paul everlasting life.”
instructs you to look to Him and to believe in So, it is like this: Moses goes out; Christ comes
Him. If the law is set aside in this way, because in. Do not think that Paul is here stating that
you believe in Christ, then you are free from the circumcision is part of the justification of a sinner
power of the law. After all, is Christ not the Lamb either, which would have been a denial of Christ.
of God who bears the sins of the world? And if
you believe in Him, then he has borne your sins. Yet the Lord Jesus also calls upon me to do
Carried them away. Then His wrath, death, and what is right.
condemnation are also gone. Instead of wrath, Oh yes, for Christ you must be willing to give up
there is reconciliation and grace. Instead of everything, as it were, and to endure much evil.
death, there is life. Instead of damnation, there You should even be willing to give your life for
is everlasting salvation. Him. But, please do not think that you can earn
heaven with this, because that is certainly not
2:18 For if I build again the things which I the case. Even if you would voluntarily go to the
destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. stake for Christ; even that does not make you
righteous before God.
That would be something: Paul preaching the
law instead of the gospel!
As far as the justification of a sinner is concerned,
that is fortunately not going to happen. No, Paul
does not make a Moses out of Christ or a Christ
out of Moses. He continues to teach you this:

pression. Most English translations simply have something

like “Never!” or “May it never be”.

54
 Ephesians 4: “He has taken captivity captive.”
In this context, Luther writes in great detail
Hosea 13:14: “Death, I will be a death for you;
about the wording of the absolution, a
hell, I will be a pestilence for you.” And here Paul
kind of “prayer” which was spoken after
states that by the law he died to the law.
the confession, and which was to give the
sinner forgiveness of sins. Luther calls
What does he mean by that?
it an “indescribable and inexpressible
He sees the law of Moses. It accuses him and
abomination”. If at school or elsewhere you
even condemns him. However, he contrasts this
hear about absolution, and you want to
laws with another law: that of grace and liberty.
know more about it, then go to page 114 of
And that law begins to do to the law of Moses
Luther’s Commentary on the Epistle to the
what the law of Moses does to you: accuse and
Galatians.
condemn. In this way, the one death kills the
other death.
Surely you cannot call the law of grace a death?
2:19 For I through the law am dead to the
You are right to say that this law is our life.
law …
However, Paul still calls it death, because it is the
death of death. You can detect some indignation
Does Paul here place the law in opposition to
here. Thus, righteousness is sometimes called
the law?
sin, because it condemns sin.
When you read the Bible, you must take note
that very often two apparently identical things
Not many people would understand this.
are placed as opposites. Law over against law,
You can be sure of that. The false apostles had
sin over against sin, death over against death,
taught in Galatia that you could not live before
imprisonment over against imprisonment, devil
God without keeping the law. Yet here Paul says
over against devil, hell over against hell …
that you can only live before God if you have
died to the law. So, these arguments clash with
I would be curious to see some examples of this.
each other.
Take Romans 8:3: “God sending his own
It is understandable if you also find this difficult
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin,
yourself. It would be much more logical to say
condemned sin in the flesh.” Psalm 68 and
that you are living for God if you do what He

55
commands in His law. But believe this: for a You need faith for this. And if you receive faith, a
Christian the law (also the Ten Commandments) new law comes into your conscience. That law
plays no role because he has died to it. That then begins to destroy the old law which held you
does not mean, as you have already read captive. Think of the grave of the Lord Jesus. It
before, that the law is gone. It continues to live was empty after He had risen. That is also how
for the godless. However, as a Christian, you it is when you believe in Christ. Then you arise
have died to the law, just as you have died to with Him, you leave the grave (which is the law)
sin, the devil, death, and hell. and it remains empty. The law no longer has a
Dying is rather final. Does that apply here as single right to hold you captive, because you
well? have risen with Christ.
Certainly! Paul does not say: I am temporarily
delivered from it. Or: I have mastered the law. Maybe I have run across this before already, but
No, he has died to the law. It is stated here with I will ask it once more. Does the law not continue
great emphasis. Paul is, as it were, dead to the to play a role in my life?
law, and its demands and accusations are dead You have been able to read this once before, but
to him. it is good that you ask it again. The difference
between the righteousness of the law and the
What does it really mean to die to the law? righteousness of grace is certainly the most
That you no longer walk along with the law like difficult aspect of the Christian faith. Because
a little dog on a leash, but you are free. Do you you must make a strict separation between your
want to live for God? Then seek your life outside conscience and your flesh. Your conscience is
of the law and arise from the grave with Christ. free by faith, but your body remains, as it were,
And just as amazed as the soldiers were when lying on a bier and it never again gets free from
the Lord Jesus came out of the grave, people will this law during this life. It has to continue to obey.
be when they hear that you are only righteous
before God if you have died to the law. And what if I do not see that difference so
clearly?
I must say that I still find this difficult to Then you will confuse things, sin will again
understand. oppress and your conscience will be distraught.
With the understanding, this is indeed impossible. But then think and act on this counsel: Awake

56
and believe in Christ, who has overcome the returns again and his teeth are sharp again. But
law and death. Then you can again leave the when I believe in Christ, I can say: “Yes, I sin,
law behind you. And only then can you do good but all my sins are with Christ, who has carried
works and love God and your neighbor. That is these sins away.”
only possible by faith.
But not only the law attacks, the devil attacks
Why is it that, as a Christian, I so often fear that as well!
I have it all wrong? Just take courage in faith, and say to him: “Mister
Because during this life you are tested. The law devil, do not get so excited, just be calm. Did
tries to attack you time and again. If not during you know that there is Someone who is called
this life, then it will be at your death. But do not Christ? It is Him I believe in. He has disposed of
let yourself be frightened! Here are examples the law, condemned sin, conquered death, and
of some of the nasty remarks that the law can ravaged hell. Mister devil, He is your devil. He
make. has made you His prisoner and has overcome
“You have sinned.” you so that you can no longer damage me and
That is certainly true. all the fellow believers.”
“Then God will punish you and cast you away.” Be at ease. The devil can never ever defeat your
No. faith. He has lost against this very faith. “This
“Yes, indeed. The law of God clearly says so.” is the victory which overcometh the world, our
I have nothing to do with the law. faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but
“Why not?” he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God”,
I have another law, which has killed this law. 1 John 5: 4 and 5.
That is why I am free.
“What do you mean: free?” Does everything then revolve around the Lord
I have the liberty of Christ. I am free of the law Jesus?
through Him. If I live by faith, the law no longer Absolutely. By faith, He is your law, your sin,
has sharp teeth. These are then broken by the your death against that other law, sin and death.
law of grace. The sting is removed and her And at the same time, He is your wisdom, your
weapons no longer cause me pain. Granted, righteousness, and your life and salvation. He
when I am weak or fall into unbelief, the law is everything in a double manner. He is the law

57
and He is liberty. He is your sin and He is your To indicate how the one law, as it were, devours
righteousness. He is death and He is life. How? the other law. It is not without purpose that the
Christ gave Himself in order to be accused by apostle refers to Christ. He is, after all, the Lord
the law, condemned by sin, and destroyed by of the law, who was crucified and thereby died
death. In order that – in Him - you can be free, to the law. So that by grace and in faith you are
receive righteousness and eternal life. therefore also a lord over the law because you
are crucified with Christ and so have died to
How nice it would be if, as a Christian, I would the law. In the same way as the law, sin, death
never be bothered by sin, law and death again. and the devil have lost their right to lay claim to
Paul would also prefer that you would never Christ, this also applies to you.
encounter these again. That you would always
look to Christ alone from now on; to let Him How must I understand my crucifixion?
fight the duel between the two sides of your life. Perhaps you think that this crucifixion is following
Law against law, sin against sin, death against after Christ and daily taking up your cross.
death. Yes, that He is even your devil against Suffering in your body and bearing shame for
the devil so that you would become His child. He His Name. But no, that is not what Paul means
ravages hell so that you can obtain the Kingdom here. This is the crucifixion of sin, death, and
of heaven. devil in your life. Christ has killed them, and if
you are also crucified by faith, they are also
2:19 … that I might live unto God. dead for you.

Does this mean that I can only live unto God if I 2:20 … nevertheless I live …
have died to the law?
That is what Paul means. But do keep in mind So, Paul did not die after all?
the difference between your conscience and Only to the law, and that is especially why he
your body, about which you have already read says: “I live. Now that I am delivered from the
extensively before. law and from death by the crucifying of the law,
I am finally truly alive.” That means that this
2:20 I am crucified with Christ … crucifixion is your resurrection and your life.
Why does Paul add this statement here yet? That sounds contradictory, but it is really true.

58
How that can be? Because Christ crucifies the not raise you up again, in faith.
devil, kills death, condemns sin, and ties up the
law. If you believe that, you are free from the 2:20 … but Christ liveth in me ….
law.
What exactly does Paul mean by “I” and “me”?
2:20 … yet not I … It refers to that part of his being that follows
the law and which must earn something. It is
What is it going to be here: is he alive or is he also the part that is separated from Christ. But
not? you will understand now that Paul specifically
Paul is pointing away from himself here and is pushes this part of himself away. Away with it,
saying that his life is no longer in himself but in it belongs to death and to hell. That is why he
Christ. That is what you must also always do says “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” It
when it comes to justification: point away from is Christ who gives color to his life, as the color
yourself. If you do not do that, then you will end of paint decorates the wall. Are you a Christian?
in yourself, and you will again try to accomplish Then it is Christ who lives in you. He is melted
something by doing good and resisting evil. together with you, and you and He are one. Your
However, your conscience and Christ must be life is Christ Himself.
united, so that you see no one but Christ, the
crucified and risen One. If that is so, I need not be afraid of anything.
That is not necessary either, because where
Why is it so dangerous to look to myself? Christ is, there are no enemies anymore. He
Because this thought could then easily arise: destroys all the evil which tries to torment and
“Christ is now in heaven and I am on earth. How pester you. He makes you free from the terrors
can I ever come to Him?” The next step is that of the law, sin, and death. He brings you into
you then want to live in holiness before God. His realm. A Kingdom of grace, righteousness,
You figure out what God demands of you, what peace, joy, life, salvation, and everlasting praise.
you must do, and what you must not do. And Therefore, you must always be united to Him,
before you know it, you have lost sight of Christ. so that you live in Him and He in you. Is it not
Looking to your own life and deeds only leads terrific to be able to say it that way? And do you
you to despair. Then you will perish, if God does see what Paul does? He draws you away from

59
yourself, from the law, and from your own works. A person could easily mock with this text if they
Why? In order to implant you into Christ and into were ill-disposed.
His faithfulness. When it comes to justification, That could certainly be done. “What are you
there is nothing but grace. telling us, Paul: Are you dead? Then how can
you talk and write?” But a Christian who has a
I am still somewhat confused about what Paul weak faith could also have a very difficult time
said about death, dying and life. with this. “What? You: dead? But I see you living
You are correct in noticing that this is a very and working!”
unusual way of speaking. You could almost call Paul gives the reply that Christ now dwells
it foolish. “I live – I do not live. I have died – I in him. He makes a separation between his
have not died. I am a sinner – I am not a sinner. normal bodily life and the new, strange life. “I do
I have a law – I have no law.” And yet … this is not live like Paul, because he is dead. Who is it
all true in and through faith in Christ. then that lives? Christ!” So, it is not necessary
to mock with it, because it involves a good type
So by faith I am one with the Lord Jesus? of double life. Paul no longer lives his own life,
You are indeed united to Christ by faith so that because that was life under the law. But he has
you can say: “I am Christ.” And in turn, He says: died to that, and that death gives him a strange
“I am that sinner, he or she is mine and I am his life: life in Christ. From whom he had received
or her possession.” Then you are one body, by that? From Christ, by faith.
faith, as is written in Ephesians 5:30 “For we are
members of His body, of His flesh and of His 2:20 … and the life which I now live in the
bones.” flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God …
This faith binds you to Christ more firmly than
your father and mother are united to each other Does Paul not consider his life to be important?
by marriage. No, faith is not just a minor thing, He considers ordinary life to be only a mask,
never think that! It is something so great in itself behind which the life of that Other is concealed:
that nothing is required to make faith strong the life of Christ. You cannot see that life, but you
or active. If God grants you faith, then that is can hear it. Just as you can hear the wind, “but
sufficient. No love or anything else is required do not know where it comes from or where it is
from you. going”, see John 3:8. So you see Paul actually

60
eating, drinking, sleeping, etc., but this is not his without impure thoughts arising. When this
actual life. occurs, this glance is not carnal, although you
are looking with your bodily eyes. Then the eyes
Yet he says that he does indeed experience that are only the tools with which to see that woman.
life in his body. Yet the purity of that glance is from heaven.
But not according to the will of that body, and Also, think of Paul. After his conversion, he
therein lies the difference. He lives in faith, out certainly did not begin to talk in a different way.
of faith, and by faith. In this way, Paul does use He continued to use the same mouth. But now
all the things which belong to this life, but he no slander came from it, but thanksgiving,
does not make this life his priority, the way you praise, and worship. That was made possible by
would if you lived a worldly life. faith and through the Holy Spirit. That is how it
is when you live in the flesh, but then by faith in
What difference does that make? the Son of God. Then He has silenced the flesh
He says as it were: “The words which I speak, are and your life no longer belongs with your body,
words of the Holy Spirit and of Christ. The glance but with Christ.
which my eye casts, does not proceed from me,
but from the Holy Ghost.” As a Christian, you 2:20 … who loved me, and gave himself for
should not use strange language. Because that me.
would be “carnal”. No, you speak good, pure,
holy, and godly words which are appropriate Now Paul himself also begins to talk about love;
for one who confesses Christ; which are to so that must be important after all.
the honor of God and to the salvation of your Read closely what it says. This is not about your
neighbor. Where do these come from? Not from love, but God’s love. He loves and He gives
your body, although they are uttered by your Himself. Nothing can come from your side. Do
corporal mouth. In this context, you can view not let anyone persuade you that you can still
your body as a tool with which to accomplish do something good and that God will approve
this beautiful work. of this. Something like: “God does not require
more of a person than he can do!” That sounds
Can you give another example of this? good in your ears, does it not? And in society
In faith you can, as a man, look at a woman that is a good standard. But not in the spiritual

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Kingdom, because there you are “sold under offer to an angry God? He who is a “consuming
sin”, see Romans 7:14. fire”, see Deuteronomy 4:24. How would you
dare, when you hear that there is such an
Can I then not do anything good at all? enormous amount of evil in you so that no one
In your ordinary life, you can. You can get less than the Son of God had to be surrendered
good grades at school, and you can produce because of it!
impressive results at your job. However, you Do you now also see that it is a gruesome sin
can do nothing good in the spiritual realm. Your to think that you can also contribute something
understanding and your will are darkened and yourself yet? Only the blood of God’s Son is
are focused on wrong things. They are full of sufficient: You contribute nothing to it or towards
error and evil. That is why you read so clearly in it.
this text: “He has loved me and given Himself for
me.” So, he finds no acceptable will in you, even Is that why it so clearly states “for me”?
if you are a genuine Christian. He has had mercy Otherwise, I could have done it myself.
on you. When you were a Christian? No, when This “me” is indeed a lost and condemned
you were still a godless person, one wandering sinner, who is loved by God’s Son, who has
away. You fought against God and you were in surrendered Himself for him or her. These words
bondage to the devil. That was precisely your are full of power to strengthen your faith. If you
condition when He loved you. And that with a may express this little word “my” and thereby
love which exceeds your capacity to understand. appropriate the work of Christ to yourself, as that
is referred to; then you can resist every attack.
How reassuring that sounds to me. “For me”. That stands radically opposed to the
Certainly, but are you not forgetting that, at law because the law has never yet loved you.
the same time, these words are directed as
thunder and lightning against your own self- If I were to describe Christ, how should I do that?
righteousness? And do you see the greatness With the words of this text. Paul has described
of your evil; that such an immeasurably high Christ here as a Priest. He reconciles you to
price has to be placed over against it? Do you God. He takes your side. He prays for you. He
then still have something to contribute? A little gives Himself as a sacrifice for your sins. He
prayer? Your love? Not at all! What would you delivers you. Not because you deserve that, not

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even to the tiniest degree. No, He does that out Get in the habit of not skipping this “me”, but
of pure mercy and love. rather appropriating it to yourself. Grasp hold
Therefore, you must never view Christ as a of it with a firm faith. If you truly know that you
second Moses, as a demander or lawgiver. He are a sinner in Adam and you also confess that,
is the Giver of grace; the Savior and the Merciful why then would you not be justified through
one. the righteousness of Christ? Especially when
you read that “He has loved “me” and has
That is indeed how I have always heard Him surrendered Himself for “me”.
being preached about.
Then you are very fortunate. There are numerous 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God …
persons who have known him since infancy as (Luther has translated this with: “I do not cast
a Judge. They all have to learn to abandon that the grace of God away.”)
perception. If you say that you have indeed Does Paul say that being saved through works
heard Christ being preached as the Savior, then is casting away the grace of God?
you are in a favorable position to also learn to Can you imagine a worse sin? Throwing away
know Him as such. this grace, and refusing to let yourself be justified
This must not only be theoretical for you. What through faith in Christ … You are such a great
matters is that your daily life must be based on sinner already; must you pile this sin on top of
the awareness that you are justified in Christ. all that? Grace and forgiveness of your sins are
offered to you through Christ. Would you then
What if I am very afraid and there is sorrow in throw that away without any shame? That would
my heart? be terrible! It is exactly this sin that Paul and the
Do not become discouraged, and do not other apostles continually had in mind.
immediately conclude that it is God who does
this. The devil often comes in the name of a It is a terrible sin. You surely cannot just commit
“christ”, to make you think Christ is a Judge. But this easily?
no, for an anxious and sorrowful heart, Christ is Do not assume that too readily. It is so easy to
joy and sweetness. Read once more with what despise grace, to spit Christ in the face, to put
homage Paul refers to Him: “who has loved me Him in His place, and to say: “Now just let me
and surrendered Himself for me.” do it myself. I do not need Thee.” How do you

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do that? By again adhering to all the little rules, That is why you must have nothing to do with
living neatly, and expecting to be saved in this such ideas. Is it not despicable to think that God
way. is playing a game with us when He sends His
When you hear about rejecting the grace of Son to the earth to rescue us? Because that is
Christ, you must not immediately think of all what you are saying if you still want to contribute
kinds of gross and notorious sins. It is the sin of something towards your own salvation. Do not
wanting to be saved by works, and that urge lies allow that heinous view to take hold. It would
closer at hand than you realize. be better for you to condemn all the holiness of
the angels to hell than to agree with this terrible
2:21 … for if righteousness come by the law, doctrine!
then Christ is dead in vain. Nothing overrates Christ. He has to be your
greatest treasure. So great, that everything else
Paul is again referring to the entire law. Does becomes dirty and petty. That He is such a great
this then also include the Ten Commandments? Light in your life, that you cannot even see that
Certainly! Paul’s reasoning is very logical. there still is a law.
Imagine (this is not possible, but imagine)
that you have done everything which God had
At the end of this chapter Luther once
commanded, and thereby obtained the Holy
again talks about the Pope and the so-
Spirit, and so were righteous before God. Then
called sophists, to again indicate that they
would you need Christ? No, of course not. Well,
are totally in error with their ideas, and are
says Paul, if you want to be saved in that way,
rejecting the grace of Christ. You find this on
then Christ has died for you in vain.
page 139.

In vain?
All for nothing! He was born for nothing, became After reading this chapter it is clear to me that
a High Priest for nothing, and became an the law has been dismissed.
immeasurable Sacrifice for nothing. This would It is dismissed insofar as it concerns your
all have no value whatsoever for you. justification as a sinner. The law is like an
extremely expensive coat of one hundred
That is terrible. thousand euros. Well, then you may as well

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stay at home with your five cents. That is how
the law is no more than a half-worn-out penny
compared to Christ. Not worth anything.
But, as you have read before already, the law
is and remains good. God has given the law,
which goes far beyond your understanding, and
lets you see what you must do and must not
do. If the law was not there, you would know
nothing at all anymore, and you would wander
in darkness. That is why Paul uses these strong
words: “If justification is through the law, then
Christ has died in vain.”

What must I do?

That is very simple. Place the death of Christ
over against all the laws which you know of, and
say with Paul that you know nothing else but
Christ, and Him crucified. Only in that way will
you be filled with knowledge, be righteous and
holy, and you will receive the Holy Spirit. And He
will preserve you in the purity of the Word and
of faith. Because if Christ disappears, it is all in
vain.

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Chapter 3 Unmercifully giving someone a dressing-down
- in an immature fit of anger - is obviously not
3:1 O foolish Galatians … right. No, the point is to correct the error which
has been made. And that is exactly what Paul
Paul certainly begins this chapter with strident does here towards the Galatians. He is not
language. trying to humiliate them but to bring them back
Yes, when you say that someone is insane, on the right track.
bewitched, and disobedient to the truth; that is
certainly being strident. It could have been holy Is such impolite language even Biblical?
indignation and passion which caused Paul to What do you think the Lord Jesus did? He called
say this. But it could also have been mercy and the Pharisees serpents, brood of vipers, and
Christian love. sons of the devil, see Matthew 23:33. Those
are quite the scolding terms. But they are also
Is it wise to be so severe with people? words of the Holy Spirit, as of a faithful Friend.
It is if you are socially superior to them. A You have to see this in the light of Proverbs
minister is certainly allowed to be hard on you 27:6: “Better are the wounds of a friend than
on occasion, as a congregant. That is paternal the kisses of an enemy.” One abusive term is
and saintly. The same applies to your father, not the same as another, and it also makes a
mother, or schoolteacher. Sometimes they say difference who utters them. From one person
something to you which you would not tolerate it would be an act of kindness, from another it
from someone your own age. The government would be offensive.
may also punish you if you have done something
wrong. If the church, the government, or society Paul refers to the readers of his epistle as
do not punish you, they cannot properly fulfill “Galatians”, instead of brothers as he had done
their duties. before.
He does this consciously. You must realize
Are angry words really necessary? that the Galatians had the reputation of lacking
Absolutely, also in your life. But: they may not sound judgment. Just like it was well known that
be uttered in anger. They may only be used to the Cretans were called liars.
express paternal concern and Christian zeal. That is why Paul says “Galatians”. Something

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like: “You are what your name indicates: of no who had received the Holy Spirit during Paul’s
understanding.” These people’s native character sermons. But all those wrong inclinations which
had now surfaced again, in regard to the gospel remained were as a box full of matches. It would
By now they should have been particularly wise only take one spark from those false apostles,
in the gospel, after everything Paul had told and whoosh, it would all go up in flames.
them.
What can I learn from this?
Did the grace of the Lord not change these Please do not think that you will be free from
people after all? sinning once you have received grace from the
Did you think that a congregation of Christ is Lord. That you will no longer make mistakes.
without sins? Grace does not make perfect Yes, much filth and impurity have gone.
people, you know. There are always remnants Especially unbelief, the head of the serpent, is
of the old nature with its faults to be found. crushed. But its slithering body, the remnants of
Imagine if you are quick-tempered, and you are sin, remain in you.
then converted to God. Then the sharp edges
will disappear from your character, and you will 3:1 … who hath bewitched you, that ye
be much gentler. Yet, some of that excitability should not obey the truth …
will always remain in you. One person has a
gentle character, another is hard. You also see It seems as though Paul is speaking to children
that difference resurface in the way the Bible here.
gets explained. One person lays the emphasis That is how the Galatians actually behaved
here, another lays it elsewhere. In this way the since they allowed themselves to be misled so
Holy Spirit uses various kinds of tools, you could easily. Exactly like children let that happen by
say. means of some fairytale figure. By the way, here
you clearly see that Paul warns against magic
Then the Lord must have a lot of patience. and witchcraft. He does that here, but also in
Sadly, the Holy Spirit is busy for an entire lifetime chapter 5 of his epistle to the Galatians. You
to eradicate all the sins which remain. Not cannot deny it: the devil has great power in the
only amongst the Galatians but also with you. world, and he uses witchcraft extensively to
There were true believers among the Galatians, achieve his ends.

