Galatians 1:13-14 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:13-14 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

“For you heard of my former behavior in Yah Hudayuta — how excessively I had been persecuting the congregation of God and had been desolating it. and had been abounding in Yah Hudayuta better than many sons of years having been of my own kin — excessively envying the doctrine of my fathers.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“For you heard of my former behavior in Yah Hudahism, how I excessively persecuted and ravaged the ecclesia of Elohim: and advanced in Yah Hudahism above my many contemporaries in my own genos — being more superabundantly a zealot of the traditions of my patriarchs.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

This word “conversation” in Greek is “anastrophe” and means “manner of life, conduct, or behavior.” Paul’s former manner of life was certainly tied up in religion even to the point of persecuting the body of Christ and actually wasting it.

“Persecution” here means “to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away, to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after, to pursue (in a hostile manner), in any way whatever to harass, trouble, to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something.”

And the word “wasted” is defined as “to destroy, overthrow.”

Paul was zealous for God to the point that he believed pleasing Him meant to destroy this “sect” called the “church of God.” Paul said he was “being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”

This word “zeal” is rather important. It means, “to defend and uphold a thing, vehemently contending for a thing.”

However, Paul said in Romans Chapter Ten, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

“My brothers, the will of my heart and petition toward God for them is that they live. For I witness concerning them that they have a zeal of God within — but not as to knowledge. For, not knowing of the justness of God but seeking to raise a justness by their souls: and because of this they work not the justness of God. For the summation of the torah is the Meshiah for justness to all who trust.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Brothers, indeed, the well approving of my heart and petition to Elohim for Yisra El is to their salvation. For I witness that they have a zeal of Elohim — but not according to knowledge: For, unknowing of the justness of Elohim and seeking to set their own justness, subjugate themselves not to the justness of Elohim. For Messiah is the completion/shalom of the torah to justness to everyone who trusts.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

What is the righteousness of God?

Rather we must say WHO is the righteousness of God?

“For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD!

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Why?

“That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29).

“That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31).

We have been crucified, dead, buried, made alive, raised and seated in heavenly places in union with our Lord Jesus Christ. He is now our life. He lives within us. Anything apart from this gospel is only religion and not the truth. It is only the truth which makes us free.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).

We are only free when we know the truth. We can only know the truth when we are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are only disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ when we continue in His word.

“Continue” is “meno” in Greek and it carries the meaning of “abiding, to remain, to sojourn, tarry, not to depart, to continue to be present, to be held, kept, continually, to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure, to remain as one, not to become another or different.”

But my favorite definition of this word “continue” is “to wait for, await one.” Only as we wait in His living presence and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe His breath on the scriptures set before us, do we continue to know the truth of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be cautious whom you listen to and seek after. We are in a time of great deception. However, the pure truth of Jesus and Him crucified is power enough to cut through all of the illusion and deception and present you blameless at the coming of our Lord.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24).

We are to continue in His word. This “word” in Greek is awesome! It is “a word uttered by a living voice”. Glory to God! The word of God is active and alive to us personally at this very moment. We must hear His living voice in this hour. He is speaking to us personally. We must not jump ship and give up hope. We are being led back into the deeper dimensions of the cross of Christ. There we died with Him. Then we were buried with Him. There we suffered with Him. There we were made alive with Him. There we were made righteous in Him. There we were raised with Him and seated in heavenly places. We are now joined as one spirit. Christ now lives within us as our very life. We are now filled with the Godhead- Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

“Free” here in John Eight means “to make free, set at liberty: from the dominion of sin.”

We are free from sin through our union with Christ Jesus in His death, burial, suffering and resurrection. Never forget this!

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Pause. Meditate on this. Be quiet. Christ is in you NOW. Hear the Holy hush rushing through your being? The springtime of God in your life is now permeating throughout YOUR world. Christ in you is your very life. Your life breath is Jesus Christ in you – your hope of glory. Stop the struggles and go snuggle Him who is deep within you and where the song of victory and completeness is NOW being sung over you.

