Galatians 13

¹ Some Bible scholars think that this “severe” letter was actually Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. But most scholars think it was a different letter, which has now been lost.

² We call Paul’s third letter “2 Corinthians,” because the actual second letter he wrote has been lost.

³ Corinth was the capital of the province of Achaia.

⁴ The province of Asia was located in the western part of what is now modem Turkey. Its chief city was Ephesus.

⁵ Judea is the southern province of Israel; Jerusalem is its main city.

⁶ In the Hebrew language, the language of the Jews. Amen is said in place of “yes.”

⁷ Paul was like a father who is obliged to discipline his children. 1he loving father always feels the pain he inflicts upon his child.

⁸ Titus was a close colleague of Paul (see Galatians 2:1,3 and comment).

⁹ Macedonia was the main province of northern Greece. Together, Macedonia and Achaia (the southern province) made up most of the country of Greece.

¹⁰ The first five books of the Old Testament are often called the “Law,” or the “Law of Moses.” Paul often uses the words “law” and “covenant” interchangeably. Both the Jewish law and the covenant relationship between the Jews and God are contained in those first five books of the Old Testament. For further discussion, see Word List: Law.

¹¹ The first five books of the Old Testament were written by Moses.

¹² For further discussion, see General Articles: Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit.

¹³ In place of the words reflect the Lord’s glory, some translations of the Bible say, “behold the Lord’s glory.” It is not certain in the original Greek text which meaning Paul intended. Both translations are possible and make good sense.

¹⁴ When we suffer because of our own sin or stupidity, our suffering will then be a form of discipline given by God. If we repent of our sin and accept God’s discipline, then even this kind of suffering will bring great spiritual benefit in the end (see Hebrews 12:11).

¹⁵ In 2 Corinthians 3:6, Paul calls himself a “minister of a new’ covenant.” That new covenant is the covenant of grace. Thus being a minister of the new covenant and being a minister of grace are the same thing.

¹⁶ Sometimes, of course, leaders fall into sin. When this happens, at least two witnesses are needed before any charge can be brought against a leader (see 1 Timothy 5:19-20). The charges must be clearly proven, or they should be dropped.

¹⁷ Those in hell remain in a state which is like death, because in hell they are separated from God and Christ. Those who are separated from God and Christ can have no true spiritual life

¹⁸ Belial a Another name for Stun.

¹⁹ The sins of the spirit are such things as unbelief, pride, discontent, criticism, idol worship, etc. The spirit mentioned here is the human spirit All ans arise in man’s lie art and mind, but some sins especially involve man’s body, while other sins especially involve man’s spirit.

²⁰ Death, in a material sense, is the ultimate state of poverty. Through death we lose not only our possessions but also our bodies.

²¹ The particular matter that Paul is referring to in this verse is a financial matter. All church leaders must make themselves and their work accountable to other Christians, especialy in financial affairs. It is not enough to say. “I am accountable only to God.” Satan will surely trip up the leader who retuses to be accountable to other believers.

²² Although God usually gives Christians material blessings along with the spiritual blessings. He doesn’t always do so. Sometimes God leads us through periods of hardship in order to test us or in order to give us even greater spiritual blessings.

²³ Damascus is the capital of the Middle Eastern country of Syria.

²⁴ When referring to God. it is more accurate to speak of His three"modes of existence.” rather than His three “forms” or “persons.” For simplicity’s sake, however, this commentary generally uses the word “form.”