67
Is that still the same in our day? the other hand: are you a discouraged believer?
It is the same throughout all ages. The devil Do not despair! Christ has defeated the devil,
is capable of bringing your five senses under and you will also be victorious through Him!
his spell in such a way, that you would swear Trust in Christ!
you were seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting, or
hearing something, while in reality, no such … who hath bewitched you …
thing exists. But here Paul actually points out a
far more dangerous form of magic: the delusion If I am reading this phrase correctly, then Paul is
of your spirit. The devil is truly a master at that. not placing the blame on the Galatians?
He causes your heart and conscience to run You have indeed seen that correctly. The apostle
wild with impious and false notions. Meanwhile, lays all the blame on those false preachers, of
you just continue to think that these are good whom you have already read before. They had
and pious thoughts. bewitched the members of the congregation
with their doctrine about the law. That is why the
But surely, that cannot apply to me as a Galatians now thought differently about Christ
Christian? and about His work. However, Paul does not
Did you think you are immune to it? The devil just abandon them to their fate, but with this
is so sly that he can deceive even you, even epistle, he tries to break off their enchantment.
if you diligently read your Bible and faithfully You may learn from this that you cannot extricate
attend church. Then you are afraid, while you yourself from such an enchantment. For this,
have no need to be afraid. Or you are happy you need other people who are not misled by
while there is not a single reason to be happy. the devil. The power of the devil is so enormous.
Your thoughts about God and about Christ can He even knows how to present himself as being
also be entirely wrong. Christ. In such a situation you think you are
being tempted by God, instead of by the devil.
What can I do against such delusions? Why would the devil do this? He has only one
If the devil finds you without the sword of God’s purpose: to kill you.
Word in your hand and without the shield of faith
before you, then he will seize you. Therefore, What am I to respond to this?
you always need the spiritual suit of armor. On That gloating fiend, the devil, is so sly. You have

68
no reason whatsoever to be haughty, as though grip, that you cannot obey the truth.” There is
you could master him. Therefore, be humble, good reason to fear the danger of never again
live simply, and call upon the Lord Christ to keep returning to the truth.
you from the tempter.
Do not think that if you have heard the gospel … before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been
a few times, you know everything. If that is how evidently set forth …
you live, you will promptly become a victim of
the devil. Do not say: “I am perfect; I cannot It seems that these Galatians are being left
fall.” Just behave yourself normally, and always without any excuses.
be fearful of falling. Not just today, but also Paul had, as it were, painted Christ before their
tomorrow. eyes. And in such a way, that they could feel
You must realize that even an experienced Him. An artist could not have painted Christ as
preacher continues to be troubled by the devil. tangibly as Paul did in Galatia. But they did not
He cannot deter the devil either. Even he cannot listen at all.
grasp hold of Christ in the way the Bible speaks
of this. The devil repeatedly wedges his way in … crucified among you?
between. But thanks be to God, who keeps you
close to His Word, to faith, and to prayer. The Lord Jesus was not crucified in Galatia,
was He?
… that ye should not obey the truth … Just look at what it says in Hebrews 6:6: “…
seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of
They are sure being told bluntly! God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
This sounds harsh, does it not? But that is That is also what Paul means here. Are you
what happens after it becomes evident that not rejecting the grace of God? Do you still want to
everyone is willing to listen to what Paul has to be saved through your own works? Then Christ
say. He wanted to dispel the delusion, but there has not only died in vain, but then you crucify
were some who deliberately continued in their him again!
own ways. Then you have to state things plainly.
Paul is actually saying: “You are touched in the
head, and this witchcraft has you so firmly in its

69
 In the rest of the explanation of this text, law, then they would have received this Spirit
Luther elaborates on what was happening in a long time ago. That might even apply to you.
the cloisters of his day. That monks crucify Have you not tried your hardest? Do you not live
Christ anew with their self-righteousness. very decently? But have you ever received the
You find the original text on pages 148 and Holy Spirit into your heart by doing something?
149.
No, that has never happened to me.
That is also what the Galatians had to say. They
3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received finally received the Spirit when they heard the
ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by gospel with a believing heart, without having to
the hearing of faith? do anything whatsoever towards it. “When the
preaching of Peter resounded, the Holy Spirit
Why does Paul now enquire about their spiritual fell on those who heard the Word”, see Acts
experience? 10:44.
Because he cannot persuade them any other This is just one of the many examples out of
way. By enquiring how they received the the book of Acts, in which you see that the Holy
Spirit, he brings them into conflict with their Spirit comes during the preaching of the Word.
own experiences. After all, they cannot deny Think of the sermon of Peter on the day of
this. They had definitely not received the Pentecost. Or think of the centurion Cornelius.
Spirit through their own works but through the They did nothing towards this, a fact which the
preaching of the gospel. They knew that very Jews could not understand clearly.
well.
Because the Jews wanted to do many things
So, it was not through keeping the Jewish laws? towards it?
Oh no. Paul again makes a clear distinction They were indeed like those workmen in the
here between the law and the gospel. “Now give parable of the Lord Jesus, see Matthew 20.
us your answer!”, he calls out to the Galatians. “We have worked all day, and they only a single
They definitely could not say that they had hour. And they receive just as much as we do!”
received the Spirit through the law. Besides, if it You could also reason that way. Why do you
was possible to receive the Spirit by keeping the have to abide by all kinds of stipulations which

70
bring you no reward, while a secular youngster the same faith. The only difference is this: The
gets converted to God as in a flash? When that former believed in the coming Christ, the latter in
happens, you undoubtedly feel something akin the Christ who has come. If Cornelius had died
to dislike. before Peter came to him to proclaim Jesus, this
centurion would still not have gone lost. Faith in
But do I not have to abide by those rules? a coming Messiah was sufficient.
Certainly, but they cannot remove your guilt
before God. Even if you honor your parents, How must I apply this to our time?
give your money to the poor, are always It is good to enquire about this. Now you no
obedient to your superiors at school or at work: longer will be justified by believing in a Messiah
nonetheless, this will not justify you. Then what who is yet to come. You must believe that He has
does? It comes down to this: you must hear the come and has accomplished everything. You
voice of the bridegroom, the Word of faith. When will notice that there is of necessity an element
you hear that Word, it justifies you. of assurance in this. Therefore, Cornelius also
There you have that great difference again. The had to be brought to this new faith. The one faith
law gives nothing, but it only demands. The made room, as it were, for the other. “From faith
gospel makes no demands, but it gives. to faith”, see Romans 1:17.

Just wait a moment. In Acts, it clearly states that Once again Luther attacks the so-called
Cornelius gave alms, and he lived piously and sophists who thought that Cornelius earned
justly. What about that then? righteousness by his good works. But the
You must not forget that Cornelius still lived reformer wants nothing to do with that notion,
under the so-called old covenant. Like Abraham, and again proves that only faith can justify
Isaac, and Jacob he believed in a Christ who us before God. As he often does, he also
was still to come. In the Old Testament that faith pays attention to the Pope and the Roman
was just as necessary for union with Christ, as Catholic church of his days. The original text
faith in the Christ who has already come is in the is on pages 154 and 155.
New Testament. There is no essential difference
between the believers of the Old Testament
and those of the New Testament. They all have

71
That my sins are forgiven is something great. Once I am that far, will the suffering be over?
But it surely does not just happen effortlessly, Not at all. As a believer, you will have to
does it? continually strive against the inclination to still
Accordingly, do you then think that you must contribute something, if ever so slight, towards
also accomplish something great? Then you are your salvation. That notion is rooted so deeply,
entirely wrong. You receive forgiveness of sins, that you never get rid of it entirely. Believing in
deliverance from death, righteousness, the Holy faith and performing the works of the law will
Spirit, and everlasting life by hearing in faith. always stand radically opposed to each other
Nothing else is required towards this. You have in your life. Time and again you think: “Surely
read this correctly: nothing more! Perhaps you it cannot go this easily?” And at the same time:
think that hereby you belittle the forgiveness of just try it once; to listen believingly to the gospel.
sins, but that is not so. You despise this great You will experience that this is not so simple
gift because you are not required to do anything after all.
toward it.
What must I do?
To be honest, I must indeed admit that I would Just be persistent with the great Giver of this
rather work hard for it. immense gift. He does not reproach you, not
Just like Martha in Luke 10 from verse 41 on. even if you have weak faith, or are in doubt time
What does Christ say to her? Martha, Martha, and again, and just cannot accept the gift. Just
thou art careful and troubled about many things: ignore your conscience when it tries to tell you
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that this must be and that must happen. Just
that good part, which shall not be taken away persist and wait until you conquer this urge to
from her.” You do not become a Christian by “must”. If your faith grows this way, then this
doing, but by hearing. Therefore, listen to the inclination to “must” will lose its power. But be
gospel. Have you really heard it? Then thank careful: this letting-go is not an easy process.
God with joy and do good works. Yes, you
have read that correctly: works. But then such 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the
works which arise from faith. Only then can you Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
perform works that can exist before God. Only
in that way can you live in the Light: Christ. Why does Paul so clearly contrast the Spirit to

72
the flesh here? of their lives. When everything was still in perfect
The Galatians had made a beautiful beginning order, they gladly endured all these things. But
and were developing well. A little later in this now that the pure doctrine has left, the Spirit is
chapter, Paul says about them: “You ran well.” also gone, and the fruits are gone with it.
But now these same people want to bring this Is it not lamentable that people are so easily
to perfection by keeping the law. It is as you drawn away from this great glory through
said: Spirit against flesh. And you undoubtedly the works of the law? And as a result, all that
know what Paul means by flesh in this context. suffering becomes totally pointless.
It is our self-righteousness; our human wisdom,
trying to be justified by keeping the law. That sounds rather hopeless.
But it is not hopeless. Just read the last portion
Can the work of the Spirit then be frustrated by of the text. Paul certainly addressed the readers
performing the good works of the law? of this epistle severely, but he softened his
Paul says this in order to draw the Galatians words a little as well. He seems to say: there is
away from their inclination to relapse into their still hope. As long as the Galatians will still come
old (pre-conversion) pattern. Then such a good to their senses.
beginning would be entirely wiped away by such
a terrible ending. That must not happen, Paul 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the
states. That is very dangerous! Spirit, and worketh miracles among you,
doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the
A clear warning, I would say. hearing of faith?
Certainly. But there is still a second danger.
What powers6 are we actually talking about
3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? here?
if it be yet in vain. These are the fruits of faith. So, not only have
you become a believer, but you have also begun
What had the Galatians suffered?
They had lost money and material possessions 6 Instead of “miracles” many English translators agree
more with the Dutch word for “powers”, using words such
for the sake of the gospel. They received abuse as “mighty acts” or “works powerfully and miraculously in
and shame and were sometimes even in danger you”. This would make it easier to appreciate that Paul was
there to work, not to impress or entertain.

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to live piously. You have the faith which the Holy no longer prepared to suffer anything for him.
Spirit works. If this faith remains without the fruits
of the Holy Spirit, it is not genuine. If this Spirit That seems like a fair question to me.
works in you, others will also begin to notice this. But that same question also comes to you.
Whereas you were previously miserly, irritable, Especially if you have ever been affected by a
unchaste, impatient, and confrontational; you sermon. Then you strove to improve your life
are now generous, patient, decent, and full of directly afterward. Was that then the fruit of the
neighborly affection. That is what Paul noticed law or of faith? Perhaps you will now understand
when he had been preaching the gospel in what Paul is continually hammering away at!
Galatia. First, the people believed in Christ, and Faith alone must be the source of all that is
then they began to live differently. They would good, and nothing which you do, even if people
even have plucked out their own eyes to make call that love. Love does not determine whether
Paul feel comfortable, see chapter 4. a work is good, but faith does.
But what if someone approaches you and says
Are these then clear characteristics of a spiritual that, as a Christian, you must really be doing this
life? or that? Claiming that love has to be present for
Are you prepared to risk all your money, faith to be genuine? Or, that you must choose for
possessions, even your own life for the salvation God yourself and therefore need to be baptized
of another person? That is certainly clear again? Have you not, like the Galatians, turned
evidence of spiritual life. Paul saw these virtues aside, and again embraced the works of the
in the Galatians before those false preachers law? Always be watchful, and try to unmask the
came. And he now poses the question: “Did work of the devil. Because he always tries to
you acquire these virtues by obeying the law or destroy whatever God has built up by His Spirit.
through the preaching of faith?” They realized it Luther makes an elaborate application to
very well in their conscience: it was not by works, his time and to the situation in the Roman
but from God through the gospel. And now Paul Catholic Church at this point. If you would
would also like to know from them why those like to know what he writes about the so-
virtues are no longer to be found. Why they are called sectarians, fanatics, and Anabaptists
against which Luther had to struggle; you will
find the original text on pages 167 and 168.
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3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it That is not stated in the Bible only with regard to
was accounted to him for righteousness. Abraham, but also for you.

Why does Paul bring Abraham into this? In what way does that apply to me?
Because this Biblical person is a good example So that you will begin to see that faith is the true
of how faith justifies. For the first time in this worship of God. Only by faith you are completely
epistle, Paul does not use his own experiences dedicated toward God, you can obey Him
but reaches back to the Old Testament. Genesis perfectly, and your life is a sacrifice to Him. Faith
15:6 states: “Abraham believed.” In the epistle is something so great, so powerful. There is no
to the Romans, the apostle had already used end to it. You give all honor to God by faith. You
this verse as his point of departure. “For if cannot give Him anything more valuable.
Abraham was justified by works, then he had
both righteousness and honor, but not before What am I giving then, if I honor God?
God”, see Romans 4:2 and continuing. God had Then you believe that God is real, that He is true
justified Abraham: not by works, but by faith. You to His Word. That He is wise, righteous, merciful,
can read a detailed and impressive explanation almighty. Short and sweet: giving all honor to
of this in Romans. God means to acknowledge Him as the Origin
and Giver of all that is good. Do not think you
What is the key point being made in that chapter? can accomplish this with your understanding.
Even though Abraham had every reason to Truly, that will not work for you. It is the work of
doubt the promises of God, his faith did not falter. faith and it renews the image of God in you.
He did not ponder the fact that he was already You will realize that the opposite is also true.
almost 100 years old. He also did not consider Without faith, God is deprived of His honor, of
his equally aged wife. There was no wavering His divine majesty over you.
or suspicion in Abraham, but faith. He gave the
honor to God, and he knew with certainty that So, God asks nothing more of me than that I
God would do what He had promised. That is honor Him?
what he was given credit for as righteousness You are right. He says to you: “Acknowledge

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and honor Me.” View God as truly being the God What do you think of the resurrection of the dead
who takes notice of you, listens to you, takes pity on the day of judgment? That Christ, as Son of
on you, helps you … If you show Him this honor, God, has been in the womb of a virgin? That He
He is truly God in your life. Then He is everything had to die on the cross, rose again, ascended to
that your believing heart requires. That is at heaven, and is there now at the right hand of His
the heart of all wisdom, of all righteousness, of Father? What do you say about that?
worship, and of every sacrifice. Do you now see
how great faith is? But also, how ungodly it is to Well, if you look at it that way …
remain an unbeliever? That is why Paul calls the gospel of the crucified
Christ foolish preaching. A stumbling block to
As a believer, must I then say: God, I believe the Jews, foolishness to the pagans. When
what Thou sayest? you evaluate the elements of faith with your
That is true. But count on it: this is not so simple. understanding, you will find every last one of
Because what does God say? Are these not them to be foolish. Then you will try to serve God
all unfeasible things? These are even foolish, in your own way, without hearing and believing
absurd, despicable, and laughable for your the Word.
understanding. Yes, they even appear to be lies.
How can God possibly say to Abraham that he How must I disengage my mind then?
will have a son when he is almost 100 years You do not have to do that yourself. Faith
old? butchers your understanding, as an animal that
cannot be killed by any other means. The same
That is indeed somewhat strange. happened with Abraham. Did you think that he
That is how God always does it. Just try to could understand that he would become a large
follow my reasoning. When you view it on a nation by a woman who was not only old but
purely rational level, is it not rather strange that evidently infertile as well? A struggle occurred
during the Lord’s Supper the body and blood of inside Abraham between his understanding and
Christ are passed around? It is surely strange his faith. A struggle in which faith won out!
that baptism is called the bath of regeneration? Just say to your understanding: “You are foolish,

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you comprehend nothing whatever about God. He does not lay these imperfections to your
Do not contradict me, and stay silent. Listen to charge. Why not? Because of faith in Christ.
the Word of God and believe!” If God would not do that, you would never be
saved. You can draw this conclusion from the
Why does Paul add that faith was “counted” to words of Paul: Righteousness does begin with
Abraham as righteousness? faith but is made perfect through the imputation
You need to realize that Christian righteousness by God.
consists of two parts. The first part is faith from
the heart. The other is imputation by God. Faith I notice that my mind is beginning to protest
is definitely necessary in order to be righteous again.
before God, but that is not all there is to it. This Yes, it gets annoyed immediately. If you do
is due to the fact that, after receiving faith, there not watch out, it will even become insane and
will always be remnants of sin in you. You could produce all kinds of enmity toward God in you.
say that faith begins during this life and only “Are my good works then worth nothing at all?”
concludes at death. That is why imputation from That is what your mind naturally asks. “Have I
God is necessary, in order to make it perfect and then worked in vain and borne the heat of the
complete already during this life. To be righteous day?”
before God now already. But God says: “Because you believe in my Son,
your sins – which you surely have – are forgiven.
Because my life as a Christian is far from Until I deliver you from them entirely through
perfect? death.” Do you see that, as a Christian, you are
That is a fact. You only receive the “first fruits at the same time a sinner? At the same time
of the Spirit”; not much more. Meanwhile, your holy and unholy. At the same time an enemy of
understanding also remains active. Desires, God and a child of God.
anger, impatience, and other evil fruits of the
flesh continue to harass you, as well as unbelief. How can that possibly co-exist: be holy and
commit sin?
How does God respond to that? Take comfort. It is impossible for you to become

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perfect during this life. You keep your faults and Certainly not, even if the philosophers think there
shortcomings, and - in that sense - you are not is. Our righteousness comes from without, from
a saintly person. It is good that you feel your the grace of God, and from the imputation of it
sins. You may even thank God for that. What by God. There is nothing righteous about you,
is the first step towards health? It is knowing except that faith which can be ever so weak. But
and acknowledging that you are sick. How can there will be real sins remaining. Perhaps you
you be delivered from your sins? Run to Jesus, find this easy enough to understand intellectually,
the Physician, who heals dejected hearts and but try to come to grips with the real essence of
rescues sinners. Believe in Him and you are it. This is a very serious matter. Christ did not
justified. The reason is that hereby you give just do you a small favor. He was surrendered
God the honor which is due to Him. Are there for you, even became a curse for you. To believe
sins remaining? He does not hold these against that is no small thing. You cannot just nod your
you, but God grants you forgiveness for Christ’s agreement to such a statement. That is why God
sake, in whom you believe. His righteousness imputes the fulness of this righteousness to you,
becomes yours, your sins become His. Yes, in even if your faith is not perfect. It is because the
this way you are a true priest. work of Christ is, nonetheless, still perfect.

A priest? How then? My mind cannot grasp all this.

Just compare the renouncing of your That is precisely the objective. You are now in a
understanding with the evening sacrifice. And totally different world, where the understanding
compare giving God the honor to the morning no longer has any force. Here you find no
sacrifice. In this way, you are daily occupied questions about what you must and must not
by doing priestly work. What a dual sacrificial do in order to receive grace. This is the divine
service, which you can never appreciate or theology: the gospel, which tells you that Christ
value sufficiently! died for you and that in this faith you are justified.
Yes, in spite of all sins and imperfections which
Is there then no perfect righteousness to be you still encounter every day.
found in a Christian himself?

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Can God the Father just ignore sins? His patience lasts as long as you live. As a
Not a chance, because then God would have to Christian, you are carried in the lap of His mercy
deny His deity. And of course, that cannot be. and patience. Until when? Until your body
He has to hate the sins and the sinner. So, you dies and is finally raised again on the day of
do right to ask: “I have sinned, and therefore judgment. Only then will righteousness reign on
deserve wrath, even the divine hatred. And yet the new earth. But for now, sin remains on this
the Father loves me?” Yes, the Father loves earth, also among Christians. That is why Paul
you, nonetheless. How can that be? Through complains in Romans 7 about sin which can still
the Mediator Christ, who says: “The Father be found, even in the saints. But in Romans 8
loves you, not because you are worthy of that he does add something to this. That there is
love, but because you love Me and believe that nothing condemnable in those who are in Christ
I have proceeded from the Father.” Jesus.

Why do sins remain so active in me, as a It still sounds contradictory.

Christian? You have to ask yourself the question: who
To keep you humble. If you continually feel your brings all these contradictions together? That
sins, you know that you actually deserve the in a Christian, sin is no sin? That a damnable
wrath of God. How else would you manage to person is not damned? That a castaway does
stay humble? But do not forget that a Christian not go lost? That he who has earned divine
also has a sort of holy boldness. Because, you wrath receives no punishment? It is the Mediator
have to repeatedly go to Christ again. Contrary between God and man. It is Jesus Christ!
to all sins, self-condemnation, and feelings
of God’s wrath, you come to Him and take 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of
courage. Through Christ, you believe that God faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
is your Father, regardless. Not because of you,
but because of the beloved Christ. In what sense am I, as a believer, a child of
Abraham?
What patience God has with us, humans! You must first understand why Paul considered

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this point to be so important. The Jews were
especially proud of the fact that they were In Luther’s day, there were people who
children of Abraham. And as you know: this thought that the word “faith” in this text, only
patriarch was circumcised and he kept the laws. means “truth”, and that Paul would therefore
Therefore, the Jews said: we will live the same have meant it differently. Especially the
way. But here Paul says that believers who sophists were of the opinion that this had
do not abide by these laws are still children of nothing to do with faith in Christ.
Abraham by faith.
On pages 179 and 180 you find what Luther
gives them as counterarguments.
That statement must have annoyed the Jews.
You can count on that. Imagine them being
told: “Are you so pleased to be descended from 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God
Abraham? Fine, but then, so what of it? Just would justify the heathen through faith …
look at how Abraham was justified. Not through
his good works. Neither because he left his What did the Bible foresee?
native land, nor because he was circumcised, Long before the law was given, God promised
nor even because he was willing to sacrifice that the pagans would come to God by faith. In
his only son Isaac. But why then? Because he Genesis 15 the Lord already promised Abraham
believed in God.” an offspring, through which all peoples would be
You see: if anyone ever deserved to be justified blessed. A promise which was given 430 years
by works, it would have been Abraham. But before the giving of the law at Sinai! How could
even he could only obtain the forgiveness of you ever say then that the works of the law could
sins and the Holy Spirit through faith. Why then justify you?
do you still argue so much about the law and
circumcision? Fortunately, such foolish thoughts do not trouble
me.
Do not say that too hastily. What do you think
about infant baptism? This promise belongs to

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holy baptism: “He that believeth and is baptized even read the name of Christ here instead, his
shall be saved”, Mark 16:16. If you only believe great Descendant. He, who would come, and in
in baptism when someone has come to the age whom Abraham has believed.
of discernment, and can actively demonstrate
that he is a believer, you are actually doing the Was Abraham’s faith the same as that of a
same: then you go to work after the promise present-day believer?
has already been given. You do the same if Not only the faith but also the Christ of Abraham
you say that baptism is only a sign by which to is still the same. Christ has died for the sins of
distinguish you from worldly people, while it is Abraham in the same way as He did for all the
indeed a seal of God’s covenant instead. Christians whom you know. “Abraham saw my
day and he rejoiced”, see John 8. Do you notice
3:8 … preached before the gospel unto that everything is the same? And that is why you
Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be may never allow anyone to weaken that word
blessed. “blessing”, as it is found in this text.
God did not speak to Abraham about things that
How must I understand the last phrase of this needed to be done, but about those which had
verse? to be believed. He received promises, which he
Not as the Jews do. They draw all the strength believed. And what does God do? He counts
out of it, by asserting that this “being blessed” this faith as being righteousness. Yes, Abraham
refers to earthly blessings. They even flaunt this receives even more promises with it. “I am your
claim, because they are the people of Abraham. Protector.” “You will be a father of many nations.”
Abraham: this was the believing, the righteous “So numerous shall your seed be.” And beware:
Abraham. The man with the promises, who you may not play tricks with Bible texts.
was not born of Adam, but of the Holy Ghost.
This text is about this same Abraham: a born- 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed
again man, who would be the patriarch of many with faithful Abraham.
nations. “In you, all peoples shall be blessed.”
So, this “you” is the spiritual Abraham. You may It seems as though there were two Abrahams.