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:11-12 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:11-12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Oh how sweet the sound! The true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is NOT tainted by man! Glory to God! That is good news! With so much floating around in the atmosphere today, it is nothing less than refreshing to know that the gospel of the Apostle Paul is purely heaven-sent and we can live out of its tangible reality every moment of our lives.

This word “certify” means to “have thorough knowledge of”. Paul had knowledge of the Holy God through a direct revelation from Jesus Christ Himself. Man did not give Paul His gospel. It was not from a system or organization, but directly from the Spirit of Jesus Christ to the spirit of Paul.

The word “received” is “paralambano” in the Greek and is defined as “to receive with the mind, by oral transmission: of the authors from whom the tradition proceeds, and by the instruction of teachers.” In other words, Paul did not receive his gospel through man’s traditions or teachers. He did not receive it initially through his mind, but primarily through his spirit directly from the Spirit of God!

Do you recall what Paul said in 1 Corinthians?

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:9-14).

Absolutely awesome! Today, many approach God on the level of the soul or body and expect to find Him. But the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord and God illuminates our mind, through our spirit, to reveal Christ Jesus in us. The Father of glory gives us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

Remember what Paul prayed?

“Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:15-20).

The word “taught” in Galatians 1:12 is “didask”, and it means something so enlightening I must share it with you. It is “to impart instruction or instill doctrine into one”. Paul was not indoctrinated by flesh and blood. Our Lord Jesus said to Peter,

“Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:13-19).

We read further to see Paul’s gospel was given by the divine revelation of Jesus Christ himself. We can count on this gospel. It has been tested in time and space and tried in the fire. This gospel has been found true and purer than fine gold and silver. We can stake our very lives on this good news. We can count on this word all of our days on this earth.

This word revelation is awesome! The word is “apokalupsis” in Greek, and means “laying bare, making naked, a disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning things before unknown, manifestation and appearance.” It is also “used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all.”

The Lord has revealed Himself to us through His gospel! He is no longer the hidden Lord, but open and made known to all He chooses to reveal Himself.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:7, “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This word “coming” is also “apokalupsis”! We see as we wait in the Lord’s presence, He will begin to make Himself known to us! Paul wanted above all things to know His Lord.

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Phil. 3:10-11).

“In knowing Yah Shua and the power of his resurrection and to partake in his sufferings and likened to his death — that I be able to attain to the resurrection from the house of the dead.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“To know him and the dynamis of his resurrection and the communion of his sufferings — being conformed to his death; if somehow I attain to the resurrection of the dead.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; [Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:25-28).

“Whereof I, being a minister, as to the leadership of God given to me by you
to fulfill the word of God — the mystery being concealed from eternity and from generations, and now manifested to his holy: to whom God wills to notify what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among this peoples — the Meshiah in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach and doctrinate: and that all the sons of humanity understand with all wisdom — to present all the sons of humanity when perfected in Yah Shua the Meshiah.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Whereof I became a minister, according to the administration of Elohim given to me to you to fulfill/shalam the word of Elohim— the mystery secreted from the eons and from the generations, but now manifested to his holy: to whom Elohim wills to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the goyim — Messiah in you, the hope of glory: whom we evangelize, reminding all humanity and doctrinating all humanity in all wisdom; to present all humanity completed/shalamed in Messiah Yah Shua.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

Just how do we receive Paul’s revelation? Simple.

“How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit” (Eph. 3:3-5).

“How that by apocalypse he had me know the mystery; exactly as I pre— inscribed in few words, whereto, when you read, you can comprehend my comprehension in the mystery of the Messiah; which in other generations was not known to the sons of humanity, as it is now unveiled to his holy apostles and prophets in Spirit.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

Two things stand out here. First, the Holy Spirit of the living God must reveal this mystery of Christ. Paul prayed in Ephesians, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know…” (Eph. 1:17-18a).

