Galatians 5

CHAPTER 5

 

Our Heavenly Dwelling (5:1-10)

1 Here Paul calls our body an earthly tent. It is this “earthly tent” which Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16 was wasting away. Our earthly body will one day be destroyed by death. When our earthly body dies, then our spirit will leave our body. Our body will then be just a corpse.

But we know that even if our earthly body is destroyed, we will receive an eternal house in heaven—that is, a new spiritual body. That new body will be our redeemed body (Romans 8:23), our resurrected body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44,49).

Notice that Paul calls our earthly body a tent. A tent is not a permanent dwelling; it is only a temporary dwelling. In this world we men are merely aliens and strangers (1 Peter 2:11). We are waiting for the time when we shall dwell in our permanent house, our eternal house in heaven, which has been prepared for us by God (see Hebrews 11:8-10).

2 Meanwhile (in this “earthly tent”) we groan—that is, in this life we suffer all kinds of trouble and pain. We wait eagerly for the day when we shall be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—that is, when we shall receive our new redeemed and resurrected bodies (see Romans 8:23).

3 Paul wishes he could be clothed with [his] heavenly dwelling quickly (verse 2), so that he will not be found naked. Because when we die we must remain “unclothed” or naked until Christ comes again; only after Christ comes will we receive our resurrected bodies, our heavenly dwelling (see 1 Corinthians 15:22-23). What Paul is really wishing, therefore, is that Christ will return before he dies.

4 … we do not wish to be unclothed—that is, to die. We see our earthly tent (body) slowly being destroyed; therefore, we groan and are burdened by our weak and dying bodies. In Paul’s time, most Christians believed that Christ would return before they died. In that case, as soon as Christ came they would receive their new, resurrected, eternal bodies and thus would not have to remain “naked” (see 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:1617). In this way, what is mortal (their earthly bodies) would be swallowed up by life—that is, would be resurrected and made eternally alive (see 1 Corinthians 15:54).

5 God will give all of us who believe a new resurrected body, so that we can live forever in heaven with Him. But already in this life God has given us the Holy Spirit, who is like a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. And “what is to come” is that we shall indeed receive new resurrected bodies and eternal life in heaven (see 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14 and comments).

In a way, our new eternal life has already begun here on earth. Paul says that, even here, inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). The Holy Spirit is working in us even now to give life to [our] mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). We can be confident that he (God) who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

God has created us for this very purpose, that we might receive an eternal inheritance in heaven and live with Him forever. And the Holy Spirit within us testifies that this is true (see Romans 8:16-17 and comment).

6-8 Therefore we are always confident. As long as we live in this world we are at home in the body—that is, we have our earthly body. After we die, we shall receive our heavenly eternal body. That new body will be much better than our present earthly body, because now our earthly body is away from the Lord (verse 6)—that is, it is physically separated from the Lord. But our new heavenly bodies will be at home with the Lord (verse 8)—that is, they will be present with the Lord.

We live by faith, not by sight (verse 7). Christ is now in heaven, but we are on earth. Now we walk by faith; we cannot see Christ with our eyes. But in heaven we shall see Him face to face.

Either way, whether alive or dead, whether on earth or in heaven, Paul lives for Christ. Paul wrote to the Philippians: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far (Philippians 1:23). But Paul is also willing as long as necessary to serve Christ here on this earth (see Philippians 1:21-24).

9  Our chief goal is to please Christ. Whether we are alive or dead, whether we are in this earthly body or in our heavenly body—whether we are at home in the body or away from it—our goal is to please him (see Romans 14:8).

10  According to the New Testament, on the day of JUDGMENT God and Christ together will render two kinds of judgment. The first kind of judgment is for those who have not believed in Christ. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18). The Christian is not condemned; he has been delivered from the judgment which will fall upon non-believers (see Romans 5:1; 8:1). The judgment which non-believers will receive is the sentence of death, eternal death in hell.