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One a believer, and one an unbeliever. be done through faith. Only then do you have
The Bible also makes that distinction. The one glory. Not in the world, but in God.
Abraham does the works, the other believes.
Let the Jews have that first Abraham if they And what if I am not blessed in believing
please, with all his works, circumcision, and law. Abraham?
If things are well, that other Abraham belongs Then you have to draw the opposite conclusion.
to you and to all believers. He received the That actually happens very often in the Bible.
blessing by faith. Yes, even the whole world was What is the opposite of the blessing? Indeed:
promised to him by faith. And you also receive the curse. Paul makes this contrast abundantly
the blessing through the same faith. clear in the following verse.

What is meant by this blessing of Abraham? 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the
It is the promise of the gospel. When you read that law are under the curse: for it is written,
all the nations will be blessed, this simply means Cursed is every one that continueth not in
that the gospel will be brought everywhere. all things which are written in the book of the
“Their voice has gone out throughout all nations”, law to do them.
see Psalm 19:4. Everything which relates to
the enlargement of God’s Kingdom is covered What does Paul mean with the curse?
by this text: “In you … shall be blessed”, see You can view the curse as an enormous flood
Genesis 12:3. Individual persons will be blessed. that sweeps everything along which is outside
What do they receive then? Righteousness, so of faith. Actually, do you notice something which
that they are just before God. And that can only stands out here? Paul indicates that if you
happen through the gospel. perform the works of the law, you are under the
Here, blessing really means: preaching the curse. “Cursed is everyone …” He quotes the
gospel. You are not a minister? It is also words of Moses. But the same Moses has also
confessing Christ and passing your knowledge said: If you do not perform the works of the law,
of Him along to others. It is your office as a you are accursed.
Christian to do this. Do not forget: this can only That is strange. Are Moses and Paul totally

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contrary to each other? the righteousness by works.
You would almost think so, right? But that is
not the case. Moreover, Paul even uses the How can I fulfill the law?
argument of Moses to prove his own position. Only in a spiritual sense. So, it is not a matter of
But you have to understand how the doctrine living perfectly among other people and doing
of justification works, otherwise you will not exactly what it says in the law. No, it has to go
understand any of it. Then it would be about as deeper than that. You have to understand the
absurd as this sentence: “If you fulfill the law, entire law spiritually and fulfill it in the way God
you do not fulfill it. If you do not fulfill the law, wants. Only then is it acceptable. If that is the
then you fulfill it.” case with you, then you may step forward. Then
you will be loaded down with compliments. But
Explain to me how I must picture the fulfillment you cannot step forward, can you? Because
of the law. fulfilling the law in the way God wants is
The above text revolves around the word “do”. impossible for you.
The doing of the deeds of the law. There are two
ways by which to fulfill this law: Yet the Lord Jesus says that I must be a “doer”
You might try to keep the law in your own way of the Word.
and by your own power. If you do that, you have So true; but do you realize what He means by
Paul and the Bible against you. a doer? If you want to satisfy God through the
Or, you keep the law by faith. And that is what works of the law, you are definitely not a doer.
this discussion is about. Do you know why not? Because you are then
You see: these two ways stand opposed to neglecting faith. And this faith is in fact the heart
each other, like the devil and God, or death of the first three commandments. Honoring God
and life. If you want to fulfill the law merely as a through faith and through fear. As was admitted
requirement, then you want to be justified by the previously, this seems contradictory, but it is
law. But if you fulfill the law by faith, then you are really true: by clinging to the law by your own
trusting that this is only possible through God’s exertions, and by striving to fulfill its demands,
mercy. And thereby you judge, yes you curse you are acting contrary to the law.

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Is that so bad? Spirit will be granted to you at the same time, for
That is deplorable! In doing so, you deny the Christ’s sake.
righteousness, mercy, and promises of God. You Only then can you love God and your neighbor.
also deny Christ and all His benefits. Meanwhile, Only then can you bear your cross. Only then
the law profits you nothing at all, because you can you begin to fulfill the requirements of the
are not obeying it the way you should. That law. Faith accompanies you: it is as it were a
is what Paul means in Romans 10:3: “They tree. And there has to be a tree first before there
do not know the righteousness of God, and can be fruit. Similarly, you need to have faith
attempt to establish their own righteousness. first, before you can do anything that is good
However, they do not subject themselves to the with this law.
righteousness of God.”
If you let this sink in, it becomes logical that they How must I understand the words of Moses in
remain under the curse, as Paul wrote. After all, this context?
living that way is nothing less than idolatry. In exactly the same way. Again: Paul and Moses
are not opposed to each other; not at all. They
Does the “doing” in the Bible refer to believing, mean to say exactly the same thing. You are
in the first place? cursed if you do not perform the works of the
You have understood that correctly. That is why law. In other words, you are cursed if you do not
you can only fulfill the law’s demands by faith. have faith. Because you can only perform the
You need the Holy Spirit for that. How else could works of the law by faith, as you have just read.
you ever love God and your neighbor?

How do I acquire this faith?

Flee to God and to His promises. “In thee, all
peoples shall be blessed.” Hear the word of
this blessing: the gospel. If you may believe
that, Christ will draw near to you. And by faith,
you may take hold of Him, upon which the Holy

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 faint sound left in your heart, and nothing more?
As Luther further pursues this text, he first
If you then begin to talk about faith, it is nothing
attacks the position of the Pope in the Roman
but idle chatter. True faith changes and renews
Catholic Church. Then he fills many pages
your heart. It makes you into a new person. That
with arguments against his adversaries,
who strove to undermine his doctrine. The pretentious faith is very dangerous. It would be
reformer counters all these attacks with the better to have no faith at all than to have such
doctrine you have just read of. Because a fake faith. This true faith does not require
this portion is mainly about the thinking of anything additional from us.
Luther’s adversaries, this section is being
skipped here. You find the original text on 3:12 And the law is not of faith …
pages 199 to 206.
I often hear that love is a prerequisite for faith.
Paul says something very different here. If you
3:11 But that no man is justified by the law
read your Bible carefully, love is a component
in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just
of the law. “You must love the Lord your God
shall live by faith.
with all your heart”, see Deuteronomy 6:5. To
love God above everything, and your neighbor
Paul does make an obvious deduction here.
as yourself: are these commandments not
Mind you, he did not think this up himself, but
the Biblical summary of the law? “On these
here he confronts the Jews with a text from the
two commandments hang all the law and
Old Testament. A text which they cannot just
the prophets”, Jesus says in Matthew 22:40.
explain away: Habakkuk 2:4: “for the just shall
This means that love is presented as being a
live by faith.” And as you know: all that is of faith
component of the law. If Paul then sets aside
is not of the law.
the law here, he is doing the same to love. That
Be aware that we are talking only about true
leaves only faith by which to be justified, and by
faith here. When you hear about God and about
which to receive new life.
the fact that Christ became man, then how do
you respond? Do you only nod to indicate your
agreement? Is that your faith? Is there only a

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3:12 … but, The man that doeth them shall keep them apart in your thinking. Just like you
live in them. must not confuse the divinity and the humanity
of Christ either, but must always view them
What? How can Paul now say that I will live if I separately. The humanity is not the Godhead,
keep the law? and the Godhead is not the humanity. In much
This text is intended to be ironic, mocking even. the same way faith is not a work, and work is not
Something like: do you want to live by the law? faith. They each have their own existence and
Okay, then just do your utmost. Go ahead and their specific task.
live! It is as Jesus said in Luke 10:28: “Do that
and you will live.” Is there a different way to read this text?
With these words, Paul sets the righteousness There certainly is. If in civil life, you abide by
of the law and the righteousness of faith in sharp the laws, you will experience blessings. Then
contrast to each other. On the one side is the law your affairs prosper, and you “live” happily. So
which says: “If you follow the law, you will live.” that – in a civil sense – this text is entirely valid.
And on the other side is faith: “The just shall live After all, the law was also given in order to keep
by faith.” Working at the law is sheer drudgery, unbelievers under some degree of control.
whereas working at faith is simply agreeing with Otherwise, it would just be a mess in the world.
what was promised.
What about the spiritual realm?
When are my works truly good? Just try to find someone who abides by the entire
When they proceed from faith. Therefore, faith law. Do you know such a person? Of course not.
needs to be there first. Only then does the law No one has ever managed to abide by the entire
acquire a new function, and we will do good law: not you either. To do so, you need Christ,
deeds. You see thereby that, once faith has who has indeed kept the law perfectly and has
been worked, it does not remain inactive. In fulfilled it. By faith in Him, you receive the Holy
that sense, faith is actualized in the works which Spirit, and you can finally begin to fulfill the
you perform. But even when faith and works demands of the law by faith. Until you will one
are active in the same person, you must still day be with the Lord, and no longer need faith.

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Then you will love God truly and perfectly. But slanders and persecutions of Paul. And the
until that time comes, it is of urgent importance denial of Peter. And the adultery of David. And
that you persevere in faith. This is because the the killing by the murderer on the cross. He has
forgiveness of sins and the imputation of Christ’s borne all the sins and has paid for them with His
righteousness by God are found there. blood.

3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse But He did not commit these sins Himself!
of the law, being made a curse for us: for it That made no difference to the law. It summoned
is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth Jesus under the law, so to speak, and counted
on a tree: Him as the equal of all sinners. But not only that;
Christ’s Father demanded that His Son should
For us? become a sinner. And Christ also wanted this
That is exactly where the emphasis is placed. Himself. He became human in order to be
For whom else would Christ have hung on submerged into the sins of people. In order to
the cross? Not for Himself, because He was be condemned and killed by the law.
innocent. No, it was for great sinners. Jesus
represented thieves and murderers who had Is Christ more than just a good example?
merited everlasting death. What does Christ He is much more than that. If He was only an
do? He took all those sins upon Himself and example, then all Christian comfort would be
died on the cross. Or, as Isaiah 53:12 states: gone. Then he would be angry with you, as a
“He was counted with the evildoers.” sinner. But you must not separate Jesus and the
sinner: These belong together. He has become
So, Christ was actually like a great sinner? one with you; yes, He even became a curse.
Yes, the greatest there ever would be. The
greatest thief, the greatest adulterer, the greatest It sounds rather strange, to hear that being said
liar. No, now we are not talking about Himself, of Jesus.
but about the sins which he bore in his body. Maybe it sounds strange to your ears, but Paul
Just look, there He is, carrying the gruesome says it anyway. He calls Christ a curse and a

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sinner. Not only here, but also at other places in does not want to see them, because the Sun,
the Bible. “God has made Christ, who knew no Christ, outshines them all.
sin, to be made sin for us so that we would be
made the righteousness of God in Him”, see 2 How could Christ bear all these sins, and also
Corinthians 5:21. pay for them?
Do you see that your sins must become Christ’s You need to realize that in Him, there were two
sins? If that does not happen in your life, you are mighty forces striving against each other. On the
forever lost! Therefore, you may, so to speak, one hand, there were the sins of the past, the
load Jesus up fully with your sins. See Him, by present, and the future – and that of innumerable
faith, as the bearer of your guilt. Only then does people. What a force, what a power. These fell
Christ become precious. If you think that you upon Him, judged Him, and crushed Him. But
can still contribute a little bit, you are removing there was also another force: the eternal and
Christ from the picture, and all your comfort will invincible righteousness. His perfect obedience.
be gone. Believe it: God has not laid your sins And between these, something had to bend or
on you but on His Son. break. One of the two had to give way.

How did God do that? How did that end?

When He saw that mankind had fallen, He Be aware that sin is the cruelest tyrant in the
sent His Son to the world and said: “You have world. Millions lie under its power and dominion.
to be Peter, that liar. You must be Paul, that Never underestimate sin! All that violence was
persecutor, and slanderer. You need to be poured onto Christ. But eternal and invincible
David, that adulterer. In short: you must provide righteousness is by its nature unconquerable. It
for deliverance and satisfaction.” exists forever, therefore of necessity, sin had to
The law sees this Sinner coming, it assails leave and to suffer defeat.
Him and kills Him. Only in this way can you be Just look to this Christ once. Do you see that our
totally delivered and freed from sin and guilt. sins, death, the wrath of God, hell, the devil, and
Because: paid once is paid forever. Yes, even all evil are conquered and dead? If this Christ
the remnants of sin which are left in you. God reigns in your heart, there is not a trace of evil

88
to be found there anymore. But … if you do not twelve articles of faith? “I believe a holy (…)
have Christ, then all these terrible things are still church.” That statement amounts to saying: “I
in your heart. Then you know nothing of what believe that there is no sin and no death to be
John says: “Our faith is the victory”, see 1 John found in the church. By faith, I am no longer a
5:4. sinner, no longer guilty to the point of death. No,
I am holy and righteous. Christ has lifted me up
Is that why Jesus also had to be God? above all sins and death.” Do you want to be
Entirely true. Everyone who claims that Christ able to say that? Then you need faith. Because
is not God will sooner or later have to let go of it says: “I believe one holy (…) church.”
the entire doctrine of deliverance. So that is a
mortal danger. Would you be able to conquer Well, I see something quite different on Sundays.
the might of sins by anything less than divine If you knew what the church people are often up
power? Certainly not! Do you see how foolish to …
it is to think that you can become righteous by Yet, you are wrong then. Then you are looking
performing works? It can only be done by faith. at your neighbor with eyes of unbelief. Yes,
outside of faith every person is a sinner who
How do I obtain this victory? makes mistakes every day. But now view your
By believing that Christ has truly conquered over neighbor in Christ! In Him, the Redeemer, the
sins. Do you believe that your sins, the curse, church is indeed holy, because He sanctifies it.
and death are carried away by Christ? Then
they are gone. He carried them away, and He So, wherever there is faith, there is also an
wants you to believe that. Now there is no trace absence of sin?
of sins to be found in Him anymore. Accordingly, Even if, as a believer, you still feel them every
by faith, there is likewise no trace of evil to be day; and even if you see more and more sin:
found in you anymore either. Yet, through faith these are in reality not there at
all. Paul teaches you this: our sins are in Christ,
Really, none? who bears the sins of the world, as the Lamb of
What do you confess every Sunday, in the God. He became a curse, in order to deliver you

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from the curse. Slowly pronounce the word “sin”. Sin. Taste it
Yes, your understanding tells you something and try to plumb its depths. If you really know
different. It sees that you commit sins, and it and confess your sins, you not only feel that you
concludes that these are also in you. Just as are a sinner because of this or that deed, but you
the paint is united to the wall, likewise sins feel the overpowering strength of sin in your life.
are where they are committed. However, true Then you not only feel yourself to be wretched,
theology teaches you that the Father has laid but even in your tiniest blood vessels, you feel
all sins upon Christ, see Isaiah 53:6. In short, how vile you are. Not only are you under sin and
where faith in Christ is present, there our sins the curse – you, yourself, are sin and curse.
are truly gone. But where faith does not exist,
sin remains. Do you see that you must grasp That is so terrible!
hold of Christ by faith? You cannot imagine how injurious that is.
Because if your very essence is sin, you bear
How is that done: taking hold of Christ? the frightful wrath of God, the curse, and death.
It is a spiritual sight. Do not imagine it to be a Believe it: if you truly feel this, you will confess
ghostly situation or so. Again: it is a spiritual that you are a curse. Yes, that you are dead.
seeing, much like the people in the wilderness Without the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for you
saw the brazen serpent. Similarly, you must cast to ever see this. You need Him, just like Paul, to
your spiritual eyes on Christ, hanging on the summarize the entire law into one word: curse.
cross. For your sins. And then to pick up this one word and cast it
upon Christ at once. But also to gather all the
Sins … not a day goes by or I hear something promises that are in the Bible together and
about that. realize that these are fulfilled in Christ.
And rightly so. Once again: do not minimize sin.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “God hath
made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin.”
This means that Christ not only bore our sins
but even became sin. A sacrifice for sin.

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 At the end of this text, Luther returns to But Thou art my righteousness, blessing, life,
discussing Genesis 22: “In thy seed all the grace of God, and my heaven.”
nations of the earth shall be blessed.” He Are you, as a believer, being attacked by sins,
explains that “all peoples” indicates that it is death, and Satan? Lay this all upon Him, so that
impossible to be justified by the law because His life and blessing may come upon you.
other nations did not have the law at all.
Finally, Luther points to “your seed” by which 3:14 … that we might receive the promise of
Christ is meant. It is a repeat of a previous
the Spirit through faith.
explanation, and after this Luther will come
back to it again. You can find the original text
Now, that is at least a very clearly stated text!
on page 224.
Do you see it as well? You do not receive the
Holy Spirit because you have tried so hard, but
3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might only by faith. It is not only a clear text but also a
come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ wonderful text. The law is great and it is exalted.
… Just think of the first commandment: “I am the
Is Paul still referring to that text from Genesis Lord thy God. (…) Thou shalt have no other
here, about the blessing to Abraham? gods before Me.” And: “Thou shalt love the Lord
Agreed. This blessing could only be given to thy God with all thine heart.” What a command,
Abraham, and be passed onto the nations which even applies to the angels. It is the source
through Christ. How? Only by making Christ a of all spiritual wisdom.
curse and bringing Him to those people who lie Nevertheless, a different teacher has to come
under the curse. in place of the law. It is Christ! He teaches you
so much that is greater and better: grace and
How do I get away from under that curse? forgiveness of your sins. Again, it is a wonderful
There is only one way. Believe and say with text. With these few words, Paul has stated
assured confidence: “Christ, Thou art my sin all there is to be said, once for all. He cannot
and my curse. No, even more: I am Thy sin, Thy exceed this statement. That is why he rounds
curse, Thy death, Thy wrath of God, Thy hell. off, as it were, his present discourse with the

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following statement. as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed,
which is Christ.
3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of
men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet What does Paul mean by these “promises”?
if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or He again gives the example of a testament. One
addeth thereto. given by God, rather than by man. But the most
significant claim which Paul makes here is that
To what extent may we use human examples to this testament does not apply in general to all
explain divine things? the children of Abraham, but very specifically
That is allowed if you do it right. Then you must to only one Person: Jesus Christ. Of course,
use good examples, preferably from nature. the Jews did not agree with this, because they
No one will object if you compare Christ to the called themselves “Abraham’s seed”.
sun. Or the church with the moon, or preachers
with the stars. But you must never use negative 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that
things from this life to explain something divine. was confirmed before of God in Christ, the
Paul also uses an ordinary example here: a last law, which was four hundred and thirty years
will, or testament. Because in the Greek original after, cannot disannul, that it should make
the word we read as “covenant” is actually the promise of none effect.
“testament”. Are you allowed to change a will?
No, of course not. You treat the last version of I get the impression that the covenant was not
the will of a dying person with great care. You enough, and that a law was still needed as well.
stick to the law. Then, by way of application, Otherwise, why would God even have had to
Paul asks: why do you not do this when it comes give the law?
to the testament of God, which He has promised Now you are talking just like the Jews. They also
to Abraham? thought that God was not content with giving
only the promises to Abraham. “Therefore after
3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the 430 years the law also came. God had too little
promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, confidence in the promises alone and has added

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something better to it: the law. And with that we Paul says to the Jews. “Then count on your
can go to work”, so say the Jews. fingers once how great a time period elapsed
But Paul makes short shrift of this and teaches between the promise and the law. We have lived
that the law can never annul the promises. no less than 430 years without any law! Do you
Quite the opposite! With the words “in thy seed” then think that your works are actually meant to
the promise is already established, even before bring you to heaven?”
there was any thought of circumcision. The A simple example might make this even clearer.
arrival of the law did not suddenly render this Imagine if you voluntarily give someone a nice
promise invalid. home as a present. But after twenty years you
suddenly require of that person that he has to do
What happens if the law does indeed make the something; you place a law upon him. Imagine
promises superfluous? that he is willing to do exactly as you wished:
Bluntly stated: then God is a liar. If you can justify then he still cannot say that he has received that
yourself before God by obeying the law, then home because he honored that law. Because
the promises which He has given are all just idle that law was not even there yet twenty years
talk. And that cannot be, of course. Because God ago. Would God then, as far as salvation is
never just speaks without purpose. Everything concerned, be satisfied with people who lived
He says is true. Actually, if God had wanted you perfectly according to the law?
could be saved through obedience to the law,
why would He first have given the promises?
Would it then not have been much more logical Here Luther takes another example from
to have given the law first? For that reason, the Roman Catholic tradition. After this, he
promise is greater than the law. uses several pages to once again explain
the importance of keeping law and gospel
Paul seems to mention those 430 years with entirely separate, as he did before. You find
considerable emphasis. this part on pages 233 and 234.
Do you notice the irony, the mockery which lies
in this statement? “You are so good at counting”.

