Gal. 5:1-15, Emptiness in Galatians (2)

We are continuing to think about “emptiness” in Galatians. We have seen that there can be a certain “emptiness” in ministry.  Christ intends for us to bear fruit that lasts.  But if the fruit get’s rotten, so to speak, Paul was concerned that he would have a sense of vanity or emptiness, as if his ministry had not been effective.

·       3:17: … the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.  The word “annul” (Grk. akuroo) means to render something void (empty), being without force or authority.  “No effect” is katargeo and means to render idle, unemployed or inoperative.  This passage speaks of the faithfulness of God’s word.  In this case, some might have thought that the law, which was holy and God’s word, might replace the covenant He had made with Abraham.  But that covenant was without condition, a promise motivated by God’s grace.  Thus, the law could not render the promise ineffective.  Our ministry might, at times, seem to be empty.  But to the extent that our ministry is founded on the word of God, there will always be something (the word of God) that cannot lose it’s effectiveness.  As Paul said elsewhere (2 Tim. 2:9),he was chained up in prison but the word of God is not chained. 

·       Related to this idea of God’s word and the effectiveness of sound doctrine, Galatians addresses the “emptiness” of making circumcision to be a requirement for the body of Christ.

o   5:2: … if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.  God’s word never loses it’s effectiveness.  The gospel is always the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16).  But it only “profits” (Grk. ophelesei, to assist, be useful or advantageous) if it is received by faith, without works.  Because of our unbelief it does not work for us.  But whoever believes the gospel, it will always bring salvation.

o   5:6; 6:15: Both verses have these words: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but ….  This applies to those who are already saved by the blood of Christ; they are “in Christ Jesus.”  The point is that circumcision does not in any way aid you in your walk with Christ.  To “avail” (Grk. ischuo) means to be strong, robust, in sound health, to have power, to be serviceable.  Both verses add a “but” clause.  There is something that does strengthen us.  In 5:6 it is faith working through love. As Christians, so as to honor Christ, we want to live lives of service to Him, lives that bear fruit.  The life that does this is the of love, which “works” (Grk. energeo, to be operational, at work, putting forth power) as we walk in faith, and not in the power of the flesh.  Here, the emphasis is on our lives.  In 6:15 the “but” clause is, a new creation.  Here, the emphasis is on the work of God in the heart of the believer.  What God has done, to enable us to faithfully work a life of love, is that He has made us new people in Christ.  He has made us, not to be empty, but to be full of usefulness for Christ.