Gracious Patience

 

Gracious Patience

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 11:3–4

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

Paul is not addressing people who have missed a month of Sunday School. He is dealing with something more elemental: doctrine and heresy. Indeed, he is considering the most fundamental teaching of Christianity.

Jesus taught many things, such as what it really means to be blessed (Matthew 5:2–12), how to be angry (Ephesians 4:26), loving your enemies (Matthew 5:43–48), true charity (Luke 12:32–34), prayer (Matthew 6:6–13, and what to do with anxiety (Philippians 4:6–7). But the greatest teaching is that a Father’s love sent his Son to die. That gracious action on God’s part rightly relates humanity to God. The other teachings of Jesus mean little without that central doctrine.

So, Paul is incredulous that the Church would make light of God’s great gift by saying it was insufficient. Yet Paul does not blast the believers. Instead, he holds his tongue for the ones who led them astray, even pronouncing a curse upon them (Galatians 1:8). Anyone still considering this heresy after Paul assails them, deserves the same, for nothing can be, nor should be, added to God’s precious gift.

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