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3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is seed, all peoples shall be blessed.”
no more of promise …
In his book, Luther calls this the summation
Apparently, the one nullifies the other? of the most important part of Paul’s epistle.
He follows this with examples of the law
It is indeed as Paul had already stated in Romans
as a schoolmaster (or a disciplinarian),
4:14: “If those who live by the law are heirs, then
of the underage heirs, the metaphorical
faith is abolished and the promise is worthless.”
comparison of Abraham’s sons Isaac and
After all, the law is simply not a promise. Surely
Ishmael, and finally some behavioral rules.
you understand that promises are different
Luther also indicates that Paul’s style has
from demands? And giving is different from now changed. Whereas in the first portion he
receiving. Even a horse could explain that to was primarily a teacher, now he continues
you if it could talk. Such an animal knows the as a public speaker or orator. See page 235.
difference between receiving a feeding of oats
and the moment its master mounts it for a ride. 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? …
Similarly, law and gospel are totally different.
The law demands: do this! The promise gives: If the law plays no role whatsoever in justification,
accept that! why would I still bother to abide by it?
That is a logical question that naturally arises
3:18 … but God gave it to Abraham by out of the doctrine about which you have already
promise. read so much. You have spent your entire life
What a wonder that is! meticulously sticking to the requirements of
That is for sure. God was way ahead of all the law, but it all does not help you in the least.
the working for it. Before Moses was born, or Pagans who know nothing about God might go
anybody even thought of a set of laws, God had into the Kingdom of God before you. It would
already given everything: forgiveness of sins, be enough to make you angry. Does this not
righteousness, salvation, everlasting life. And make you think of one of the parables? About
all that is readily available to you on the basis those workers in the vineyard who had toiled
of the promise from Genesis 22:18: “And in thy strenuously the entire day, and became angry

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because those who had labored only one short The man was not created to weave, and the
hour received as much in wages as they did? woman was not meant to wage war. That should
be simple enough. In this way, everyone has
I would almost conclude that the law has no their own place, and you must not mess with
function whatever anymore. that. No more than you may mess with the law
Then you are way off the mark. Your eyes also do and ascribe a different function to it. The law has
not cooperate in justification, but nonetheless, nothing to do with justification. Just leave that to
they still have their proper function. Your money the promises and to faith.
also does nothing towards it, but that does
not make it useless in every way. Likewise, it Then what does the law still do at all?
is foolish to say that the law has no function The function of the law concerns wrongdoing7.
anymore, simply because it cannot justify you “The law was added because of transgression.”
before God. Evidently, this law was not connected to the
You have to provide a different response to the promises; the promises have nothing to do with
question which Paul poses here than the one the law. You could view the function of the law
most people give. Use the answer of Paul in 1 as being twofold:
Timothy 1:8: “The law is good if used rightly.” The civil use: Without any laws, civil society
Use the law as law, not as a gospel. For that becomes a mess. Wherever there is a law, you
reason, Paul adds something more to this.

7 “Sin” is the broad category of misdeeds that includes all

3:19 … It (the law) was added because of others. “Iniquity” is a deliberate act against God, usually
transgressions … leading to a habitual pattern. “Transgression” is usually re-
ferred to as violating a code of acceptable behavior, not so
serious. However, the OT Hebrew word behind this, pesha,
is a strong term signifying deliberate rebellion against the
The law is there because of wrongdoing?
very being of God. At each occurrence, it meant: I am bai-
You must not mix up how various things are to ling out of our covenant agreement. It was unmistakably a
direct affront, even a direct attack upon the very being of
be used. Think of what it says in Deuteronomy God. It was not just violating a code of conduct. Very few
22:5: “A woman shall not wear men’s clothing people appreciate or even know of this distinction. We can-
not understand Galatians without it. Needless to say, we
and the man must not put on women’s clothing.” will try to avoid use of this latter term as much as possible,
and favor the other terms.

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can punish the violation of it, and thereby limit That stirs up anger inside you, does it not? Just
sinfulness. You certainly do not obey the law be honest, it makes you furious against God.
because you have such affection towards it. You lose your patience if you repeatedly hear
You only do it because you fear the punishment. that you are evil through and through. Oh, if only
In this way, the law acts as a chain for you. you could scrub God away, and out of your life.
Without laws, you would behave like a madman. But it does not work, there is nowhere to turn
Do you see how foolish it is to think that by to. Where you formerly still spoke well of God
use of the law a person can be justified before occasionally, that is now no longer the case.
God? On the contrary, the law actually proves The law evokes the deepest hatred against God
how unrighteous you are. Civil laws are also in you!
necessary to shield the gospel.
The spiritual use: In this case, the law actually What purpose does such humiliation serve?
acts to increase the wrongdoing. Think especially It serves to make you receptive to grace. The
of the Ten Commandments, which persuade you law is nothing but a doorkeeper for grace. Have
that you are a great sinner. It lets you clearly see you ever read anywhere that God is a God for
your sin, godlessness, contempt of God, hatred, perfectly decent people? No! God is there for
wretchedness, and death. And it shows you that miserable, discouraged, spiritually attacked,
you deserve God’s wrath. God directs this law and despondent souls. He raises up the lowly,
towards you as a great dragon, in order to crush gives nourishment to the hungry, gives sight to
your haughtiness. Or, as it says in Jeremiah the blind, and makes the dead to live. Did you
23:29: “My word is a hammer, which breaks think that God grants salvation to a person who
the rocks to pieces.” That rock is your exalted has an inflated self-esteem? Who refuses to see
self-opinion, and as long as that stands firm, no himself as sinful, miserable, condemned, and
sermon about grace will penetrate through to filthy? That is why God first uses the hammer
reach your heart. of His law.

It is not at all pleasant to hear that you are no In order to smash my “I”, or ego, to pieces, in
good. other words?

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That is the intention. That vermin must succumb salvation.
so that you begin to see yourself as a wretched, Until the Seed comes. These words refer to
condemned, and miserable person. Only if you Genesis 22:18: “In thy Seed shall all nations be
have been shocked in your conscience in such blessed.” The law is a temporary necessity, in
a way, will there be room for the comfort of order to make you look forward longingly to the
the gospel. Because God will not leave those coming of this Seed.
who are wretched there. Christ came to bring
the gospel especially to the poor, to heal the Must I view this literally? Was the law abolished
brokenhearted ones, and to give freedom to when Christ came?
prisoners. In a literal sense, the period of the law’s validity
has expired. Once Christ came, the entire law of
So the law does have a function in the salvation Moses fell into abeyance. We no longer sacrifice
of sinners after all: to bring a person to Christ. animals, right? None of that is necessary
If you look at it that way, you are indeed correct. anymore, because Christ has come.
The law itself cannot justify, but it can urge you
to go to Christ. Then the law serves as a useful Is there a spiritual explanation for this as well?
helper of Christ. Certainly. If Christ has revealed Himself to your
heart, then the law is no longer allowed to terrify
3:19 … till the seed should come to whom you. At a given moment it is all done with that
the promise was made … law which terrifies, beats down, and discourages
believers. “All your floods have passed over me,
For how long does the law serve this purpose? your terrors have overwhelmed me”, see Psalm
As you can see in the text: until the Seed 88:7.
comes. Meanwhile, the law drives you on until Then, however, the hour of the Seed has come,
Christ reveals Himself. This means that the law and the law has to give way. It has to surrender
is restricted within certain limits. Which is most its power to Christ. Words of grace pass over His
fortunate, because otherwise it would keep on lips, which do not accuse or terrify. He has a far
demanding, and no one would be able to obtain better message than the law does. A message

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of grace, the forgiveness of sins, victory over According to Luther, Paul makes a detour
death … in these two verses by focusing on the
difference between the two mediators,
I find it rather difficult to believe all this. Moses and Jesus. Luther uses these texts
If the law takes hold of you, then this is indeed as a point of departure regarding the law-
giving at Sinai: the Israelites are terrified and
troublesome. Because it causes you to believe
ask for a mediator. Everything Luther says
that God punishes sins and damns the sinner.
here amounts to this: the law does not justify.
Without faith, you will not be established.
Luther says that verse 20 demonstrates
Without faith, only despair and death can follow
that there are always two parties involved.
upon sin. That is why it is so important to have
God does not need a mediator, so it must be
someone with whom you can discuss things. about a Mediator between God and you as
Christ says: “Where two or three are gathered a person. Moses cannot help you with this;
in My name, there I am in the midst of them”, you need Jesus Christ.
see Matthew 18:20. It is so awful if you are Because this portion interrupts Paul’s
assaulted by the power of the law, and you are discourse, we have skipped it. You find the
alone, without anyone to support you. “Woe to original text on pages 248 to 256.”
him who is alone, because when he falls, he has
no one to raise him up”, see Ecclesiastes 4:10.
3:21 Is the law then against the promises of
3:19 … and it (the law) was ordained by God?
angels in the hand of a mediator.
3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of I have just read that the law only makes me
one, but God is one. worse. But, does that not hinder God in fulfilling
His promises? After all, He cannot just ignore
sins?
You could indeed think that God would be
more likely to fulfill His promises if you lived a
perfectly decent life according to the law. And

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that He would keep Himself far removed from of your sins and misery through the law; what
people who hate His law and who escape from does this do to you? If the law is applied in
it. Then it is logical to think: the law stands in the the correct way, you will indeed begin to long
way of the promises of God! more and more for deliverance, for grace. The
law convinces you of your godlessness, of your
3:21 … God forbid … enmity against God. You discover that you do
not love God and, what’s more, that you also
That is evidently not the case. hate and blaspheme this good God and His holy
On the contrary; God has not given His promises law.
because even one person was worthy of these. Do you see that the law actually casts extra
He gave His promises out of incomprehensible luster on the grace and mercy of the Mediator?
and eternal goodness and mercy. Just look at If you have never tasted the bitterness of sin,
Abraham. He received absolute promises from you are unlikely to appreciate the sweetness
God, even before there was any law. “I will be of grace. Do you know who the best cook is?
your protector.” And “In your seed (…) shall be Hunger. Just as drought makes the soil long for
blessed.” Abraham received these promises water, so the law makes you long for Christ to
unconditionally. God did not take into account be your joy, comfort, and life. Christ seeks such
certain works which Abraham had done or still thirsting hearts. He calls to you, invites you to
would do. come to Him: “Come to Me all ye who are weary
Hold onto this: the Lord does not come more and heavy-laden and I will refresh you”, see
readily with His promises if you conduct yourself Matthew 11:28. He does not waste His water on
well. Nor does He come later if you commit sin. souls who have no thirst for it. No, He comforts
His faithfulness is the only basis upon which and heals specifically that soul which has been
the offer and the fulfillment of His promises are made anxious and miserable by the law. The
founded. law against the promises? Not at all!

Can the law also cause me to long after grace? 3:21 … for if there had been a law given which
When you become more and more convinced could have given life, verily righteousness

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should have been by the law. does not attend church? Yes, it does apply to
them. But it applies to yourself as well if you
Even that good law of God cannot make a still think you can be saved through your own
person alive? righteousness. Here you read very plainly that
That possibility is excluded. Paul is very clear everything lies under sin. This includes your
about that. Whatever you may think of this law, worship if that is not being maintained by faith.
and however much you might esteem the Ten The God who says “all” here, really means
Commandments: the law can only slay people. everything.

3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all 3:22 … that the promise by faith of Jesus
under sin … Christ might be given to them that believe.

How must I understand this phrase? Is literally Are we emphasizing faith as the all-important
everything sin? thing?
Everything which is outside of faith in Christ is That proves to be the essence of Paul’s
sin. You read that everywhere in the Bible. On message. Remember that we are still discussing
the one hand, the Bible is filled with promises of the justification of a sinner before God. As far
life and of grace in Christ. On the other hand, it as good works are concerned, these only have
is equally true: wherever this promise is missing, any value if they are done in faith. Then they are
there is sin. worth more than heaven and earth combined.
Do you want a clear text which demonstrates But good works outside of faith are included
that you lie in sin? “Cursed be he that confirmeth under the curse, even if they appear to be ever
not all the words of this law to do them”, so admirable. All you do with these is pile one
Deuteronomy 27:26. sin upon another.

Does that not apply to those people who live 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept (as
without God? in protective custody) under the law …
Do you mean your neighbor boy or girl who

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In protective custody; that sounds like being kept believe, you can do nothing but hate Him.
as a prisoner. Do I understand that correctly?
Before you come to faith, you are indeed kept What is the spiritual meaning of the law as a
as a prisoner by means of the law. Just like a prison cell?
villain has to stay in his prison cell. What all can Just like in the example of the criminal in his
that thief or murderer do if he is not locked up. prison. The words “kept as in protective custody
Exactly: they commit evil. That guarding role is under the law” are very true. Your conscience
also a function of the law. It not only slays, but becomes so constricted by the law that you no
it preserves you from all kinds of sins. Are you longer see a way out. When the law begins to
pleased with this? What do you think? Does a speak, you see the enormous wrath of God.
criminal enjoy his cell? Of course not. If he could “Where must I flee from Thy Spirit?”, see Psalm
escape, he would do so, and he would again go 139:7. Your peace and quiet get taken away from
back to stealing or killing. you. But take courage, because this anguish
That also applies to the law. It compels you does not last forever. Because, as you will see
to live decently because otherwise you will be below, the text continues: “… and were confined
punished. You obey; not out of love, but out of until faith came …” As soon as faith is present,
dread. the law loses all its power. The law brings you to
the point of death, in order that you may come
Without laws our society would be an enormous to life through Christ. Do not despair, as Cain,
chaos, right? Saul, and Judas did. God does not want you to
You can count on that. What could the police remain in confusion. Just read what He says in
or your parents do to restrain you if they were Ezekiel 33:11: “I have no pleasure in the death
not able to punish you? But meanwhile, you of the wicked …”
would much prefer that there would be no law, Death and life, fear of God’s wrath and hope for
no punishment, no hell, and ultimately no God mercy; hell and heaven; these are all opposites
either. If there was no hell, you would perhaps which will have to meet once in the spiritual life.
still be able to love God. However, now that This sounds easy in theory, but in practice, there
you know that God punishes sin if you do not is nothing more difficult.

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3:23 … shut up unto the faith which should on in the Christian soul. At one time grace will
afterwards be revealed. prevail, at another time the law will dominate.

Did that happen when the Lord Jesus was born? What happens when the law dominates?
That is indeed the first meaning Paul gives us. The law grabs you by the collar, hurts you,
But you also have to apply this text to your inner makes you sorrowful, and says to you that you
life. To your spiritual life. As a believer, you can are a sinner. Yes, he even magnifies your sins.
undoubtedly recognize this: the law and grace Trust me: you will never get rid of the law during
seem to be present on an alternating basis. your life.
Time and again. It is a struggle between flesh You can probably identify with this: there are
and spirit. The flesh is your sin. Yes, sin takes times in your life when you argue with God,
you captive and tries to keep you away from and you withstand Him. You are averse to His
God. wrath, while He is averse to your impatience.
Those are the times of the law. It is as stated
But I do not commit any great sins! in Galatians 5:17: “The flesh lusts against the
No murder, theft, or adultery perhaps. But Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these
impatience, resentment, hatred, and anger stand opposed to each other.”
against God certainly dwell in your heart,
even if you cannot perceive this with your And what about when the time for grace has
understanding. Perhaps these sins dwell in you arrived?
against your will, but they still compel you, time Then courage returns. You begin to look to the
and again, to depart from God. These sins are promises of God’s grace again, which helps you
like a young lad, who dreams of a great career back to your feet. Then your heart says: “Why
and wants to do important things. In the same are you so sorrowful, my soul, and why do you
way, impatience lives in you, which always sadden me?”, see Psalm 42:5. Do you truly see
wants to move ahead. You can find examples nothing but law, sin, terror, sorrow, despair, hell,
of this in the Psalms, in Job, and in Jeremiah. devil and death? Do you not see that there is
In this way, there is a perpetual struggle going also such a thing as grace, forgiveness of sins,

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righteousness, comfort, joy, peace, love, heaven, Does fear disappear then?
God, and Christ? What are the law, sin, and all No, but it does change. Your fear then becomes
those evils when compared to all these glorious sweet and is mixed with the nectar of love. Then
things? Hope upon God, who did not spare His you fear God, but you also love him. These are
own Son. Do you see? Then the law has lost its totally different from each other, yet they still
hold over you. Then you are held captive under truly belong together as well. Just like the law
the law, but only until Christ comes. and the gospel; or sin and grace. Nothing in the
world can compare to this wonderful union.
Does the grace of Christ remain afterward?
Have no fear about that. Christ is eternal, so His Luther returns once again to the two-fold use
grace is also eternal. The law has to give way, of the law: the civil and the theological uses.
but Christ will never again step aside. That is the Because we have dealt with this before,
power of faith. we pass it over this time. You can read the
original text on page 264.
But then I urgently need to know that my faith
is real. 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster
This declaration by Paul is actually an ideal tool to bring us unto Christ …
by which to determine this. If you only stand in
awe of God without hope of forgiveness, then it Schoolmaster: that is not such a positive term.
is no different from the awe and anxiety which Think of a pedagogue, a steward. Indeed, it is
Cain, Saul, and Judas had. That is the servile not positive. When a pupil at school is roughly
fear of despair. handled by a teacher, then you need not expect
Do you want to know whether your faith is real? that pupil to have much love for that pedagogue.
Then see whether your fear of God has been You find a Biblical example with Moses. The
overcome through faith in the Word of grace. people loved Moses, the lawgiver. But how often
To determine whether you no longer look to the they picked up stones to kill him!
law, but to Christ. Back to the example of a pupil at school. Must that
student remain at school under the instruction

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of the teacher indefinitely? No. Through the In what way?
school lessons, he is to be prepared for life in Christ does not dispose of the old law. Neither
society, so that he will later be able to take on does He give you a new law that you would have
responsibilities. And in that way, the law is a to keep. When is He the end of the law? When
schoolmaster to Christ. you believe in Him. Then you are righteous, and
then the law can no longer reach you. That is
3:24 … that we might be justified by faith. what is meant by “the end of the law”.
Do notice, however, that Paul is writing about
Must it always point towards Christ? those who do not yet have this justification. He
Indeed, the law always has Him in view when is discussing sinners, not justified people. By
it functions as a pedagogue in your life. But now you know what the law does with a godless
you will not see that nor will you believe it. person: he breaks the sinner’s heart and
On the contrary, you go to work yourself, and declares him to be guilty. But once you begin
you say: “I have lived improperly, violated the to live by faith, the law has lost this function.
commandments of God, and thereby earned Then you are free from the law. That is why Paul
everlasting death. But if God will grant me a few concludes this verse with the following phrase.
more years, I will improve my life, and live piously
from now on.” If you say that, you misapply the 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no
law. How do you dare to promise God that you longer under a schoolmaster.
will be able to keep the law perfectly?
Surely, a believer must still be troubled by the
How then must I make use of the law? law?
When you properly apply the law, it brings you As soon as you are in Christ, you are free from
to a knowledge of your sins. Then you become the law. Where the Lord is, there is liberty. If
humble, and you will go to Christ in order to you would truly understand Christ, who has
experience justification by faith. Do you know destroyed the law for you and reconciled you
what faith really is? It is a firm confidence that to His Father through His death, you would
grasps hold of Christ. He is the end of the law. experience this liberty more. But you are correct

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in stating that, as a believer, you are still often not, that will take some time yet.
troubled by the law. However, that is not the And likewise, in spite of the work of Christ in
fault of Christ but of yourself. You are still partly your soul, you can repeatedly look to yourself,
carnal. On the one hand, you are under grace; time and again. Your stinginess, the pride of your
on the other hand, under the law. “So then with heart, your fear of death, sorrow, impatience
the mind, I myself serve the law of God; but with toward God … Then the law comes again as a
the flesh the law of sin”, Romans 7:25. tutor to cause you to look to Christ.

How can Paul then say that, as a believer, you Is that the reason why, as a believer, I must
are no longer under the schoolmaster? continue to hear God’s Word repeatedly?
He says this with your conscience in view. If Christ is truly in you and you in Him, then
The law is no longer allowed to bother your admittedly the law is dead for you. However,
conscience with its threats and curse. And if he you are still not entirely leavened, to use the
does that regardless, then one single glance above example again. Do you notice jealousy,
at the crucified Christ is enough to let all the sorrow, fear of death? That is a sign that the law
burden fall away from you. still has power. At the same time, it also means
In this way, the law does still remain active as a that Christ is not there. Because where He is,
tutor. No longer to your destruction, but to your there is no fear or sorrow. There, only peace
salvation. As a result, you die a little more to self and assurance prevail.
every day.
I would like my faith to be so clear that all
Can you give me an example of this? uncertainty would disappear.
Just think of the leaven. That is a small lump Very understandable, but that is not going
that is inserted into a large mound of dough. The to happen during your life. The leavening
leaven is Christ. If you see only Him, then there process has only just begun. Nevertheless, as a
is no law, no sin, no death to be seen anywhere. Christian, you may take courage. Where He has
That leaven begins to do its work. Is the dough begun, He will also complete the process. That
immediately leavened throughout? Of course happens when you die, and when you will arise

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with Christ as a new person. Amen! something different. That is a matter of receiving
a new birth. Then you put on Christ Himself.
3:26 For ye are all the children of God by That entails His innocence, His righteousness,
faith in Christ Jesus. His wisdom, His might, His salvation, His life,
and His Spirit.
Paul certainly keeps hammering away at the
faith. How then?
It is good of you to notice that. It is consistently: Think of a cloak. Of yourself, you are dressed in
“by faith”, “in faith”, “out of the faith which is in the animal skins which Adam and Eve received
Christ Jesus.” Regardless of how much you when they had to leave Paradise. That is the
may have worked with the law, it will not justify cloak of sin. Believe that you are sold under sin.
you. Are you a son or daughter of Christ? Then Of yourself, you are full of evil lusts, impurity,
this is only through faith in Him. and covetousness. A terrible cloak inherited
from your ancestor Adam. How can you again
3:27 For as many of you as have been become a child of God? Not by polishing up
baptized into Christ have put on Christ. this cloak somewhat, or by changing it a little
here and there. It can only happen through
What does it mean to “put on” Christ? regeneration and renewal. And you see that in
You can perceive this in two ways: according to baptism, of which Paul is speaking here. You
the law or according to the gospel. also see it in Titus 3:5: “… according to his mercy
If you put on Christ according to the law, you he saved us, by the washing of regeneration …”
are doing what is stated in Romans 13:14: “Put
on the Lord Jesus Christ.” That means: Follow Does baptism have such profound importance?
His example. Must you suffer? He also did Certainly. Never think too trivially of baptism.
that. Must you be patient? He was patient as Baptism demonstrates that Christ becomes
well. Must you be temperate? He gave you an your cloak. And you know that He is not a law,
example. no lawgiver, nor a work. Christ is a divine and
To put on Christ according to the gospel is inexpressible gift of the Father. You come to life

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through Him. all sinned and come short of the glory of God”,
Read the above text once more, or what you see Romans 3:23.
have just read from Titus. Baptism is not just a
distinguishing mark, an empty sign. It is putting 3:28 … for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
on Christ like a cloak. If you are clothed with
Him in this way, then you will also follow after Are you saying that I must not lose sight of Him?
Him. If that happens, all is lost. You must see nothing
outside of Him. You must believe that He is
3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is more familiar to you than you are to yourself.
neither bond nor free, there is neither male He is not sitting idly in heaven. He lives, as Paul
nor female … wrote previously in this letter: “I live; yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me …”, Gal 2:20. By the way,
Does this mean that everyone is equal? do you notice what Paul is doing? He displays
When it comes to whether or not you are in Christ through the Word. It cannot be any other
Christ, this is indeed true. Because, if there is no way. Do you want to see Christ? Then read His
law, then there is no Jew with all his laws either. Word! That is how you can grasp Him by faith.
The same applies to the wise Greeks. Whatever In this way, you must very simply “have your
wisdom may exist in this world, it has absolutely deportment8 in heaven, where Christ is.” He truly
no value before God. lives. That is not imagination, it is really true.
This applies even to servants and their masters,
to men and their wives. However good the 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye
working relationship or the marriage may be; Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the
when it comes to being justified before God, promise.
none of this plays any role. Exert yourself as
much as you can, yet this will not remove your As a true Christian, am I Abraham’s seed, even
sins. Only Christ can do that. Before God, you though I am not a Jew?
are the equal of every other person. “They have
8 The AV has “conversation” which can be mistaken to in-
dicate speech only instead of overall conduct. The Greek
original means “citizenship” or living as a citizen.