“That the God of our Lord Yah Shua the Meshiah, the Father of glory, give you the spirit of wisdom and manifestation in the knowledge of him: enlightening the eyes of your heart.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

This word “enlighten” is “photizo” in Greek and means “to give light, to shine, light up, illumine, to bring to light, render evident, to cause something to exist and thus come to light and become clear to all, to instruct, to inform, teach, and to give understanding to.”

Secondly, all we must do is read Paul’s revelation in the scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to this mystery of the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God will take the written word of the revelation and transform it into the revelation of the heart. Just ask Him to open your heart’s eyes right now!

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:10 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

This is an awesome revelation to the body of Christ. Today, we live in a world of political correctness. That is, no one should offend anyone else. There are no absolutes anymore. Truth is not the main cornerstone of wisdom. However, Paul was not a man pleaser.

There is a prevailing spirit of this age that seeks to bring the church into bondage. It is a man pleasing spirit. Out of insecurity this spirit will operate unless one knows who he is in Christ Jesus. We must give ourselves wholly to Christ our life.

Paul said to Timothy these words:

“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Tim. 4:15-16).

This phrase “wholly to” is rendered one of my personal favorites. “To” is “en” in the Greek denoting being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance. It is also “emanating from within, passing on to union and fellowship”.

Paul said he was not out to please men. I believe when you see the definition of this word “please” you’ll gain further insight into what the Lord is wanting to show us. It means “to accommodate one’s self to the opinions, desires, and interests of others.” It also carries with it the idea of striving to please.

But notice, if one lives his life to accommodate himself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others he ends up not being the servant of Jesus Christ! You can’t please man and God at the same time. There are times when truth cuts hard and it will divide flesh from flesh! Are we willing to pay the price for discipleship?

There is an interesting contrast I want us to see. We saw the definition of pleasing man was “to accommodate one’s self to the opinions desires and interests of others”. But I want you to notice what being a “servant” of Jesus Christ is. The Greek defines this word “servant” as “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests”.

That sums up discipleship! Being devoted to Jesus Christ to the disregard of our own interests. That is the true disciple of our Lord Jesus. Let us examine ourselves as to where we stand. Christ is now living within us. He alone has become our life. Therefore, how should we live?

The Scriptures have the glorious answer!

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).

“So if you rose with the Meshiah seek that above where the Meshiah sits — upon the right of God. Think of that above and not that of the earth. For you have died and your life is covered with the Meshiah in God. And when the Meshiah manifests — who is our life, then you also manifest with him in glory.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“So if you co—raised with the Messiah, seek those which are above, where the Messiah sits at the right of Elohim. Set your thought above — not on the earth. For you died and your life is secreted with the Messiah in Elohim. Whenever the Messiah, our life, manifests, then you also manifest with him in glory.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:8-9 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:8-9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Here we find one of the most astounding statements in all of scripture. Paul says there are other gospels that can be preached, but these would actually bring a curse upon the one proclaiming them. Even Paul said if he or an angel from heaven began preaching a gospel contrary to Christ Jesus, a curse would be on them!

Notice Paul says they not only heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ preached, but they also had received this gospel. This implies they had actually joined themselves with the truth. The word “curse” in Greek defines a fearful thing. It is “anathem” and means “a thing devoted to God without hope of being redeemed, and if an animal, to be slain; therefore a person or thing doomed to destruction.” Did you read that? Doomed to destruction! How important is it for us to remain in the centrality of Jesus Christ? You answer.

Paul deems it worthy of a repeat. “As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

Now Paul is saying there are three things to consider. These are:

1. Another Gospel
2. Another Jesus
3. Another spirit

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him]” (2 Cor. 11-4).

“For if who comes to you preaching another Yah Shua whom we are not preaching, or taking another spirit you had not taken, or another evangelism you had not taken, you be persuaded well.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

There are many different flavors of spirits, Christs, and gospels floating around out in the world today. In fact John said in 1 John 2:18, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”

Please hear what the scripture says. There are many other gospels being proclaimed in the name of the Lord, even in the camps that you would believe have the truth. There is an exposing of things by the Spirit of God in this hour. John said “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 Jn. 2:19).

