Backbreaking Labor
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:6 and 2 Peter 2:1-3
Series: Comments on Galatians
The airwaves and pulpits and pews are filled with people who cannot read but profess to be able to teach from the Holy Word. Making a new doctrine out of one’s own ideas — what you want the Word to say—instead of from what the Word actually says, is common. Reading in context has gone out of fashion. One phrase relies upon the entire verse, which relies upon surrounding verses, and perhaps entire paragraphs (and ultimately, both testaments) to determine the intention of both writer and Spirit. Instead, proof-texting is widespread. Thus, one may end up with the unfortunate, proof-texted doctrine of combining Matthew 27:5b and Luke 10:37b. Judas “departed, and he went and hanged himself”; “you go, and do likewise.”
Heresy in the church is as commonplace as weeds in a garden. Luther wrote, “We have to watch out for the devil lest he sow tares among the wheat while we sleep. No sooner had Paul turned his back on the churches of Galatia, than the false apostles went to work.” A good garden depends upon hoe and backbreaking, daily labor. A fruitful church depends upon the same investment in God’s Holy Word and the vigilance to correct errors quickly before they choke out the tender bloom.
Share this post
Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
Click Here For Content Archives