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Certainly! Here Paul includes all pagans as
children of Abraham. His blessing now also
applies to you. Do not be amazed, because it
had already been foretold in the Bible, in the
well-known text from Genesis 22: “… and in
thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed…” In this way, along with all believers,
you are one in Christ, the seed of Abraham.

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Chapter 4 A nice example, but what does this have to do
with me?
4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he Picture yourself as that child once. Although you
is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, have the promise of the inheritance, but you
though he be lord of all; have to wait. That is also how it is spiritually.
4:2 Is under tutors and governors until the God has given the promise of Christ. But as
time appointed of the father. long as He has not come into your life, you are
still under the guardian: under the law.
Is Paul using some kind of parable here?
This law holds you captive and bound. In this way,
You could call it that. Paul is actually repeating
you cannot grasp the inheritance (salvation). On
himself here because he had completely
the other hand, the law does not let you perish
explained the doctrine of justification by faith
from hunger either. A guardian provides you
already. But he also knew that for most people
with food and drink. But when Christ comes, the
a painting is more interesting than a fat book.
time of the law is past. You have already read in
Therefore, he takes an example from everyday
chapter 3 what “the time of the law” means.
life. You could call it holy cunning. You will
encounter this method of persuasion more often 4:3 … (we) were in bondage under the
in the rest of this chapter. elements of the world …
As for the example that he uses: it focuses on
a child who will later inherit all the goods of his In bondage: that sounds rather barbaric.
father. But as long as he is still a child, he is It is indeed barbaric. As long as you are under
not allowed to do as he pleases with the things the law, you are not free. The law imposes its
which had already been promised to him. In that might over you with all its force, the way a tyrant
sense, he is no better than a servant, who may strikes his prisoners and keeps them locked
not touch his master’s goods either. up. The law causes anxiousness, sorrow, and
despair. You know first-hand how difficult it is to
4:3 Even so, we, when we were children … serve the law, and that you never succeed. But
when Christ comes, all this belongs to the past.

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Paul seems to be speaking somewhat mockingly woman, made under the law,
about the law. 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law
Are you referring to the expression “first …
elements”, or principles? Yes, he does that
more often when speaking of the law. “The letter What a lovely way to describe the Lord Jesus.

kills…”, 2 Corinthians 3:6. “… the law of sin and Do you see that as well? Paul is very meticulous

death.” Romans 8:2. “… the strength of sin …” in his description of Christ. He calls Him Son of

1 Corinthians 15:56. The apostle does this very God and Son of a woman. That indicates that

deliberately, in order to chase you away from we are dealing with the person of Christ, as well

the law. Do realize that we are still speaking as His office. As for the person: He is truly God

about the doctrine of justification here. In other and truly man. And, referring to His office, Paul

words, how you – a sinner – become righteous says: “He was placed under the law, in order to

before God. When he is on that topic, Paul deliver those who were under the law.”

speaks rather disdainfully about the law. When

Who is meant by the woman?
it concerns other functions of the law, such as
Mary. The reason she is referred to here as
you encountered in chapter 3, then you have
simply “woman”, is because Paul is here
to speak reverently about the law. Because the
confining himself to the main aspects. He is
law is divine, holy, righteous, and good.
discussing righteousness, which Christ has
earned by being born of a woman. Mentioning
Luther translates the words “the first
that she is a woman is sufficient. Ultimately,
principles” as “the elements of the world”. In
that is how you know that Christ was really
what follows, he pursues the meaning of the
human. Meanwhile, it also indicates that what
law for society at large. He also repeats what
he had already written about the function of happened here was most unusual. Every other
the law in this world. You find this on pages person has a father and a mother, but Christ has
287 to 289. only an earthly mother. In that sense, Paul is
clearly specifying that Jesus was born of a virgin

4:4 But when the fulness of the time was because no man was involved.

come, God sent forth his Son, made of a

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What did Christ do with the law? because of His terrors and sorrow. Finally, He
Perhaps you think that Christ came to bring a had to pay the ultimate price for it by dying on
new law. But be careful with that. He is not a the cross.
lawgiver, in the way Moses was. Christ said it
Himself: “… I came not to judge the world, but Did the law just get away with doing all this?

to save the world.” John 12:47. He has judged Oh no! This creature (because that is what the

and damned the old law. Has the law killed you? law is) had laid violent hands on its Creator. It,

That same law has been killed by Christ. therefore, had to appear in court and be accused.
Christ said as it were: “Lady law, empress and
In what way does Jesus deliver from the law? tyrant of all people; what have I done wrong, to
You know that He is not under the law, but that cause you to have accused, terrified and judged
He stands over it. After all, is the Son of God Me, the innocent one?”
not the Owner of everything? Therefore, the law
could not judge or damn Him, as it can do to you. What could the law say to that?

But now Christ has voluntarily placed Himself Nothing whatsoever. That is why the law was,

under the law so that the law could attack Him in turn, judged, damned, and brought to death.

after all. When the law does that to you, it finds And in this way, it loses its right to condemn.

enough reasons to declare you guilty. And with In the first place in regard to Christ, but also in

Christ? There it found nothing. He “did no sin, regard to you, if you believe in Him. He invites

neither was guile found in his mouth.” 1 Peter you: “Come to Me, all who are sighing under the

2:22. yoke of the law. I could have defeated the law

without suffering because I am innocent. But I
So, the law could do nothing? came under the law as a human, like yourself,
That is the unusual aspect of this. The law raged in order to be able to deliver you from this law.”
in all its fury against this holy, righteous Christ –
even worse than against you. It made Him out What a wonder, that Christ was willing to do that!

to be a blasphemer, a troublemaker. It made It certainly was when you consider that He did not

Him guilty of all the sins of the entire world! It have to do it. It was all voluntary. The law could

so oppressed Him, that He even sweat blood do nothing to Him, but He still came forward to

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present Himself voluntarily. He humbled Himself which the Lord spoke about these laws. None
to become human so that the law would be able of these had anything to do with justification, but
to reach Him after all. He has allowed the law to with the doctrine of good works by faith. Christ’s
become His ruler. Can you understand this? The real work was not to explain the law. He only did
ruler of all is being ruled over. Everything which that as there was an occasion for it, in the same
the law was not allowed to do, it has done. And way as he also healed the sick and raised the
He allowed it. As God and as a man. In this way, dead.
Christ has scored a double victory over the law
and has killed it. He did this as the Son of God, Then what was Christ’s most important work?

but also as a human. It was to engage in the struggle with the law,
as God and as man, and to defeat this law. It
What the law has done is certainly atrocious. was specifically because He perfectly kept the
That is also why it has lost all power. Wherever law and bore it, that He defeated it. But He also
the Name of Jesus is mentioned, this defiler condemned and destroyed it when He arose
of the temple and murderer of God’s Son has from the dead. Do not think, therefore, that
to flee away. It is for this very reason that, as explaining the law and performing miracles was
a believer, you are free from the law. Is that the most important work of Christ. The prophets
because you try so hard? Not at all! Christ has who lived before Him did this as well. Yes, they
obtained this glorious victory, without any input even did it more than Christ did; see John 14:12.
from you whatsoever. This glorious victory is
available to everyone who believes. What good does it do me to know this?

To sum it all up: Christ is a divine and a human So that you may know that Christ is truly God.

person, born of God in eternity, born of a woman How do you know this? There is only one who

in time. He has not come to impose laws, but to can defeat the law, and that is God. Grasp hold

endure these, and to destroy them. of Christ, therefore as Paul here describes Him;
then you cannot go lost or go astray. Only then
Yet, in the New Testament Christ has given and will you understand the world around you, and
explained many laws. develop a settled opinion about it. If you do not
You must pay close attention to the context in have Christ, then this is impossible. Then world

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events often seem to be utterly chaotic. By your the fire upon the heads of the apostles. These
own effort, you cannot understand the law of clear signs were necessary in order to persuade
God, much less explain it. As a Christian, you the unbelievers, see 1 Corinthians 14:22:
have authority over the law. But if you are not a “The speaking in tongues is a sign, not for the
Christian, the law has dominion over you. believers, but for the unbelievers.”
Now God sends His Spirit into your heart, as
4:5 … that we might receive the adoption of you read in the above text. This happens
sons. without clear signs, but you do certainly notice it.
Through this Spirit, you become a new person,
How do I become a child of God?
with a new understanding of things and a new
That miracle stems from the blessing which God
manner of life. You do not learn this intellectually,
gave to Abraham in Genesis 22:18: “In thy seed
but it is a work of the Holy Spirit. How does He
shall (…) be blessed.” Everything flows out of
do that? Through the Word of God. Therefore,
this. How can you become a child of God? Not
value this Word highly. You can only form a
by any work which you perform. Not one. You
reliable opinion based on this Word.
are only accepted as a child on account of the
deliverance by Jesus Christ, God’s Son. How do I notice whether the Holy Spirit is in me?
At the same time as you are accepted as a child Scrutinize your sense of judgment, your speech,
of God, you also receive the Holy Spirit, which and your confession carefully. Could you
causes you to cry out: “Abba, dear Father!” Paul previously clearly state that everything about
will now proceed to deal with this aspect. you was contaminated by sin? That everything
you did was evil? No, you could not do that;
4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent
you did not even want to. But with the Spirit in
forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts …
your heart, that is indeed what you now want
How is the Holy Spirit sent to us? to do. You see Christ as the only cause of your
It happens in two ways: salvation.
In the New Testament, you see that the Spirit Therefore, do not concern yourself with the
comes in a very visible manner. Think of the opinion of people who are not Christians. They
dove at the baptism of the Lord Jesus. And of might vilify you with unimaginable name-calling,

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but then just realize that they do not have the whether or not you are living in the power of the
light of the Sun of righteousness. This conviction Holy Spirit.
in your conscience is sufficient proof: that it is
God’s gift that causes you to believe in Him, and I still find it difficult to not give way to doubt.

enables you to confess Him before the people. Remain steadfast and believe that you are “a

As it states in Psalm 116:10: “I believe, therefore temple of the Holy Spirit”, as Paul says in 1

I speak, however I am being humiliated deeply.” Corinthians 6:19. Do you have loving affection
for the Word of God? Do you enjoy hearing,
Sadly: how could I have the Holy Spirit if I still do speaking, and writing about Christ? Then you
so many sins? may know that this cannot be the work of the
Do not think you can live without sins. If you human will or understanding. That is the work of
are in the faith, you will avoid sins as much as the Holy Spirit.
possible. Do you sin? These are the remnants
of your old sinful nature. Because, as concerns What if I despise the Word of God?

this present life, you will continue to sin, even if Then the devil reigns in your life. He still holds

you have received the Holy Spirit. you captive and he prevents the light of the

Also, do not think that the world rejoices when gospel and the glory of Christ from illuminating

you live by this Spirit. To an unbeliever, your you. Then you are indifferent to God’s Word,

life is still very mundane. It means nothing to and you find it totally irrelevant.

them that you faithfully perform your duties, Be grateful therefore if you notice that you

provide guidance, are generous, and help your long for the Word of God. And endeavor to be

neighbor. Anybody can do that, they say. Do you assured that the Holy Spirit dwells in you.

know what does make them ecstatic? The good

Why is it so necessary to be aware of this all the
works of nominal Christians, who make a great
time?
display of it when they do something good. They
Because there are so many people who say that
are even prepared to pay for it.
you can never be sure during this life whether
But what happens if you get cornered? If you
you have actually received grace. But how do
have to give up everything for the Name of
you expect to ever believe that your sins are
Christ? Then it immediately becomes evident

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forgiven if you keep doubting whether God Truly, everything originates with Christ. The love
wants to be gracious to you? Augustine has for His Word, but also the assurance of which we
clearly expressed “that everyone is very certain just spoke. Fight against your doubts every day,
of his faith if he has any.” and try with all might to obtain the assurance of
faith. Doubt disavows the deliverance through
Luther also refers to the church offices when Christ. Doubt renounces all the benefits of
discussing the assurance of faith. Office Christ.
bearers must be assured that their office
pleases God. If you wish to see the original 4:6 … crying, Abba, Father.
text, you will find it on page 299.
How would I ever dare to call God my Father?

How can I possibly be sure that there is grace You do not have to do that. Read carefully to

in my heart? determine Who is doing the calling here. It is

Because Christ knew with unwavering certainty the Spirit! Paul uses a very potent word here

that the Spirit was in His heart. And that same that implies screaming more than calling.

Spirit is sent out to enter into your heart, Paul What a comfort, that the Spirit comes to your

states in this text. Here it again applies: the aid. In Romans 8:26 he calls this scream an

foundation lies in Christ! inexpressible sighing.

And what if I still doubt? Why should that provide me with any comfort?

Exercise yourself in the faith, strive against the Just try to think for a moment: What can all stand

doubts, and exert yourself to the utmost to again in the way of your being able to believe? First

recover your assurance. Keep this up as long as of all, you have a sinful heart. Secondly, you

it takes before you can say again: “I know that I repeatedly doubt God’s goodness towards you.

have been accepted, and have the Holy Spirit; Thirdly, the devil goes around like a roaring lion.

not because of my worthiness or decent life, but A lion who also screams: “You are a sinner, that

because of Christ, who has subjected Himself to is why God is angry with you, and He is going

the law for my sake, and has borne the sins of to destroy you forever.” What could you possibly

the world. In Him I trust.” argue against that? Nothing at all, would you not

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agree?
themselves heard. Truly, this sighing of the
But I still have Christ, right? Spirit fills heaven, so that the angels think there
And are you expecting to be able to keep Christ is nothing but this screaming.
clearly in view in times of severe temptation?
It is usually the opposite for me. I am so weak …
Please realize that in such circumstances He is
And it is exactly then that you are mighty, Paul
often not to be seen. Then what must you do,
says in 2 Corinthians 12. That very weak sigh of
over against the roaring of the devil and of sin?
yours, while you think you are only hearing the
Read this text once more. Because in the midst
roaring of Satan, is in God’s ears a scream. The
of your misery, the terrors, and death, the Holy
strength of Christ is applied in our weakness.
Spirit begins to scream: “Abba, dear Father!”
This drowns out all other noises, it pierces Apparently, the Spirit does not need many
through everything and reaches the ear of God. words.
What would you ever do without this Spirit? He It is indeed no more than a sigh: “O Father!” That
sighs, to the end that you can again overcome is very short, but this says it all. Here the heart
your own weakness, and you again get the speaks, rather than the mouth. As a Christian,
Savior in view so that you can say: “Abba, dear you may be you are totally cornered. You see
Father.” no way out anymore. And then you are still able
to say: “I am Thy son or daughter for Christ’s
Why would it be that I hear so little of this
sake. I am beloved for the sake of the Beloved
screaming?
One.” This sigh of the Spirit is so powerful that it
You are not aware of it. When you are spiritually
is even called inexpressible.
in trouble, you start sighing to Christ. You read
in your Bible and give another sigh, not realizing
that the Spirit is sighing along with you. This may
In his book, Luther speaks of the papacy and
be inaudible for you, but for the great discerner
the so-called papists, for several pages. He
of hearts, it is very loud screaming. It is even so once again proves the doctrine of assurance
forceful, that the roar of the law of death, of hell, of faith, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the
and of the devil are all totally unable to make heart of a believer.

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 What must I understand by the term “servant”
He also attacks the counter-arguments that
here?
the Roman Catholics presented. You find
That is what you are when you are accused and
the original text on pages 306 to 309.
held captive under the law. Then you lie under
the wrath of God and under the fear of death.
4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant,
You do not know God as a Father, but as a
but a son …
torturer and a tyrant. It is a life in slavery, even
Paul certainly makes a powerful assertion here. worse than the lives of the Jews in Babylon.
And rightly so. It is precisely through sighing And now Paul states very clearly: in the faith
that you become a child. God grants promises, of Christ there are no servants any more, but
but He is still not a Father to you if you have not children. The apostle had explained this earlier
responded. How does that work? By faith. And already in chapter 3:25.
by ‘screaming’ with your sighs, and by answering
If I know that I am a child, how must I then react
with your heart: “Dear Father!” Then Father and
against attacks by the law?
son or daughter come together. Do not think
Say to this law that its dominance has ended, it
that you have to go through a lot of effort for
can no longer sit on the throne because Christ
this: none of your works play any role in this.
already occupies that. Say that you will not
Here God the Father is alone, who calls you His
listen to it anymore, because you are no longer
son or daughter through His Son Jesus Christ.
a servant, but a child. Make sure that the law
No compulsion, no demands of the law: only
never achieves control over your conscience
the sigh of a child who in the midst of suffering
again. Christ has delivered you from it, so do
says: “Thou dost promise it, and dost call me
not let it gain access again.
a son or daughter for Christ’s sake: I accept it
Think of Christ as a bridegroom. He lies in
and I call Thee Father.” Do realize: you will only
the wedding chamber. Do you think the law is
understand these things when you experience
allowed to enter there? Not a chance! Just let
them yourself.
the law stay with the old nature; you know what
we mean – the donkey in the pasture. Just let
the law tell you, for example, how you must

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conduct yourself among other people. But the In the same way, you also obtain a right to the
conscience belongs to Christ. inheritance of God passively: the forgiveness of
sins, righteousness, the glory of the resurrection,
Then this assurance is sure a great thing to and everlasting life. You can only be aware of
have! this by faith. Only in that way do you become
It is even immeasurable. If you may know that a child of God, born of the Word, which also
you are a child of God, you are still only seeing nurtures you to adulthood.
a small dot in the center of an enormous circle.
You have no idea how large that circle really It is almost too hard to believe: to be an heir of
is. That is why being God’s child sometimes God …
does not seem to be so terrific. But that is This concept is indeed too overwhelming to
because you are not gauging it with the right grasp with the understanding. Not an heir of
measuring stick. For this, you must make use an enormously rich king, but an heir of that
of the promises of God. God is without limits, so almighty God, the Creator of all. It is therefore
are His promises. Now you might only see the with good reason that Paul calls this inheritance
pinpoint in the center, but you will one day see “inexpressible”. See 2 Corinthians 9:15.
the complete circle.
If only I could believe this!
4:7 … and if a son, then an heir of God Then you would begin to despise everything
through Christ. of this world as being like mud and garbage.
However glorious, delightful and pretty the
What must I do to inherit the good things of things of the world may be, you would abhor
God? them. The more worldly glitter, the greater your
How do you become an heir to your parents? aversion. In addition, just like Paul, you would
By being their child. And that happens by birth. desire to die early in order to be with Christ.
You can do nothing at all toward this; you are Then death would put an end to all the evil, and
passive. As a child, you automatically obtain a it would bring you to this glorious inheritance.
right to inheritance. Yes, if you believe this sincerely, you will not live
much longer. You would die of an excess of joy.

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I just do not have such faith as you describe. “We only have the first-fruits of the Spirit during
That is due to your old nature, which fights this life”, see Romans 8:23.
against the Spirit. Consequently, your faith
always remains imperfect. You need the help of … through Christ.

the Holy Spirit for this. That Spirit, who sighs in

Why does the apostle keep mentioning Christ?
your anguish, as you have read previously.
He anticipated what was going to happen: Christ
Paul also knew this struggle. “O wretched man
would be overlooked. Because, just be honest
that I am! who shall deliver me from the body
once: as a church-attending person, how much
of this death?”, Rom 7:24. Did you notice that
do you know of Him? That is why Paul repeatedly
the apostle refers to his body with that ugly term
mentions this name and displays Him before
“death”? It is the body that disturbs the joy of the
your eyes. Just take notice once: When Paul
Spirit.
discusses grace, righteousness, or promises,
Because of this body you are not able to think
he always inserts “in Christ” or “through Christ”
clearly about the inheritance in heaven.
behind it.

It is not such an easy road to travel after all?

4:8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye
If you think that, then you know nothing of the
did service unto them which by nature are
struggle between flesh and spirit. Do not expect
no gods.
that, at a whim, you can just bring the entire Bible
4:9 But now, after that ye have known God,
into practice. You should not expect to achieve
or rather are known of God, how turn ye
perfect faith during this lifetime. You would then
again to the weak and beggarly elements,
totally despise the world, and money, esteem,
whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
earthly delights, and prestige would become
meaningless to you. When suffering loss, you
Because Luther discusses these two verses
would not despair or be sorrowful. You would do in great detail and thereby repeats a portion
everything out of love and in patience. of his previous book, we have severely
But alas … the opposite is often the case. Your shortened and compacted the explanation
old nature is still strong, and faith is pitifully of this portion. You find the original text on
weak. That is why Paul states so appropriately: pages 313 to 326.

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What are these weak and beggarly first of Christ, you stubbornly continue to think: “If I
principles? do this, God will take pity on me. If I refrain from
For the Galatians, this was not the law, because doing it, He will be angry.”
they did not know the law in the same way as Please realize that no such god is to be found.
the Jews. Paul’s purpose here is to demonstrate It is a mirage, a dream, an idol in your heart.
that it is perilous to let go of the doctrine of The true God despises these self-devised ways.
justification. Because then you have nothing With these words, Paul is not only correcting the
left besides hypocrisy, impiety, and idol worship. Galatians but everyone who relinquishes Christ
And then your background no longer means and His righteousness.
anything. Whether or not you have been raised
to know the law no longer matters. I have known my entire life that there is a God.
How then must I read the words “when you did
What is the reason for that? not know God yet”?
God only wants to be known in Christ, see John Even if you were not raised with the Bible, you
1:18. Not any other way. Christ is the means, would still know that there is a God. There is a
the life, and the mirror by which you see God universal knowledge of God, which is granted
and know His will. God makes His mercy known to all people. But there is still another type of
to you in Christ and shows you that God is not knowledge: knowing what God wants, and
an angry Judge, but a gentle Father. what He wants to give to you by grace. That
constitutes the true knowledge of God. After all,
And what if I do not know this mercy? you only really know someone when you know
Then you will attempt to do your utmost, in what he or she wants. Therefore, as long as
every way imaginable, to appease God. You try you do not know the will of God, you will only
to reach God with your understanding, but this be pursuing a vague fantasy. That is that idol of
will never succeed. “But the natural man does which Paul is speaking here.
not understand the things of the Spirit of God
…”, 1 Corinthians 2:14. And: “There is none that Do I know God? Or, does He know me?
understandeth, there is none that seeketh after You learn to know God by knowing what He
God.” Rom 3:11. Yet, being without knowledge wants. The Galatians had also learned that.

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But then Paul corrects himself, as it were, by the people?
stating afterward: “Yes, what is much more: you These had to be kept by the Jews in the Old
are known of God.” Have you lost sight of God Testament. But now that Christ had come, this
because you are again serving your old gods? was not so for the Galatians. Again: Paul writes
Do you not know Him anymore? Then remember this with justification in view. He knew that the
this: God still continues to know you! You have false apostles had told them that they must
been touched by the Word; God has granted indeed begin to keep these special days again,
you faith and the Holy Spirit, and you have been otherwise they would not be righteous before
renewed. Do you now see how passive your God. That is what Paul is fiercely contending
knowledge really is? You receive it all. against.