These are they who will not tolerate sound doctrine. There are many today in that category. We must receive the whole counsel of God’s revelation to us in the scriptures. The Holy Ghost will illuminate the scripture and make it applicable to you personally.

What sounds like the gospel may not be. What looks like Jesus Christ may not be. What feels like the Holy Spirit may not be. Only as we abide in the truth of scripture and continually yield to the Holy Spirit do we know the truth. Don’t be deceived.

There is something else that is astounding. Paul said men would be judged according to his gospel, and that this gospel had the power to establish the believer in Christ. In fact, Paul calls this gospel “my gospel”.

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:16).

“In the day God judges what the sons of humanity conceal as to my own evangelism through the hand of Yah Shua the Meshiah.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“In the day Elohim judges the secrets of humanity through Yah Shua Messiah according to my evangelism.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Rom. 16:25-26).

“And to him who is able to establish you according to my evangelism and the preaching of Yah Shua Messiah, according to the apocalypse of the mystery having been hushed since eternal time, but now manifested; and through prophetic scriptures, according to the order of the eternal Elohim, made known to all goyim to the obedience of trust.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

We are established through Paul’s gospel, according to the scriptures. As we embrace Christ in us as our very life, then our fellowship with Him is validated to the point of pleasing God and coming to know Him intimately and personally.

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:6-7 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:6-7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

“I marvel that you are so quickly transplaced from him who called you into the charism of Messiah to another evangelism: which is not another; except that some who trouble you, will to overturn the evangelism of the Messiah.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“I marvel how quickly you are turning from the Meshiah who called you by his grace to another evangelism — which is not — except some humans having confused you who will to change the evangelism of the Meshiah.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

Here Paul marvels at the fact that the Galatian believers have quickly moved away from the Son of God, opting for another form of good news. The word “marvel” in Greek here carries the meaning “to strike with sudden and usually intense wonder or surprise.” Paul was absolutely shocked by this sudden shift from the truth in these Galatian Christians.

Removed is “metatithemi” meaning “to change, to go or pass over, and to fall away or desert from one person or thing to another”. This same Greek word is used in Jude 1:4; “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“For humanity acquired entrance — who, from the beginning were previously inscribed in this condemnation— wicked humanity turning the grace of our God into foulness and having denied the only Lord God and refusing our Lord Yah Shua the Meshiah.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“For some humans surreptitiously sneaked alongside who long ago were preinscribed to this judgment — irreverent transplacing the charism of our Elohim into lechery and denying the only Despotes Elohim and our Adonay Yah Shua Messiah.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

Notice this turning is from a person. “… denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the stain we see on today’s landscape. People everywhere are turning from Jesus Christ as the center and circumference of all life. There is a great falling away and as a result the man of sin is being revealed in the earth today. When we abandon our focus on the only sin-bearer of mankind, then the only alternative is to live in the sin, which has actually been removed by the person we have abandoned. Sin also encompasses being sin conscious. The realm of death saturates and rules the mind that is not stayed on Him.

Paul mentioned this in 2 Thessalonians 2:23 and Romans 8:6;

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”

“Be not seduced by anyone in any manner: … First comes an apostatizing and the unveiling of the human of sin — the son of destruction.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“Why does humanity deceive one from the way? Because, if not, first comes a rebellion and the manifesting of the son of humanity of sin — the son of destruction.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.”

“For the mind of the flesh is death, and the thought of the Spirit is life and shalom.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“For the thought of the flesh, is death; but the thought of the spirit, life and shalom.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

I notice here the Lord has called many and yet few are actually chosen. The calling implies a loud voice and by name. And yet, here we see a falling away from the grace of God in those who were called by our Lord. We are literally called INTO the grace of Jesus Christ. This word in Greek is one of my personal favorites. It is “en” denoting being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance. It is also “emanating from within, passing on to union and fellowship”! We are called into a living union and intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ Himself!

“God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).