4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and But do we not still celebrate Sunday and other
times, and years. Christian feast days?
Do you do that in order to become righteous
Were the Galatians celebrating pagan feasts? before God? Then you are not doing it properly.
Many expositors of this text do indeed think that You must celebrate these feasts by voluntary
to be the case. That the Galatians, just like the choice. You must not think that by a well-spent
Chaldeans of old, commemorated all kinds of Sunday you can earn a spot in heaven. Besides,
special days and that Paul was warning them it is good to know that Sunday is a means by
about this. But the apostle is still speaking here which to maintain unity in the church (insofar as
of the doctrine of justification, and this text this exists). But you may especially celebrate
must also be seen in that context. These feast Sundays in order to hear God’s Word, to come
days refer to the feast days which Moses had together as Christians, to use the sacraments,
commanded the people: the sabbath, the new to pray for each other, and to thank God for his
moon, the first and the seventh month, the three benefits.
great feasts, the sabbatical year, and the year
of jubilee. 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed
upon you labor in vain.
Were these not feasts that the Lord had given

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Why is Paul suddenly being so much more but earlier I certainly encountered some rather
friendly here? harsh language.
He realized that a harsh tone would only cause Here Paul seems to realize that as well.
the Galatians to become more hardened. The Now that the important part of the epistle is
apostle had been terribly disappointed by the completed, he becomes aware that he had
degeneracy of the congregation, you can be tackled the Galatians rather severely. He called
sure of that. But in order to not reproach them them foolish, bewitched, unbelieving, and the
too severely, he more or less took ownership of crucifiers of Christ. Now he is afraid that he may
the damage: “I fear that I may have worked in have done more harm than good. That is why
vain.” It bothers him that, in spite of his great he now wants his readers to know that all these
diligence, he sees that so many people have reprimands came from a fatherly heart. You may
gone astray. learn from this that you are allowed to be severe
and sharp towards those who try to mess things
Is this method of correction not a bit too soft? up. But towards those who have been misled,
Even if the apostle does not use harsh words, you must rather be soft and patient.
he still tells them that they have either remained
stubborn unbelievers or that they have departed Does Paul retract his hurtful words?
from the faith. In either case, the result is the He might have softened his angry words
same: they are sinners, godless, unrighteous, somewhat, but he does not retract them. You
and damned. And now they attempt to make the could compare it to a doctor and his patient. The
mess look a little less deplorable by celebrating doctor knows that the patient would benefit from
these feast days. Yet, Paul does not use harsh a very bitter potion. May the patient then blame
words. He feels that doing so would only cause the doctor for having to swallow this filthy stuff?
more damage.
4:12 … ye have not injured me at all.
4:12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for
I am as ye are … Paul is definitely being oh, so gentle now.
Yes, he is weakening the bitter potion, as it were,
He may have softened his tone somewhat, with honey and sugar, so that it becomes sweet

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again. He also indicates that the Galatians had 12:9 and 10: “Most gladly therefore will I rather
not harmed him after he had so sharply corrected glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
them. “You have aggrieved yourselves, but not may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure
me”, the apostle says. And he can say that in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
because he knows that his sharp words of persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for
correction did not come from an angry heart, but when I am weak, then am I strong.” Hereby you
out of a heart that was filled with love. see: he is not alluding to any sickness, but to the
bodily suffering which he had to bear.
4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the
flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the That still does not seem very pleasant, this
first. suffering.
4:14 And my temptation which was in my Then you are appraising it differently from Paul.
flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but He vaunted his weaknesses “so that the power
received me as an angel of God, even as of God might dwell in me.” If you are a believer,
Christ Jesus. the enemies can certainly make trouble. But
they will never achieve a victory.
Now the Galatians are at least getting a well-
deserved compliment. The suffering which is “pleasant”? That is a
Paul is indeed bestowing honor upon them difficult concept to comprehend.
by writing this. He did not do this to any other This cannot be grasped by your understanding at
congregation. Whereas the poor and simple all. That is why Christ Himself says: “And blessed
Paul had been despised and hated everywhere is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”,
else, this was not the case in Galatia. They had Matt 11:6. It is truly something marvelous if you
accepted what he had to say, they had called know Him, and acknowledge Him as Lord; who
themselves followers of him and even saw him was the most miserable, the most peculiar, the
as an angel of God. Yes, even as Jesus Christ. most despised, and the most rejected Person
ever. It is truly great if you love Him, who was
What is meant by “the infirmity of the flesh”? hated by others, and was condemned by his
Paul gives the answer himself in 2 Corinthians own people. It is truly a marvel when you pay no

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attention to the exasperation of others. It is truly 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye
awesome if you assess everything else of this spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had
world to be trivial in comparison to this Christ. been possible, ye would have plucked out
your own eyes, and have given them to me.
Was Paul only troubled by external suffering?
Oh no, just think of what he says in 2 Corinthians Here Paul is again overloading the Galatians

12:7: “there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, with congratulatory praise!

the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” In addition That is certainly the case. You must remember:

to this, he also had inner sorrow: “… without if it had become necessary, they would have

were fightings, within were fears”, 2 Corinthians given their eyes for the sake of this apostle.

7:5. And during all this, the Galatians did not Hereby the apostle means: they would have

despise Paul. risked their lives for him. Paul, a man who was
hated and despised by most people, perhaps
Oh, no? Had they not become disobedient to even referred to as a great monster. Do you see
the gospel? that the Galatians were at that point still truly
Just read the text carefully one more time. Paul convinced of the truth? They would otherwise
is referring to the first time he brought the gospel not have been willing to risk this much.
there. Then they did not despise him or his
doctrine but they fully endorsed him. They did 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy,

this in spite of the disdain which was heaped on because I tell you the truth?

him by other people. You must not underestimate

Is Paul afraid that the Galatians now see him as
this. The opinion of others usually means a lot,
their enemy?
especially if it involves people of whom you
He does at least suspect that. With these words,
think highly. It can be almost impossible at such
he gives the reason for sometimes using harsh
a time to maintain your own standpoint! But
words in his epistle. “Do realize that I have not
the Galatians stood firm until the false apostles
just done so needlessly”, Paul says. “I did it out
came. And that is what Paul is now praising
of love. If I had not loved you so dearly, I would
them for.
not have made the effort to correct you.”

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If it ever happens that a friend is stern with you, for the Lord …”, see 1 Kings 19:14. This zeal
then just be happy about it. He will be doing so is good and is like a fit of holy jealousy, in the
out of love toward you. way a man can be jealous over his wife, a father
over his son, and a brother over his brother. It is
jealousy that cannot tolerate what is unfavorable
4:17 They zealously affect you, but not well in the other.
…
What about the false apostles?
Who is courting9 who here? They attempted an imitation of zealousness, but
This is about the false apostles. In their own meanwhile, they had a different goal in view.
way, they certainly were doing their utmost for You also must always try to distinguish between
the members of the congregation. So, they said good and evil zeal. Do not let yourself be so
to Paul: “Why are you now being so stern with easily persuaded by someone who claims to
them? They are good to us.” But Paul pierces have the best intentions towards you. Because
right through this phony eagerness. Yes, they …
have zeal towards them, but not in a good way.
You might come into a situation where people 4:17 … yea, they would exclude you, that
will do almost anything for the church, and do ye might affect them.
nothing but good in their lives. But if meanwhile, (Luther’s translation says: … but they want to
they bring in wrong notions, you must not exclude us so that they would be able to exercise
cooperate with them. Is love then not important their zeal over you.)10
in a church? Of course, but never at the cost of
the truth! Remain alert to that danger. The intention of these other apostles was indeed
not so noble.
So there is both good zeal and wrong zeal? And that is what Paul is trying to show the
Exactly. You also find these in the Bible. Think Galatians. With a tremendous amount of zeal
of Elijah, who said: “I have been very zealous and a strange shade of love, they strive to win

9 In this verse, the Greek word actually means to court in 10 The Greek term humas definitely means “you” as in the
the sense of winning someone over. AV, not “us” as Luther has it.

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over the people in Galatia. How? By pushing that believeth...”, Rom 1:16.
Paul aside and invoking hatred against him. By Ultimately, he took Jesus’ counsel to heart: “Just
pointing this out, Paul is, in turn, discrediting the leave them be; they are blind leaders of the
false apostles to the Galatians. Is it wrong to do blind”, see Matthew 15:14. The other apostles
that? No, because Christ warns us in a similar did that as well. The more they were ordered
way: “Beware of false prophets, which come to not to preach in the name of Jesus, the more
you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are they did exactly that. Because “there is no other
ravening wolves.” Matt 7:15 name under heaven given among men, whereby
we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.
How was Paul being sidelined?
Just read about it in Acts 24:5. He was called 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected
a pest by the Jews, who accused him of always in a good thing, and not only when I
bringing the entire nation, even the entire world am present with you.
into turmoil. He was alleged to have been the
instigator of a sect of the Nazarenes. It was a It will have been very difficult for Paul to persuade

very ignoble list of charges that were directed at the Galatians.

the apostle: troublemaking, slandering, ruining There was a major problem: he was not

the Jewish social order, abolishing the Ten physically present with them at the time. But

Commandments, destroying the temple service, what they did have was his doctrine, which they

causing insurrection, stirring up quarrels, and were asked to preserve with great care. That

creating resentment … is why Paul now calls upon the Galatians to be

zealous themselves, even though he is not with
And he still kept right on preaching? them. What he means to say is: “If you defend
He was able to do that, but you must not think my doctrine, this will amount to as much good
that Paul was made of stone. It caused him pain as my physical presence would be.”
and grief. However, he did not lose courage, but Are you full of zeal? That is good as long as it
he remained obedient to the task which God had is a zeal that comes from the Holy Spirit. Then
assigned him. Why? He knew that the gospel you are to be praised. That is what Paul is also
“is the power of God unto salvation to everyone doing here. He reprimanded, but now he also

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pays compliments. All to achieve his primary not focused on himself, but on Christ.
goal of making them abide by the pure doctrine.
4:20 I desire to be present with you now, and
4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of
birth again until Christ be formed in you. you.

How is Christ formed in me, and what does this Why did Paul long to be among the congregation?
mean? He knows how frustrating it can be to attempt to
Here you see the portrayal of a father or mother say in a letter all that is necessary at that specific
who get a child. This child receives a body by moment. If you have to say something sensitive
means of the parents, a human shape. In a to a person, it can best be done orally. Words
spiritual sense, Paul here compares himself to a can come across too harsh or too ineffectively on
parent who gets a child. By means of his work, paper, depending on the mood of the recipient.
the soul got a shape. But if you are present yourself, you can express
much just by the tone of your voice. That is
What shape would that be, of which we are what Paul means here. He would much prefer
speaking here? to be present with them, in order to be able to
It is faith: a sincere trust which grasps hold adjust his voice to the situation. To be severe
of Christ, which follows Him and nothing and towards those who are proud and haughty, and
nobody else. Do you have this trust in your friendly towards those who are confused. Now
heart? Then Christ has been formed in you. How the apostle does not have a clear indication of
did that happen? Through the Word of God. “… how to proceed. He is in doubt as to what tone
for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through he should be using.
the gospel.” 1 Cor. 4:15.
You know who brings the Word: the preacher. 4:21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the
But it is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring this law, do ye not hear the law?
Word into your heart. In this way, every preacher 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two
is a father, who begets the shape of Christ in sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a
your soul through the Word. Evidently, Paul is freewoman.

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4:23 But he who was of the bondwoman was take a wife outside of her own circle. That is
born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman why she gave her own slave girl in marriage to
was by promise. her husband. After all, God had promised her
husband a son, and she firmly believed this. And
The history of Ishmael and Isaac is recorded in perhaps God did not want to use her for that,
Genesis. Why then does Paul make reference but Hagar instead. “And Sarai said unto Abram,
to the law in verse 21? Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from
It was customary for the Jews to collectively bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may
refer to the five books of Moses, including be that I may obtain children by her.” Genesis
Genesis, as the law. Paul is doing that here 16:2.
as well. Because, you are right, the following
verses are “only” about the story of the two sons Was that not the voice of unbelief?
of Abraham; it is not about the law at all. You could also see it as the sincerest form of
humility. She put her own interest aside because
There must have been some good reason to she knew that God could not have lied. A child
mention the two boys here. would arrive, of that she was certain. Therefore,
Paul did indeed have a good reason for doing this was her solution. Ishmael was born, but
this. You must realize that he is speaking here what preceded this? The word of a mere human.
about those people who wanted to be saved Therefore, Ishmael was only a son of Abraham
through the law. according to the flesh.
In their opinion, it was a great benefit that they It was so different with Isaac. He was born after
were descendants of Abraham. Now Paul subtly God had given a promise. He was a child of
points out to them that Abraham had not just promise. That is also how it is now, Paul says.
one, but two sons. Not all the sons of Abraham are actually his
children of promise. That also applies today.
What was the difference between these two
Not all Christians are true Christians. You are a
boys?
spiritual child of Abraham only if you believe the
It was about the promise. Ishmael was born
promise of God.
because Sarah was afraid that Abraham would

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4:24 Which things are an allegory … and is in bondage with her children.

Is Paul not attempting a form of eisegesis here? Hagar as Sinai, I do not fully understand that!
That would have been true if he used this It helps to know that in Arabic mount Sinai
allegory only to explain the doctrine of bears the same name as the slave girl Hagar.
justification. However, he had already clearly Therefore, it is not so strange that Paul compares
explained this. You could compare what Paul is these two. But the spiritual conclusion which
doing here to the building of a house. He has Paul draws from it is most instructive. Hagar
already built a respectable and sturdy structure. was a slave: she had to abide by the rules and
He now adorns this house using the example of she had no freedom. She presented a son to
Ishmael and Isaac. Just see this example as an Abraham, who is here a type of God. But this
illustration. was not a son of a free person, but of a slave.

But what does this have to do with Mount Sinai?

The last verses of this chapter are about the God gave the law to Israel on this mount. You
two sons of Abraham. In the words of Luther, could say that was where God obtained people
this portion is an adornment of the doctrine who were under the law. A people without
of justification. Because this has all been promises, a population of slaves. No Christ, no
dealt with in previous chapters, the following grace. It was all: “Whoever does that, shall have
will be only a very brief summary of the rest life by doing it”, see Leviticus 18:5.
of this chapter. You can find the original text Here Paul says: if you want to live by fulfilling the
on pages 347 to 369.
law, that will never happen because there is not
a person who can keep the law perfectly. Hagar
did not place a son of promise in this world.
4:24 … for these are the two covenants; the
one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth Why is Hagar also Jerusalem? You would expect
to bondage, which is Agar. that Sarah would be compared to that city.
4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, You are right, that would have been a logical way
and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, to picture her. But Paul chose to compare Sarah

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to the heavenly Jerusalem, rather than to the A mother bears children.
earthly city. And that makes for an apt allegory Sarah did likewise. Each time someone gets
because in the earthly Jerusalem of that day you delivered from the curse of the law through the
could then find everything that was prescribed gospel, this mother receives children. That will
in the laws. The temple, the sacrificial service, continue until the end of the world.
the kingdom, the priesthood.
True freedom cannot be found in the earthly 4:27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren

Jerusalem. Such freedom only applies to the that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou

heavenly Jerusalem. That is, therefore, why this that travailest not: for the desolate hath

earthly Jerusalem does belong with Hagar. many more children than she which hath an
husband.
4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free,
which is the mother of us all. This text contains a peculiar contrast.
Yes, and that same contrast, which you also
Is Sarah the mother of all believers? encounter in Isaiah 54:1, is in evidence between
You could express it that way. The free woman, Hagar and Sarah. Hagar has many children:
as Paul refers to Sarah here, is the spiritual there are multitudes who expect that they
Jerusalem. That is where you find true freedom. can be saved by keeping the laws. But Sarah
It is the church, containing within it all the faithful appears to be barren. Where do you still see
of the entire world. These all have the same that the church is successful? All that preaching
gospel, the same faith in Christ, the same Holy just seems to be to no avail. How frequently has
Spirit, and the same sacraments. it already been predicted that the church would
Do notice, however, that here Paul means even cease to exist?
those believers who are still on earth. He is not
including the so-called church triumphant which Fortunately, that is not going to happen.

is already in heaven. That means that, as a And that is why it says: “Be cheerful, ye barren.”

believer, you are already free on this earth. Free Do not be sorrowful, because you must know

from the law, from sin, and from spiritual death. that in the sight of God the church is fruitful. It
is exactly as Paul has repeatedly indicated: the

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enormous difference between the law and the believer, as a child of promise? Then these texts
gospel. are a great comfort to you. Just realize that this
is how it is, and that it will remain that way, but
How can I be cheerful when I notice that I am also that it is an indication that you are born of
spiritually barren? the Spirit. In addition, it is also true that the more
You are barren, and you remain that way. But the church thrives, the heavier the persecutions
here you do not need to do anything. Just listen will be. They persecuted Christ; they will also
to the text: “Rejoice, oh barren, you who do not persecute you. “The servant is not greater than
bear children.” Do you have no righteousness his master. If they have persecuted me, they
of yourself? Is there no reason in you why God will also persecute you for my name’s sake.”
should be gracious to you? Your righteousness John 15:20. But however severe persecution
is in Christ! He was made a curse; he delivers can become: it does not last forever. An end will
from the law. If you believe in Him, the law is come to this, because …
dead for you. In a spiritual sense, you are then
no longer childless and no longer barren. 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture?
Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for
4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir
children of promise. with the son of the freewoman.
4:29 But as then he that was born after the
flesh persecuted him that was born after the This must have been difficult for Abraham to do!
Spirit, even so it is now. It most certainly was difficult for him. But it
was also difficult for Ishmael and his mother.
Ishmael pursues Isaac. How must I understand Likewise, it will also be a difficult message for
that? all those who will qualify as being “a son of the
If you defend justification by faith, you must not maidservant”. Who these are? Those who are
be surprised if you receive an abundance of not justified by faith, but expect to be saved by
opposition. Most of that is from people who still keeping the laws. To all these people these text
stick to the law. In other words: from Ishmael. words will apply: “cast him or her out.”
Is that something which troubles you as a Here the Holy Spirit scornfully calls these people

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sons of a maidservant. Slaves, in other words.
That is also what you are if you do not believe.
Then you are a slave to the law.

4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children

of the bondwoman, but of the free.

The status of being free seems to be very

important to Paul.
And, so it is. As a believer, you are free from
the law, and your conscience must not be
encumbered again with all kinds of laws and
rules in the doctrine of justification, as you
have read before in this book. You must remain
constantly aware that this freedom is spiritual
freedom. Therefore, do not abuse this freedom
for bodily pleasures. On the other hand, this
also applies: let yourself never be robbed of
this precious liberty, no matter how hard the
adversaries may scream.

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Chapter 5 When can I make use of this liberty?
Whenever the wrath of God, sin, the law, the
5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty power of the devil, or the fear of hell try to make
wherewith Christ hath made us free … you afraid. Then you must not look toward all
those accusers, but to the liberty of Christ. Such
What liberty are we speaking about here? an attack often seems to last a long time, but
Not the freedom which you see all around then you must realize this: “In a little wrath I
you: freedom to do as you please. Paul is hid my face from thee for a moment; but with
speaking of spiritual liberty here; that which you everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee
experience after Christ has set you free. Then ...”, Isaiah 54:8. Furthermore, do not think too
your conscience is free and cheerful. You are lightly about this privilege of looking to Christ
freed from the compulsion, as well as of the and to His liberty. It is easier to talk and read
verdict of the law. You no longer need to be about it than it is to believe in it.
afraid of the impending wrath. This liberty is
immeasurably greater than the freedom which 5:1 … and be not entangled again with the
you might expect to find in the world. yoke of bondage.

What can I say if I do have this liberty? Is this exhortation really necessary?
That you have an assurance that God will never Not only laziness and sloth are always lurking,
again be angry with you. And that, for Christ’s but also spiritual legalism and your own version
sake, He wants to be your caring and loving of religiosity. And nothing is lost more rapidly
Father. To have the favor, the protection, and the than Christian liberty. You, therefore, have to
assistance of this highest Majesty is the ultimate “stand secure in this liberty”, otherwise, you will
deliverance to us! And this is experienced not forfeit it through the works of the law. It is not
only during this life but also when we will one without reason that Paul calls the law a yoke
day arise at the resurrection. Then this God will here. By this, he means the chains of a severe
see to it that your body will arise in immortality, form of slavery. He speaks so mockingly and
in glory, and in power; see 1 Corinthians 15:42. even disdainfully about the law here, to keep

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the congregation of Galatia away from such Why especially then?
legalism. Because Satan can present himself as being
Christ. Then he approaches you, saying: “You
5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be should not have done this or that. I had warned
circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. you and yet you did it anyway. Do realize that
I must punish you.” Do not believe him. Christ
Does enforcing circumcision actually amount to never approaches a sinner in that way. Certainly
counting out the Lord Jesus? not a dejected sinner. He is always on your side
That is entirely true. But this does not just apply as the Redeemer, who pleads for you and who
to circumcision. This incisive text applies to every comforts you. That is simply how He is, and that
teaching, every work, every type of religious is how He always will be; He cannot be untrue
activity, and to every tradition which you deem to Himself. Do not think that Christ would speak
to be necessary in order to become righteous harshly to a broken soul. “A bruised reed shall he
before God. And if this text is applicable to the not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench
law of God, would it then not apply to all kinds of ...”, Matt 12:20. Come unto me, all ye that labour
human rules and traditions as well? and are heavy laden ...”, Matt 11:28. “… I am not
come to call the righteous, but sinners …”, Matt
Must I then just throw all the traditions overboard? 9:13. So do not allow yourself to be deceived by
That is not what Paul means. He is talking that cunning devil. He has only one objective: to
about those traditions and rules on which keep you away from the real Christ.
your confidence is built. You can only obtain
justification by faith, not by works of any kind. If 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is
you still trust any work of your own toward this, circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the
you thereby rule out Christ. Then He is of no use whole law.
to you. Paul repeats it once again: keep Christ
and the law strictly separate. That is especially To fulfill the entire law would be quite an
important when you are sorrowing over your undertaking.
sins. It would be an impossible task. That is exactly

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what Paul means here. He says: “If you think in one aspect, you have to endorse him
you can be justified by being circumcised, you completely. If you consider even one such rule
are actually acting contrary to the law. In verse to be necessary towards your salvation, then
13 of the next chapter, he will explain this: “They the rest must be equally necessary. However, in
who let themselves be circumcised, do not keep this way you are stating very clearly that Christ
the law themselves.” And in chapter 3:10 he had is not needed.
already mentioned it: “… as many as are of the Whichever of these meanings you apply; both
works of the law are under the curse …”. The indicate that you can never again be justified by
more you strive to fulfill the demands of the law, keeping the law.
the more you will bring its yoke upon you. In this
way, you are trying to scrub away filth with… 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you,
more filth. whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye
are fallen from grace.
Apparently, it is senseless to attempt to live a
holy life. Does Paul here relapse to using harsh language
It is only senseless if you expect to be saved again?
in this way. Just look in the monastery. There The apostle is being very clear. First of all, to
you see monks who are doing all they can to indicate that he is not speaking of the law itself,
earn salvation. But are they free? Absolutely but he is targeting their false trust in the law as
not. The harder they work, the more their fear a means toward salvation. Also, he wants to
increases. A murderer or a harlot often dies with make it clear that it has to be one or the other:
more comfort than such a legalist. it is either the law or it is Christ. Do you think
it can be both? Then it is evident that it is not
Does Paul not indicate an element of: “If you Christ who lives in your heart, but the devil in
want to do a little towards it, you have to do it the likeness of a “christ”. Be aware that the true
all”? Christ does not assess your good deeds or evil
That is indeed the more positive approach to deeds. In justification, these do not factor in.
understanding this text. If you accept Moses