“Elohim is trustworthy, through whom you were called to the fellowship, communion of his Son Yah Shua Messiah our Adonay.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

These Galatians were removing themselves from this truth. This word “from” is any kind of separation of one thing from another by which the union or fellowship of the two is destroyed. Isn’t that incredible? There was a separation of union and fellowship from our Lord Jesus Christ!

The Galatians were migrating away from the person of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself “unto another gospel”. Here the word “unto” in Greek is “eis” meaning, “into, unto, to, towards, for, and among.” There was a going into “another gospel”. We really need to break this down further for clarity. “Another” in the Greek is defined as “one not of the same nature, form, class, kind; different.” The gospel here is “good tidings.” Therefore, the Galatians were moving into a different kind of good tidings. It may look right and even feel right to move away from the centrality of Christ Jesus. However, when this happens, apostasy takes place and deception has set in. Therefore, one is no longer centralized in the Truth.

Paul states however that there is really no other gospel of the truth but Christ Himself. However, some were coming in to trouble the Galatians with a so-called different gospel. As a result of course the truth of Jesus Christ was perverted.

This word “trouble” is very interesting. It is “to perplex the mind of one by suggesting doubts”. The enemy seeks to get us to enter into the earthly realm of human and demonic reasoning and therefore doubt the complete truth of Jesus Christ. The word “trouble” also means “to stir up, to cause one inward commotion, to take away his calmness of mind, to agitate, to disquiet, make restless, to render anxious or distressed, and to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread.”

“Pervert” means “to turn around”. The enemy comes as an “angel of light” seeking to turn us ever so slightly from Christ Himself into some other form of godliness.
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:5).

“Having a manner of fear of God but far from the power thereof— who are thus, eject from you.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Having a form of reverence but denying the dynamis thereof; — from such turn away.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

“For such are pseudo apostles — deceitful workers, transfiguring themselves to the apostles of Messiah: and no marvel; for Satan transfigures himself into an angel of light. So it is not mega if his ministers also transfigure as the ministers of justness; whose completion/shalom is according to their works.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“For these have been false apostles— deceitful workers likening their souls to the apostles of the Meshiah: and have no marveling in this: for if Satan likens to an angel of light it be no great will if also his ministers liken as the ministers of justness whose finality becomes as their works.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

Many cannot bear the truth in these days. It’s no wonder because Paul said “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

“For the time being they hear not healthy doctrine — but as to their pantings they abound to soul doctors (psychologists) who excite their hearing and from the truth they turn their ear to fables and deviate.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

We are living in troubled times as you well know. However, the truth of Christ Jesus as our life can remain sure and steadfast as we choose to abide in Him through our living, intimate, and eternal fellowship with Him!

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:5 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We see from this verse that our Father is always to be worshipped in a most exalted state. How long? Forever! Forever is a long, long time. Forever is eternity. Eternity is an “endless or immeasurable time”. We need to grasp, by the Holy Spirit, the revelation that we are UNTO God – for His glory and purpose. We see from authority of scripture the preeminence of Christ Jesus in all things, therefore, should we not now live in the realm of eternity as we abide here on earth?

Paul said in Philippians 3,

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“And our own worship is in the heavens— and from there we await the Lifegiver.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“For our citizenship exists in the heavens; from whence also we await the Saviour Adonay Yah Shua Messiah.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:4 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Jesus gave Himself for what? For our sins. Paul delivered this first word in 1 Cor. 15:3;

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”

“For I shelemed to you from the first as to what I took — that the Meshiah died concerning the face of our sins — as scribed.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Gave” here in Galatians 1:4 means “to put into the possession of another for his or her use”. The Lord Jesus gave Himself for us in order to end our sinful nature and entrapment to the realm of separation from God. “For” here in Greek is “hyper” meaning “in behalf of, for the sake of”. For our sake He gave up His very spirit, soul, and body. Think about it. Just what is your mindset at this particular moment? Where does the Lord find you now? What is your heart thinking right this moment, in this season?

The giving of Himself for our sins has resulted in one awesome thing. “That He might deliver us from this present evil world.” The word deliver is “exaire” in Greek and has such an awesome meaning. ARE YOU READY FOR THIS? It means “to pluck out, draw out, root out, to choose out (for one’s self), select one person from many, to rescue, and to deliver.”