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But He surely looks at my sins? This is indeed a new addition to everything
Do not think that sins can be excused. That can which has already been stated about the Spirit
never be. And it is also wholesome to perform and about faith. Now Paul summarizes it this
good works. Yet these play no role before Christ. way: You are not only justified through the
He will never justify you because of something Spirit by faith, but you must also have a hope of
which you have or have not done. Christ does righteousness.
it because He wants to. If you do not believe
that and do not cling to Him on that basis, He is In what way can I describe hope?
worthless to you. Hope is spoken of in two ways in the Bible. The
These firm words of Paul could terrify you. But first refers objectively to that for which you hope.
they are very necessary because what we are You find an example in Colossians 1:5: “We
discussing here is: whether to hold on to Christ thank Him for the hope which is laid up for you in
or to attach yourself to a body of laws. heaven”. The second refers subjectively to hope
as an emotion, of which you read in Romans
8:24: “… but hope that is seen is not hope: for
Luther continues about the words “you have
what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for it?
fallen from grace”, directing it especially
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we
at the Roman Catholic church of his day,
with patience wait for it.”
and the pope. Luther depicts “falling from
grace” as clinging to the law as a means of
And how must I view the hope spoken of in this
salvation. You find the original text on pages
383 and 384. text?
You can interpret it both ways. According to
the first meaning: Through the Holy Spirit and
5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the based on faith, you anticipate what you are
hope of righteousness by faith. hoping for, which is your justification. Then it
concerns the hoped-for righteousness which
This is the first time we encounter the word will certainly come. According to the second
“hope” in this epistle. meaning: Through the Holy Spirit and based

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on faith, you anticipate righteousness with a though they differ in their sphere of operations,
vehement desire. Even though you have been function, contrasts, and purposes.
justified, but are not yet perfectly righteous, Sphere of operations: Faith works in the
you are longing for this. The latter is about the domain of our understanding. Hope works in the
struggle between flesh and spirit, which will domain of the will.
prevail as long as you live. You can view it as Function: Faith teaches you what you must
having a hope to become perfectly righteous. believe. Hope encourages you and stimulates
you to be valiant and to endure opposition.
Why is it important to know this hope? Contrasts: Faith is the teacher and judge who
Because it can be a great comfort for you when strives against errors and wrong perceptions.
you are being bothered by your sins. It feels as if Hope is the general in the army who fights
you are lying under the wrath of God and you will against feelings of anxiousness, impatience,
only become righteous when you are delivered sorrow, unbelief, and despair.
from all sins. However, this text tells you: “That Purpose: Faith directs itself towards the truth
will never happen during this life. Your feeling and the promises to which you must cling. Hope
of righteousness has to exceed your feeling of directs itself at the good enshrined in them: in
sinfulness. Have hope in being righteous before other words, at what is actually promised, and
God.” at the acceptance of these promises.
Because you have this hope through faith, let
your hope arise in the midst of your feelings of How does that work in practice?
sinfulness and terrors. If you seize upon Christ If you have been instructed in the Word of God
by faith, you can contend in battle against the by faith, have accepted Christ, and believe in
fiery darts of Satan. Hope will give you renewed Him with a firm trust, then you are righteous. If
strength. that is the case, then count on it that the devil
will come after you. He tries to extinguish your
What is the difference between faith and hope? faith by guile, by lies, or by force. But then hope
First of all, you need to realize that these cannot comes, which firmly grasps hold of what faith
be separated. They belong together, even has already demonstrated to you. In this way,

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you defeat the devil. When this happens, joy and to be a matter of feeling, but of anticipation or
peace in the Holy Spirit will follow. Do you see expectancy.
how closely these two spiritual activities work
together? In practice, they are almost a unity. And if I should still be carried away by my
feelings?
Luther goes into great detail about the Then put on the armor of God. “… the shield
difference between faith and hope. He clearly of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword
indicates that faith was there before hope. of the Spirit”, see Ephesians 6:16. When this
He also repeats that you are not justified by armor is in order, you will find out that you are
works or by anything else, but only through a good soldier. Take hold of Christ by faith, who
faith in Jesus Christ. You find this on pages stands above the law and above all terrors.
385 to 390. Are you troubled by strife and terrors? Then,
through the power of hope, patiently anticipate
What role do my feelings play when it comes to that righteousness which you possess by faith.
hope? Once again, not by feeling, but by believing.
Be careful not to confuse your feelings with
hope. Your feelings can say that it is all wrong That can be very difficult, especially when God
with you. That you are a sinner and are seems to be so far away.
therefore lying under the wrath of God. You feel But is He really so far away then? Do realize
that you are not justified, and you feel that you that God is nearest to you when He appears to
deserve everlasting death. But please resist be most distant. That His mercy is at its greatest,
those feelings, by saying: “Even if I feel all this, and He is most determined to be your Savior,
God teaches exactly the opposite in His Word.” when He appears to be angry, about to slay you
Because: “The LORD is nigh unto them that and to destroy you.
are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be That is also how it is with you as a believer. You
of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18. And in Psalm are rich when you are poor in yourself: “… as
51:17: “… a broken and a contrite heart, O God, having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
thou wilt not despise.” Evidently, it is not meant 2 Cor. 6:10.

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5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision faith. Do you see how Paul closes the door from
availeth anything nor uncircumcision; but both sides? Both to the right and to the left.
faith which worketh by love.
What do you mean: to the right and to the left?
Luther begins here by writing about the From the left side, people come who would
so-called Sophists. That is not surprising, still like to do something towards being saved.
since this text is about love. And as you No, Paul says: “Circumcision has no merit with
read before, these people claimed that love Christ.” And under the word “circumcision”
was a component of justification. But Luther you could include all the works which you can
claims that they are modifying Paul’s text to imagine.
suit themselves. This first portion you find on From the right side, people come who say that
page 391. there is nothing they can do towards it anyway.
No, Paul says to them: “… but faith, working
What does Paul mean by “working by love”? through love.” If you have been justified, you
This faith works by means of love. It would do not sit inactively, but you become diligent
therefore be thievery to translate the word through love.
“worketh” as “justifies”. You could say that Paul
describes love as an implement or tool, whereby Does this zeal apply to my entire demeanor?
faith works. Can a tool activate itself? Of course Absolutely. For God, it is all about faith, because
not. Likewise, love does not activate faith, but He does not need your works. And as for your
exactly the opposite happens: faith activates neighbor, it is all about your works, because
love. other people can do nothing with your faith. This
text is a code of conduct for the Christian life. It
Again, everything still seems to revolve around is not at all about justification, of which Paul has
faith. been speaking until now, because love plays no
Certainly. You really cannot be a Christian role there.
without faith. You must actively believe, as Paul
means to say here. Love must follow upon your

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5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that Did the Galatians not become disobedient to the
ye should not obey the truth? faith?
That is also why Paul is admonishing them. “Who
What am I to understand by this “running”? has hindered you from obeying the truth?” And
Simply put: it means your life, or how you live. in chapter 3 he even used the word “bewitched”.
Paul has brought the truth to the Galatians. At The people were confused. They no longer knew
first, they lived according to this truth. But that what was a lie and what was true. Everything
changed when the false apostles came. “You was messed up. Departure from the doctrine is
people were doing well, and were perfectly on a work of Satan. It is like falling from the highest
course towards everlasting life.” heaven into the deepest abyss.

Were they not running fast enough? 5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that
No, that was not the problem. Walking on calleth you.
the way towards divine life usually does not
proceed at a rapid pace. Let that comfort you if It seems as if Paul is calling them to return.
you are only doddering along on this road. It is That is indeed what he is doing. They had been
usually more of a crawl. But if it is truly the work led into a way of error, and they assumed that
of the Holy Spirit, it is still classified as running, they were following Christ in this way. But here
regardless. Be reassured, however: what seems Paul demonstrates to them that in this way they
like a snail’s pace to you, is counted as running are not following Christ, but the devil. By such
in God’s sight. How can that be? Because you arguments, Paul delivered many people from
believe in Him, in whom all is perfected. Yes, then their delusions.
you are truly a marathon runner. Whatever you This can also be a comfort for you if the devil
undertake then, it always progresses admirably. totally confuses you and says that Christ
Because the Spirit of Christ is involved. And will accuse you because of a certain sin.
who would hold back this Spirit? Then he says to you as well: “This sentiment
does not come from Him.” Because He is the
gentle, merciful, and oh so humble Savior and

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Comforter. See Christ as your gift, who died for your sins,
who has fulfilled your failings. He is “the end
Is the devil really so crafty? of the law, for the justification of everyone who
Little do you know how astutely Satan can believes”, see Romans 10:4. On the other hand,
distort the truth. Then he says: “Christ may be be sure to use Christ as a mirror when you
gentle, but that is only toward the righteous and become overly self-assured. That will keep you
the saints. But he will damn sinners. Just look in humble.
Luke 13. Besides, Christ has done much good,
but He did that as an example for you. Are you 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
successful in following His example? No, you
are a complete failure. Do you really still think Even the details are important in the Christian
He is there for you?” doctrine?
You must certainly not think that the details
How does that apply to me? do not contribute. Here Paul uses a beautiful
Comfort yourself with the truths out of God’s expression that immediately demonstrates
Word, in which you see Christ in two ways: how a slight deviation can have serious
First, He is a gift. If you have grasped Him as consequences. You do not want to fuss over a
such, then the truth is in you. “In Christ are hid minor detail? Then be careful, because before
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”, you know it, the entire doctrine will be destroyed.
Colossians 2:3. However great Christ may be, There are also examples of this in the Bible.
He has been granted to you by God. Regardless Jesus purposefully stated: “The light of the body
of whether you have done many or great sins. If is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy
you believe in Him, all these sins are swallowed whole body also is full of light …“, Luke 11:34.
up in His righteousness. And two verses later He said: “If your body has
Second, He is an example. But during a not a hint of darkness in it, then the whole shall
difficult time, you will derive no comfort from be full of light.” Luke 11:36. Even the slightest
this exemplary Christ. Then you only see stain can already remove the soundness of your
shortcomings in yourself. Are you in trouble? doctrine. James also says: “… whosoever shall

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keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, faith since this is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. That is
he is guilty of all.” James 2:10. why Paul dares to trust the Galatians, but then
he does so in the Lord. In other words: to the
extent that they are in the Lord. In this manner,
In explaining this text, Luther alludes to
you may believe and trust people.
his adversaries, who agreed with him on
all points except that of Christ’s physical
5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach
presence at the Lord’s Supper. Based on this
circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?
text, he says he will never cede this point,
then is the offence of the cross ceased.
even if he gets accused of working without
love. You find this on pages 394 to 397.
Paul seems to find it beneficial for there to be
remaining offenses.
5:10 I have confidence in you through the It would truly be unfitting and even ignoble for
Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: there to no longer be any offenses. That might
but he that troubleth you shall bear his sound strange, but as a Christian, you must
judgment, whosoever he be. be prepared to endure this. The wrath and the
hatred of the world will overwhelm you. That
May you trust people? Does the Bible not warn is what Paul had experienced. He voluntarily
against that? exposed himself to the dangers.
There are two types of trust: one out of faith
and one out of love. Faith trusts in God and Did that not grieve him, all that hatred
can never disappoint. Love trusts people, and surrounding him?
therefore often leads to letdowns. Yet this latter Not while he saw the Church growing, which
form of trust is still important to have in our daily grows and blossoms most when it is being
lives. How would you be able to live with each persecuted. Because, Christ must “rule in the
other if you could not trust each other a little? midst of His enemies”, see Psalm 110:2. Be
If you are a Christian, this trust also has a deeper wary, Paul is indicating, if there is only peace
meaning. You will trust people more readily by and love at the places where the gospel is being

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brought. That is the clearest sign that the Word curse people? Yes, but only when it concerns
is not being presented in its purity. the honor of God and His Word. Then you may
reverse the roles. ”Do you curse God? Then you
You would expect it to be the other way around. yourself are cursed instead.” You have to realize
That is logical indeed. The proclamation of the that without Him and his Word there is no hope
gospel always brings unrest, confusion, and left.
vexation with it. You could see it this way: God
puts on the mask of the devil, and the devil puts 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto
on the mask of God. And God wants you to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion
recognize Him under the mask of the devil, and to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
He wants you to reject the devil under the mask
of God. We just spoke of liberty a while ago. How am I to
Nothing irritates the devil more than the preaching understand that same word here now?
of the gospel. Because that is the means through It is the liberty that you receive from Christ. In
which he loses his mask, and has to appear as Him, you stand above the law. You are saved
he really is. Therefore, it is impossible to arouse and rescued, and Christ has become your life.
exasperation or persecution wherever the pure No law, sin, or death can injure you any longer
gospel is preached. or bring you to despair. That is your glorious and
inexpressible liberty.
5:12 I would they were even cut off which
trouble you. Evidently, a person must not misuse this liberty.
You have understood that correctly. But that
Is it not terrible to say this of people? is easier said than done. The flesh (your old
Paul is probably alluding to circumcision here. nature) understands absolutely nothing about
The false apostles tried to make the Galatians the spiritual life. If it hears something about
believe that they had to be circumcised in liberty, it immediately begins to misuse it by
order to be saved. Therefore, he says: “I would saying: “If you are without law anyway, then
they were even cut off …” Are you allowed to just live pleasurably any way you wish. What

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difference does it make? There is no law to tie they are servants. Spiritually free indeed, but
you down anyway.” not bodily. You must gladly serve your neighbor
Therefore, be careful that you do not transpose as much as you are able to, perform your duties,
the liberty of the spirit into the liberty of the flesh. and do your best in every way. You may not bail
You can see around you that this is happening out of this duty, even if you are spiritually free of
very often. Many people speak eloquently about the law.
Christian liberty, but meanwhile, they live as
they please. 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
Perhaps it may be better to not be too conscious thyself.
of that liberty.
There is indeed a great danger involved. The What does it mean to love those around you?
more you are aware of living in that liberty, the Do you see what Paul is doing here? He first
more likely you are to become lax about it. You laid the foundation: Jesus Christ and His
begin to live more at ease. You do not read the righteousness. Now he continues to build on
Word as attentively as before. You pray less, this and he begins to discuss good works. In
and you are less willing to endure wrongs. For doing so, he employs an ancient commandment
that reason, it is better for you that Satan does from the Old Testament: “… thou shalt love thy
not rest but continues to attack you. And that you neighbor…”, Lev 19:18. True love originates
sometimes receive painful criticism from people from faith in Christ. Love is as a servant, which
around you. Otherwise, you would in short order is always focused on the other person. As a
become lazy and unsuited to doing good works. Christian, you ought to love other people with
Then you would only care about the things of your mouth, heart, and hands. And not only
this secular life. insofar as possible, but with all you have and
hold.
Is that why I must love and serve other people?
With this rule of life, the apostle Paul tried to That is not so easy.
remind the Galatians that during this present life Even worse: Everything in you fights against

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this. There are still remnants of sin which chase characters, and their ingratitude. Be cheerfully
you away from doing good works. Rather than obedient to your parents and others who are
following the Word, your mind would determine set over you. Be kind to other members of your
for itself who God is. It would also rather perform household, even if they are unbearable …
the good works as accomplishments, instead of
out of Christian freedom. Loving each other is How do I learn to do all this?
so difficult … By looking at your own heart and discovering
Do you know what is so strange? You can make how you love yourself. You surely do not need
yourself so excited about a petty issue. But to consult a book to discover what you stand
yet it does not bother you half as much when in need of yourself when difficulties overwhelm
you neglect to put love into practice. And that you: Your primary need will be for affection,
occurs so often! God does not demand of you from humans as well as from other creatures.
to be perfect in a host of stipulations. He asks The nicest and clearest book of rules about love
this of you: to believe in Christ, who was sent is your heart. Because: “Love your neighbor as
by God. Then you are perfect in Him and have yourself.”
everything. The short command: “thou shalt love Have a look at those around you once. Are they
thy neighbor as thyself” is a summary. Try to not similarly pleasant, kind, useful, friendly, and
uphold this, and you will have kept all the laws. necessary creatures, much like you are? As a
human, you stand in need of other people; you
Can you make the concept of loving my neighbor cannot do without them.
more clear?
Do you want examples? Give guidance to How come there is so much hatred in the world
someone who is going astray. Comfort someone then?
who is sorrowing. Encourage someone who That is the work of the devil. It is his specialty
is weak. Assist your fellow man with tasks, to arouse anger in you towards another person.
resources, words, etc. Bear cheerfully with He whispers into your ear that this or that person
another person’s awkward behavior. Be patient has done something which you do not consider
with people’s lack of manners, their difficult to be very amusing. And gone is all your courtesy

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and friendliness. You no longer see that person 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another,
as a fellow being for whom you are to be kind, take heed that ye be not consumed one of
but as an enemy who you hate. another.

Some people have only themselves to blame if What is it to bite and devour each other?
others develop an aversion toward them. If you cannot agree on the doctrine. Then a
And does that mean that they are suddenly rift develops which produces more and more
not human any longer? As long as a creature divisions as a result. One person says this,
bears our human nature, the command of another says that. You bite and devour when
love applies to you. Jesus explained this very you adamantly stick to your viewpoint, and you
clearly in Luke 10, in the parable of the merciful judge and condemn each other. In mathematics
Samaritan. Overcome the evil with the good, there are fractions that recur endlessly. That is
otherwise, your love is not the one mentioned in also how it is in the church. Once the spirit of
1 Corinthians 13:7: “It veils (conceals) all things, unity is disrupted, new groups will continually
it believes all things, it hopes all things, it puts spring up.
up with all things.”
Alas, it is so often different. Is it not true that How must I associate with others?
you magnify that one stain of someone to whom Do not utter negative comments regarding the
you are less well-disposed, while you no longer lifestyle or work of another person. Respect
see the good points of that person? Then you each other. Do not care about who is socially
begrudge that person his good reputation, and esteemed. In faith, everyone is equal before
you become verbally abusive too. Something God. Whether you are an office bearer or a
like: that cross-eyed person. Or: the one with catechumen, it makes no difference. In both
the big nose. cases, God loves you, if you are included in
The command to love is a short command when the faith of Christ. Of course, there are outward
it comes to the number of words, but in practice differences, but in the Spirit, you are one. There
it is broader, longer, deeper, and higher than the is also no partiality towards any person with
entire world. Christ, see Romans 2:11.

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 4:10: “… not that we loved God, but that he loved
Luther here mentions the monks and nuns, us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for
who considered themselves to be superior to our sins.” So, love originates with Christ. How
others, according to him. He attributed this to can you love by faith? By walking in the Spirit,
the many works these people did. However, as Paul commands here. Follow the voice of the
he calls these sanctimonious and whimsical Spirit and strive against the voice of the flesh.
duties which they had created themselves. That is why Paul emphatically adds: “And do not
You find the original text on page 409.
gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and What are the desires of the flesh?
ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. These are not just the coarse lusts associated
with the sexual realm. It is true that these can
Has Paul not made this point before? be very troublesome. Which man does not
The apostle deliberately returns to this. He does have to admit that he is often more critical
not want to create the impression that the law toward his own wife than toward another, who
can be fulfilled by love. Therefore, he states secretly pleases him better? Everything which is
with emphasis: “Walk in the Spirit.” To become forbidden territory is interesting, right?
righteous through love will never work because However, Paul means more with these words.
you cannot produce the perfect love which It covers all sinful lusts which trouble you as
the law demands of you. Therefore, you need a Christian. Haughtiness, hatred, miserliness,
Christ’s righteousness. And you can only receive impatience, idolatry, unbelief, despair, despising
this by faith. In this way, Paul again returns to of God …
what he had already explained before.
Apparently, I cannot escape sin. What must I
But love is definitely something beautiful. do?
If you could truly love God and your neighbor as One thing is certain: killing your body is not a
God intended, you would have been righteous solution. What Paul means is: keep your body
and holy by this means. But John says in 1 John in subjection to your conscience. Killing yourself

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is not the way of the Lord, because He wants nonetheless. Because it is always there. That
the earth to remain in existence until the day is why, as a Christian, you must always cling
of judgment. For that purpose, there have to to Christ, to have Him be your righteousness.
be people as well. Your body must continue to If this battle overtakes you when you have no
exist, and sin continues along with it. When you defenses left, then three things still remain: faith,
notice the evil of the flesh, then acknowledge hope, and love, see 1 Corinthians 13:13. Strive
that you are sin incarnate. When you notice the to put that into practice. Those who believe in
spiritual to be present in you, then acknowledge Christ, will not go lost.
that you are righteous. And know this as well: Be righteous, also in externals. Because it is
your righteousness in Christ is greater than your always your flesh that initiates the war. Resist
sins. the urge to do evil things. Through the Spirit,
strive against these wrong inclinations.
5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh: and these That is so difficult to put into practice.
are contrary the one to the other: so that ye Do not despair when you notice that this struggle
cannot do the things that ye would. always returns again. That your evil inclinations
surface again and even threaten to gain the
Who is Paul saying this to? victory. Paul also knew this: “I see another law
He is writing this to believers, those who believe in my members, warring against the law of my
in Christ, who are baptized and justified. Thereby mind”, Rom 7:23.
you see that as a Christian you need to put up a Just say: “I am a sinner, and feel my sins
fight that does not stop during this life. Paul has because I am still in this body. However, I wish
also experienced this himself: “but I am carnal, to obey the Spirit and not my flesh. I wish to
sold under sin.” Rom 7:14. And: “O wretched seize upon Christ in faith and in hope and to
man that I am!” Rom 7:24. become established through His Word. Only in
that way will I be able to conquer.” You must not
Such a constant battle is not a pleasant prospect. think that you can achieve this by yourself.
Perhaps not, but you might as well expect it,

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Not even if I make a solemn promise? flesh into Spirit.
No, not even then. Someone once said: “I
have promised God a thousand times that I If I still sin as a Christian, surely these sins must
would become pious, but I have never kept my not be so bad?
promise. I will never again make such promises Do not think like that. Every sin truly is sin, even
because I now know with certainty that I will not if you commit these as a believer. And every sin
keep them anyway. If God, being reconciled to is also deadly. It is only thanks to your Deliverer
me and gracious for Christ’s sake, will not grant Who has paid for your sins through His death,
me a beatific time as I depart from this miserable that these are not deadly for you as a true
life, I will not be able to exist with my solemn Christian.
promises and my good works.” Are you not in Christ? Then all sin is fatal for
You must not think that this is a sinful you. That even applies to your good works. “…
skepticism. It is a pious, holy suspicion of one’s whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23.
self-righteousness. David also said it: “If thou,
LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not
shall stand?” Ps 130:3. Therefore, do not give under the law.
up, but seek your righteousness in Christ. Then
temptations are even beneficial. To be troubled by sins, and yet not be under the
dominion of the law: how can that be?
What good can temptations possibly do me? To be led by the Spirit means that you do not
When you again notice an inclination toward want sins to prevail. You want the Spirit to lead
sinning arising in you, and that awareness you, but sinful inclinations are sometimes so
brings you to Christ, then that can only be a intense. And yet this means that you are not
positive thing, right? At such a moment you long under the dominion of the law. In Romans 7:25
for forgiveness far more than if you had not had Paul expresses it this way: “By the mind, I serve
this temptation. Do you see how wonderfully the law of God.” This means that because you
peculiar a Christian is? He is able to turn sorrow are led by the Spirit, you are not a servant to sin.
into joy, terror into comfort, death into life, and Only with your body do you serve sins, against

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your will.
Luther also mentions the holiness of the
church, as stated in the confession of faith.
Satan often tells me otherwise.
Because this was discussed before, we
Just ignore what he says. Of course, he will
have skipped it. You find the original text on
magnify your sins and you will feel that you are page 431.
a sinner. But do not judge this by your feelings.
Seize upon this word of Paul: “But if ye be led of
the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” Cling to this 5:19 … Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,

and you will have the best possible protection lasciviousness,

against the arrows with which Satan wants to 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,

strike you. If you lose sight of this word, there is emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies

no counsel or relief left to you. …

5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, Wow, that is quite a list of evils!

which are … Do you think so? These are only a few

samplings. Paul could have listed many more.

A tree is known by its fruits? He begins with sexual sins. Would these have

Precisely: that is what Paul, but also what Christ to be explained? You will no doubt be aware of

means. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Matt. these, and perhaps even recognize them.

7:16. You can see whether people are led by the

Spirit or by the flesh simply by how they live. The Most of these are indeed quite self-explanatory.

apostle states this deliberately because there But what does Paul mean here by idolatry,

were many hypocrites among the Galatians, witchcraft, and heresies?

who claimed to be pious, but meanwhile did as Idolatry: Anything you do in religion without

they themselves pleased. He publicly told them God is idolatry. Any of the means by which you

what kind of acts they are guilty of. would desire to glorify God is wrong if this is
done outside of His Word and His command.

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The better these methods appear, the more the soul, and the will.
dangerous they are. You just said that these
other things were clear to you. And that is 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
correct. But idolatry is so entrenched that you revellings, and such like: of the which I tell
can only recognize it if you believe in Christ. you before, as I have also told you in time
Only then will you see it for what it is. By the past, that they which do such things shall
way, do you notice the three areas in which not inherit the kingdom of God.
all these sins occur? The realm of inordinate
desires (adultery, harlotry, etc.). The realm of Am I not allowed to enjoy a delicious meal?
one’s temper (arguing, provocative conduct, Of course, you are. Paul is referring to gluttony
murder, etc.). Finally, the intellect (following and over-imbibing here. If you partake of that,
wrong teachings, holding erroneous religious you can safely assume that you are not spiritual.
views, superstition, idolatry, etc.). You are submitting entirely to the lusts of your
Witchcraft: You might call this magic. Idolatry is flesh. Hear the terrible verdict: You will not enter
actually spiritual sorcery. If you are guilty of that, the Kingdom of God. Yes, that is hard. But also
you are trying to magically transform God into vitally important, if you claim to be spiritual and
something or someone as you think He ought meanwhile repeatedly drink excessively. Paul
to be. He has to save you. Not by grace, but wants to terrify you here, hoping that by the
because you have accomplished this or that. power of the Holy Spirit you will begin to fight
But do realize: if this is how you live, you are not against these sins.
enchanting God but yourself.
Heresies: One person considers himself 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
superior to others, and separates himself. peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
Schisms develop, and everything falls apart. faith, meekness, temperance …
This happens in society, but also in the church.
How different it is among true Christians. There Explain all these fruits of the Spirit once.
everything is true unity: the Word, faith, worship You have said correctly that these are fruits,
services, the sacraments, Christ, God, the heart, since Paul does not call these works of the

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Spirit, but fruits. That is an exalted and beautiful of difficulties, all kinds of evil, and to bear
term for these benefits. Here is what these terms injustice. But not only that: you also trust there
mean: will be an improvement in those persons who do
Love: It would be enough if we mentioned only this to you. Be careful, because the devil knows
this one because love is also present in all the how vulnerable you are. He will always keep at
other fruits. “Charity suffereth long, and is kind it until you give up. Then you need a very deep
…”, 1 Corinthians 13:4. It is still good to mention breath in order to remain patient.
love first, and also separately, however. Love Gentleness: You can also call this friendliness.
each other, esteem the other person higher than To be helpful and of a tender nature in
yourself, and serve one another. And all that is everything you do. As a Christian, do not be
done for Jesus’ sake. a crude and unpleasant person. You ought to
Joy: Imagine a discussion between a bride be exceptionally humane, approachable, and
and a groom. What a joy! Similarly, Christ is friendly; a person who is a delight to associate
the spiritual bridegroom. Rejoice with giving of with. Do not enlarge the oversights of others,
praise, thanksgiving, and cheerful hymns. Christ and be ready to make way for other people to
did not come to make us sorrowful, but glad. You succeed. Be tolerant of people who conduct
can find numerous places in the Bible where this themselves in a somewhat peculiar manner.
is mentioned. To name one: “Rejoice in the Lord Friendliness is one of the greatest virtues in this
always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians life. Look at Christ, how He conducted Himself.
4:4. Be joyful because you may know that Christ Goodness: Help to sustain those in need by
is your Deliverer. You may also rejoice because donating or lending them something.
His gospel continues to be dispersed. Faith: Do not confuse this with faith in Christ.
Peace: First of all, this refers to peace with God. This is about faith among people. You could
But secondly, with those around us as well. One also call this loyalty, honesty, and uprightness. It
thing is very significant towards this enjoyment, is like the love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:7:
and Paul mentions this directly afterward: “Love believes all things.” With this faith, you are
patience. not suspicious about people. You are honest,
Patience: This enables you to endure all kinds even if you are being cheated, and when people

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put your confidence in them to the test. In short, 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified
you believe everyone, but you trust no one. the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Because you may only trust God.
Meekness: If you have this fruit, you are not How do I crucify my flesh?
easily angered, but you remain relaxed and If you belong to Christ, you will no longer
calm. concede to your weaknesses and your sinful
Temperance: Know how to control yourself, lusts. The more you have crucified this old
in every situation of life. Be sober and chaste. nature, the fewer sins you will fall prey to. If that
This is not just about sexuality, but also about still does happen, you do not yet sufficiently
drunkenness and other ways in which you fear and admire God. Beware: the inclination
overindulge yourself. of becoming angry, hot-tempered, unchaste,
or impatient will probably remain. But you no
5:23: against such there is no law. longer play along with these.

Does the law not demand all those things which How can I best equip myself in defense against
we have just read? these tendencies?
“To the righteous, no law is given”, see 1 Timothy Again: by living in the Spirit, as Paul already
1:9. As a Christian, you surely do not bear the wrote in verse 16 above. You let yourself be
above-mentioned fruits simply because you persuaded by God that His terrible threats
have to? It is a voluntary service! The law will, against sins are true. And you let yourself be
naturally, try to make you believe that you must guided by His Word, by faith, and by prayer. In
do it of necessity, but Christ drives away the law. this way you crucify the carnal tendencies so
Believe this: the law has expired for you. It has that these cannot do as they want anymore.
no right to complain because you do everything You bind them by their hands and feet, so to
voluntarily. You fulfill the law inwardly, by faith. speak. You do need the armor of Ephesians
After all, Christ is the fulfillment of the law to 6, however. Faith, hope, and the sword of the
righteousness for everyone who believes. Spirit; with these three spikes, you fasten the
flesh to the cross. Perhaps reluctantly, but it will

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be subjected to the Spirit. When you die, the I may not even go fishing for compliments?
moment has arrived when you dispense with How could you claim to live for God’s glory, if
the flesh entirely. In order to receive a body at you ask to be glorified by people? Besides, this
the resurrection which is totally pure. is not even very clever. People are deceitful,
and your honor can vanish like a vapor. If you
5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in honor a person as a person, you are lying.
the Spirit. There is nothing praiseworthy in humans; it is
all included under the judgment. This is your
How can I notice whether or not I am living by praise: “All have sinned”, see Romans 3:23.
the Spirit? Just realize that before God you are worthy of
The Spirit renews you and grants you a new everlasting death. It is something different if you
disposition. Were you keen on praise, hot- honor an office-bearer because of his office.
tempered, and jealous? He makes you humble, You are under obligation to do that.
patient, and affectionate. Then you no longer
look for your own honor, but for the honor of 5:26 … provoking one another, envying one
God. another.
Luther proceeds by pointing to people who
pretend to live by the Spirit but are not really Is that what happens when people strive for
believers. He especially focuses on those attention?
who claim to be called of God to preach. You have judged correctly. If you ask for the
He also discusses the high regard owed to honor, you are obviously longing for it. If this is
preachers, and how they must deal with this denied to you, then you get angry. Is that not
honor. Because the reformer considers it a logical enough? The same applies to people
likely danger that you become haughty if you who want to introduce a different doctrine into
are praised for who you are in Christ. You the church. If you do not believe them, and you
find this portion on pages 444 to 445.
abide by the truth instead, they will despise you.
That is what Paul is warning against here.
5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory …

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Chapter 6 own flesh, even while they really did not want
that. It is as stated in Leviticus: “So the people
6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, are inclined toward sinning”. This text then
ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in becomes a comfort for you as a Christian.
the spirit of meekness …
How must I relate to a person who sins out of
Must I just turn a blind eye to the sins of other weakness?
people? Do not make him or her even more sorrowful by
That is not what Paul means here. Forgiveness reacting fiercely, or by rejecting such a person.
applies toward those people who are weak in Do you see a Christian stumbling? Reach out
their faith and in their behavior, who know their your hand to them, comfort them with kind
offenses, and who look for forgiveness. It does words and embrace them as a mother would do
not ask you to condone everything. Especially to a child.
not when people are attempting to pervert the Instead you should be severe with people
gospel. Such error must be rebuked, even if they who lead a licentious, extravagant, frivolous,
reproach you by saying that you are jeopardizing loose, careless, obnoxious, immoral life. Also,
the unity of the church. Better to have the true with those who give offence and who persist
doctrine without unity, than to have unity without in their sins in spite of every effort toward their
true faith. amendment. But you must treat people who fell
due to a moment of weakness with compassion
Is this about errors that God’s children are also and gentleness. Help them back up and give
prone to? them guidance. And do all that in the spirit of
In this text, you do not encounter any terms meekness.
such as sins or deceptive teachings. Instead, At the beginning of this chapter, Luther
it speaks of mistakes that people make out of defends himself against the so-called
human weakness. That is why it says: “if a man Sacramentarians who claimed that Luther
is overtaken …”. If that happens, it means that did not live according to this text because he
the person was tempted by the devil or by their brought discord into the church.

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 love one another. “A new commandment I give
The German reformer fiercely denied this.
unto you, that ye love one another …”, John
You find the original text on pages 458 to
13:34. And right afterward: “By this shall all men
459.
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another.”
6:1 … considering thyself, lest thou also be
tempted. I understand love to mean being good towards
others.
How great is the danger that I fall into the same This text informs you that it is something very
sins which I see in others? different. Love is carrying the burdens for
Extremely great. Augustine says that there is someone else. And a burden is something
not a sin which you would not be able to commit. you would rather not have on your back. As a
You are poised on a slippery surface, and you Christian, you need to have broad shoulders
can go head over heels at any moment. So, Paul and strong bones. Love does not subsist by
gives this warning with good reason. Do not be receiving, but by giving. To suffer along with
severe when you see someone else stumble another person also includes suffering the person
morally. Tomorrow it could be you. You certainly himself, including whatever shortcomings that
must not measure your own sanctification by person has.
the sins of others. First ponder your own sins, There are limits. If there are people who want to
before you accost someone else about a sin. destroy the congregation of Christ, it is certainly
not expected that you bear their evil burden with
6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so them. The Kingdom of Christ is not protected
fulfil the law of Christ. by love, but by His Word. Anything which runs
counter to that, you must neither bear nor
To be honest, bearing my own burden is more tolerate. You must strive against it.
than enough already.
Even then, Paul here encourages you to also 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something,
add the difficulties of the other person to your when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
own. Do you know what the law of Christ is? To

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What kind of people are they, who consider Here Luther first addresses the church
themselves to be something? offices, especially that of a preacher. He
You are such a person if you are always hard and describes how, at that time, so-called
ruthless. Then you do not bear the difficulties of preachers ascended the pulpit for their own
others, but judge their conduct instead. Using glory. You find this portion on pages 453 to
your own measuring stick, of course. Nobody 455.
does anything right, except you. And if people
do not dance to your tune, then you despise What else does Paul mean with the word “work”?
them. Your daily activities. Whether you go to school
If that is how you live, you consider yourself to be or have a job; you must be dependable and
something. You act as though you understand diligent in what you do. Do not become too
the mind of the Spirit and have a monopoly on distracted by things outside of your daily
the truth. You have no more need for forgiveness activities. You will experience satisfaction if you
of sins, and you are totally incapable of falling. do what is required of you. Do not expect praise
But be careful, because you are nothing. You from people, because that is not to be your goal.
might dare to think so favorably of yourself, but It pleases God if you are faithful. Do not exclude
it is not so. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, Him from your ordinary work or schoolwork
and increased with goods, and have need of either. Be content to know that what you are
nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, doing is your divine calling. That is where God
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”, wants you, and that is where you will experience
Revelation 3:17. His favor.

6:4 But let every man prove his own work, 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
and then shall he have rejoicing in himself
alone, and not in another. Why is this statement important?
Because you derive absolutely no benefit from
being lauded by others. View this text as the
foundation for the text just previous to it. When

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you are in your death-throes, you will not be became a man, He had no pillow on which to lay
helped with the approval of another person. His head. In the end, they even tore the clothes
At such a time other people cannot bear your off His body, so that He died naked between two
burden for or with you either. You will stand evildoers.
before the judgment seat of Christ all alone.
At that moment your conscience will begin to Luther expands upon the maintenance
speak. It will speak against you if you were of preachers and how Satan tries to use
oriented toward being honored by people. It poverty to still cause envy and discord in the
will speak in your favor if you have been faithful congregation. You find this on pages 460
in serving the Lord and had His honor in view. and 461.
Read the text once more … These words ought
to frighten you terribly. “You will bear your own 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
burden.” whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap.
6:6 Let him that is taught in the word
communicate unto him that teacheth in all That sounds like a threat.
good things. That is also how you must see it. Maintaining
your minister is a very serious matter. Then you
If I understand this text correctly, the congregation must not only think of providing money but also
is obligated to maintain its preacher, correct? of showing esteem. Never scoff at the servants
You have understood that correctly. During the of the Lord. Because God will not let Himself be
centuries of papal dominance, the clergy were mocked.
exceedingly rich, but ever since the Gospel has It is also clear from the Bible that the ministers
been soundly preached, preachers are also deserve their wages. “Do ye not know that they
poor. That is why this is such a wholesome text. which minister about holy things live of the things
Preachers do not need to be rich. Their Master of the temple? and they who wait at the altar
was also poor. A crib was His bed because He are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the
had no room available in the inn. When He Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel

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should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:13-14. generous to everyone. And not just once, but
time and again. Be persistent, also if someone is
6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of ungrateful once, or if he or she even speaks evil
the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth of you. Yes, that is difficult. For that reason, the
to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life apostle uses kind words in order to encourage
everlasting. you. “For in due season, we shall reap.” When
harvest season arrives, you will receive a rich
I do not understand this text at all. reward.
Paul is still speaking of providing for the
preachers. You can view this text as an 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us
admonition to take that task seriously. You do good unto all men, especially unto them
need not think that you will obtain everlasting who are of the household of faith.
life because you are good toward your minister
or to anyone else. No, this is about work that Who are these members “of the household of
you perform through faith in Christ. You have faith”?
already read this clearly in chapter 3. These are your fellow Christians. Not only office
Accordingly, it is an admonishment. It is actually bearers, but also the people who sit beside you
a shame that you would need this exhortation at in the church pew, whether they seem to matter
all. It should be self-evident that you would look in society or not.
after your minister well.
6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written
6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for unto you with mine own hand.
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Why does it matter that Paul wrote this epistle
How must I understand this appeal? himself?
Whereas the previous verses examined your Thereby he demonstrates his concern for the
attitude toward your preacher, we now turn to congregation of Galatia. He had not written any
discuss good conduct in general. You must be previous epistles himself. Someone else always

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did that. He would dictate it, and another person you circumcised, that they may glory in your
would write it down. Then Paul would add a flesh.
greeting below this himself, as you can see in
his other epistles. But in this case, he wrote Do Paul’s sharp words only apply to
the entire epistle himself. That does indicate circumcision?
how important Paul considered the situation If you do something outside of Christ, you are not
in Galatia to be. That also explains why the keeping the law. Yes, that also applies to your
apostle still directs some pointed words at the prayers, your Bible reading, and to other spiritual
false apostles in the congregation. obligations. “… whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
Romans 14:23. As long as you trust in yourself
6:12 As many as desire to make a fair and are proud of your self-righteousness, it is
shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be all to no avail. Worse yet: if you live like that,
circumcised; only lest they should suffer you are sinning against the first table of the law.
persecution for the cross of Christ. By extension, these sins involve sinning against
the second table of the law as well.
Is this about those false apostles again? Paul has nothing good to say about the false
Of course. These people were trying to please apostles. He knows that they are only interested
the Jews at Jerusalem by meeting their in self-aggrandizement. There is nothing
demands, pressuring others to be circumcised. spiritual about them; everything is mundane and
But their ultimate objective was really to be physical.
honored themselves, and especially that they
would not have to suffer too much. If you live 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save
that way, you will always seek the path of least in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ …
resistance, and hope to find peace and quiet by
such means. But then you are vilifying Christ. As a Christian, what are you allowed to truly
glory in?
6:13 For neither they themselves who are In what Paul mentions here: the cross of Christ.
circumcised keep the law; but desire to have He says the same in Romans 5:3. “… but we

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glory in tribulations also.” And in 2 Corinthians toucheth you toucheth the apple of God’s eye.”
12:9: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in Zechariah 2:8. For example: If your finger is
my infirmities …”. In short, remain cheerful and painful, you will contort your face. In a similar
positive when everything seems to go wrong. fashion, as head of His congregation, Christ
Yes, you must even do so when persecutions makes all your pain His own.
arise.
Needless to say, then it is important for your That is a great comfort, indeed!
glorying to be genuine. And it will be if you are It certainly is. Therefore, do not be too distressed
certain that the doctrine you adhere to is the pure when things go wrong. Glory in the cross of
doctrine, and that your cross and suffering are Christ. You are not suffering because of your
the cross and suffering of Christ. Are you being sins, but for Christ’s sake. If you only perceive
oppressed and teased? Be glad! The world it as being “my suffering”, then it is unbearable.
might despise you, but Christ declares you to But if it is understood as being “Thy suffering”, it
be divinely blessed. “Blessed are ye, when men can even be celebrated as a privilege. “For my
shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew
say all manner of evil against you falsely, for 11:30.
my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad …”,
Matthew 5:11. 6:14 … by whom the world is crucified unto
me, and I unto the world.
Is Paul speaking of the wooden pole on which
the Lord Jesus hung? Was Paul also crucified?
No, he means the difficulties to which you will He could never have meant it literally because
be exposed as a Christian, for Christ’s sake. the apostle was still alive when he wrote this.
Because if you believe in Christ, then the world No, what he intends to say is that the world is
and the devil will not allow you a moment’s rest, despised by him, and he is cast off by the world.
but they will be continuously attacking you. This They crucify and condemn each other on a
applies in your daily life as well as in the spiritual reciprocal basis. By Paul’s standard, all worldly
sense. But take comfort in this: “… for he that engagements are Satan’s work: away with it.

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And the world says: away with that man Paul; Circumcision has no merit, but uncircumcision
he only creates discord. has no value either?
That also applies to you as a Christian. What you You would indeed have thought that it should
consider to be the ultimate wisdom, the world be one or the other. But Paul wants to sever
calls foolishness. And what the world considers your attachment to all such rules. In order to
to be delightful, you deem to be despicable. obtain righteousness before God, you have to
But you are right. “But the spiritual person strike higher. Do not look to earthly things when
distinguishes all things”, see 1 Corinthians 2:15. it comes to being justified; this requires divine
You need that discernment, also when the devil action. In Christ, circumcision has no merit, but
comes at you. neither does uncircumcision.

How am I supposed to withstand Satan? How does that apply in our day?
By despising him just as Paul here rejects If you substitute another requirement instead
the world. Are there fiery darts being directed of circumcision, you will have the same result.
toward you? Does he want to destroy your faith? There is something much more valuable than all
Does he try to draw you away from Christ and these different kinds of righteousness which you
the truth? Despise him, and say to him: “The might be striving towards. None of this nonsense
more damage you create, the more cheerful I about what you may or may not eat, whether or
will be. The more you try to terrify me and try to not you should be married; it is all meaningless
make me panic, the more I trust, not in myself, in regard to that righteousness which you will
but in the power of Christ, my Lord.” How that only find by faith in Christ.
is possible? “When I am very weak, then I am
exceedingly strong”, see 2 Corinthians 12:10. How do I acquire that righteousness?
Through the Holy Spirit, who brings about a
6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision complete inner change. You might suppose that
availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a a coat of paint on the outside should suffice,
new creature. but that is a lie. As a new person, you are born
anew after the image of God, in righteousness

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and truth. Those works which you perform after a blessing. If you live according to this rule, you
this, do have a new outward appearance but receive peace, the favor of God, forgiveness of
they are a fruit of the new internal life. sins, rest in your conscience, and mercy. Even if
What does the Spirit then give to you? A different you stumble and commit a sin, you will receive
mind and a different will, so that you begin to mercy. Whether you are a Jew or a gentile,
despise and eschew the world. What you once makes no difference then.
enjoyed, you now abhor.
6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me
Does a proper lifestyle not make me a true …
Christian?
Absolutely not. Although it is true that when you Is Paul now giving up?
have become a new person, your outward life This could be perceived as a bit of irritation.
will indisputably also change. This change is Something like: “I have now clearly preached
not confined to mere words, but you will also the gospel to you. If you still do not want to listen
recognize it in your actions. That constitutes the now, then just go ahead and do as you please,
new creature that Paul is talking about. but you need not bother me about it anymore.”
Paul has been clear. He preached Christ, the
6:16 And as many as walk according to this only High Priest, and Savior of the world. This
rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon also applies to you: you either live according to
the Israel of God. this rule, or you will go lost forever.

What rule of conduct are we talking about here? 6:17 … for I bear in my body the marks of the
Doubtless, this is not about any human rules, Lord Jesus.
not even about the rules and laws of Moses. It
is about what you have just read: being justified So these scars constitute the wages of this
by faith in Christ and being made into a new faithful preacher?
person through the operation of the Holy Spirit. And he is not ashamed of it either. He even
That is the only rule upon which you can expect refers to it as proof that he had been telling them

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the truth. Would Paul have been beaten if he grow in grace, and so that you will be brought to
had told people what they wanted to hear? No, everlasting bliss by the Spirit. Amen.
then they would have endured his words. But
because he was a servant of Jesus Christ and Thus far the explanation of Paul’s epistle to
clearly stated that outside of this Jesus there is the Galatians. May the Lord Jesus Christ, who
no life to be found, he was beaten. You must has given you the persistence to read all this,
not think that Paul brought these scars upon protect and encourage you. May you increase in
himself. They were caused by the devil and the the knowledge of His grace and His faithfulness.
world. May you live an irreproachable and upright life
Are you ever beaten because of your faith? until that day when God will deliver you. Glory
Then rejoice over it. Will you eventually see the and honor be to Christ, with the Father and the
scars which remain after frequent persecution? Holy Spirit to eternity. Amen. Amen.
Then consider these to be evidences of the true
doctrine and of genuine faith. Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, goodwill toward men.
6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Isaiah 40:8 … the word of our God shall stand
forever.
That is a beautiful conclusion to this epistle.
These words are almost identical to those with
which he began this epistle to the Galatians.
In this epistle, Paul has told you all that is
required. He has clearly instructed you. He has
also asked you several questions, even tackled
you roughly. He did not neglect anything which
could benefit you. What else could he do now
but heartily pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will
bless this work to your heart? So that you may

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