Glory to God Almighty! We were plucked out of death, hell, and the grave in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know from scripture that Jesus suffered the torment of hell and separation from His Father in order to draw us out of sin and death! Respected theologian Dr. J. Rodman Williams has echoed this same conclusion (that Jesus suffered the torment of hell) in his work “Renewal Theology”.

And, according to Isaiah chapter fifty-three, our Lord Jesus suffered for our sin penalty under the Father’s own wrath.

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4).

“Surely he bore our sicknesses and bore our sorrows: yet we machinated him plagued — smitten of Elohim and abased.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

We were rooted out of satan’s domain. Not only that, but we were predestined, chosen by God Himself before the world’s foundation, through our union with Christ. We were selected out from among the many and now have become a part of His “little flock”, about to fully posses His kingdom!

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:4-6).

“As he previously selected us in him from ere the foundation of the world, unto being holy and having no blemish before and in love, having previously engraved us to himself, placing us sons in Yah Shua the Meshiah as pleasing his will: to glorify the glory of his grace, which he poured upon us through the hand of his beloved.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Exactly as he selected us in him ere the foundation of the cosmos, to be holy and unblemished in his sight in love: having predetermined us to sonship through Yah Shua Messiah to himself, according to the well—approval of his will, to the halal of the glory of his charism, wherein he charised us in the beloved.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

We were chosen in Christ Jesus BY God and FOR God. Awesome! We were rescued from death’s dark domain and translated into the kingdom of the Son of God. In Christ Jesus we were set free from sin, death, hell, and the grave. We were handed over to God Himself for all eternity. This is where our true life is. Do you really believe this word for yourself? You alone must answer.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5)

“Examine your souls — if you stand in the trust — you — test your own souls.
Or know you not that Yah Shua the Meshiah is within you, and if not, that you be rejected?” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Test yourselves — whether you are in the trust; prove your own selves. Or know you not your own selves, how that Yah Shua Messiah is in you, except somehow you become disapproved?” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

“Who gave his soul for our sins to deliver us from this present world as to the will of God our Father.” (Aramaic New Covenant – used by permission)

“Who gave himself for our sins, to release us from this present evil eon, according to the will of Elohim and our Father.” (exeGeses parallel BIBLE – used by permission)

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:2-3 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:2-3 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace is said to be unmerited favor. In fact, grace is the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. Grace is that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, and loveliness. Good will, loving-kindness, and favor all encompass the grace the Father gives His sons and daughters. This divine grace depicts the kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian faith. The grace of God brings knowledge, affection, and kindles all true believers to the exercise of Christian virtues.

Thank God for His amazing and wonderful grace!

The Galatians were blessed with His peace. The peace that brought security, safety, prosperity, and the tranquil state of a saint assured of its salvation through Christ. This resulted in fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that was. Now that is true prosperity in the ultimate sense!

This grace and peace were from the Father and the blessed Son! We are in the Son and therefore we are abiding in His life. He alone is our life, we have no other. Scripture says Christ IS our peace. Meditate on that!

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.

Galatians 1:1 - Dr. Bill Stephenson

1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead

Paul was not a man appointed apostle, he was God appointed. This word apostle means “delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.” Man did not send Paul forth, only God. It is important to note that God the Father raised His Son Jesus Christ from the dead. The word dead here in Greek means “destitute of life, without life, inanimate, spiritually dead.” We were in union with His death, burial, suffering, and resurrection. Keep that in mind throughout your Christian life. You do not have a life anymore, it all begins and ends in God. Christ is now our very life.

“Paulaus, an apostle, not of the sons of humanity, not through the hands of the sons of humanity — but through the hands of Yah Shua the Meshiah and God the Father who raised him from the house of the dead.” (Aramaic New Covenant - used by permission)

© 2008 www.OnTheRock.Net - Dr. Bill Stephenson. Permission is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.