The second kind of judgment is for believers in Christ. This is the kind of judgment that Paul is talking about in this verse. We Christians, too, must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. It is not we ourselves who will be judged; rather, it is our work that will be judged. Each Christian will receive what is due him for the things done while in the body. This is the judgment of our works. This judgment is not for giving punishment, it is for giving rewards (see Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:8,13-15 and comments).

We do not know what kind of reward we shall receive for our work. In 1 Corinthians 4:5, Paul says only this: At that time each will receive his praise from God (see Luke 19:15-19).

A Christian must not be content only to be saved. Rather, because he has been saved, because God has shown him such great love and mercy, the Christian must seek all the more to honor and to serve God with his whole heart. Jesus said: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8). He also said: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit” (John 15:16).

The Ministry of Reconciliation (5:1121)

11-12 We fear the Lord (verse 11), because we know that one day we shall have to appear before His judgment seat (verse 10).

Some members of the church in Corinth were opposed to Paul. In verse 12, Paul says of these people that they take pride in what is seen—that is, they concentrate on what is seen. They take into account only those things that are outward, and do not pay attention to what is in the heart.

Paul says to the Corinthians: We … are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us (verse 12). Paul isn’t trying to commend himself here; he only means that his own life has been upright and honorable, and that if the Corinthians would just use the example of his life, they would be able to refute those who speak against Paul. The Corinthians can indeed take pride in Paul, because he is their true apostle.

Notice here that Paul is prepared to argue with those who oppose him. Paul doesn’t commend or defend himself for his own sake but for the church’s sake. When Christians are spoken against, they usually should follow Jesus’ example and remain silent (see 1 Peter 2:23). But when church leaders are spoken against, it is essential that they answer their opponents and refute their accusations. Because those who oppose their own leaders are also opposing Christ’s church.¹⁶ Therefore, just as Paul did, church leaders must defend themselves against such opponents in order to prevent harm to the church. But they must not defend themselves out of pride or anger; otherwise, they will be doing as much harm as those who oppose them.

13 Some of Paul’s opponents said that he was “out of his mind.” Perhaps they said he was too religious, that he was a fanatic. Paul answers such a charge by saying: “Okay, if I’m too religious, or if I seem to be out of my mind, it is all for your sake.”

Some people had said that Jesus Himself was “out of His mind” (see Mark 3:20-22). Just as men spoke against Jesus, so they also spoke against Paul (see John 15:18,20 and comment).

14  The greatest compelling force in Paul’s life was Christ’s love. All Paul did was because of Christ’s love. Christ gave up His own life for Paul. Therefore, Paul wants to give his life to Christ.

But Christ didn’t only give up His life for Paul; He gave His life for all men. That is, He died in the place of all men, because all men were condemned to die. If Christ had not died in our place, we would all have been condemned to death in hell forever¹⁷ (see Mark 10:45 and comment).

Paul says that all died. In one way, all believers have died with Christ (Romans 6:3). Our “old sinful self’ has been crucified with Christ (see Romans 6:6-7 and comment).

15  Christ died to give us life. When we put faith in Christ, our old sinful self dies with Christ and we receive new spiritual life (see Romans 6:4-5,8; Galatians 2:20 and comments). What should we do for a man who gives up His life for us? We should live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died for us. We owe Christ our lives.

In verses 14-15, we see two important steps in the Christian life. First, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6,8). Therefore, through faith we are declared righteous and receive salvation (Romans 5:9-10). Second, our “old sinful self’ dies with Christ (Romans 6:6,8; Galatians 5:24). When we put off our old sinful self, then we “put on” Christ and begin to live like Him (see Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:22-24 and comments; General Article: Way of Salvation).

16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Paul means that we should no longer evaluate anyone according to worldly standards, according to the flesh; rather, we should evaluate people according to spiritual standards (see Romans 8:5).

The Corinthians judged each other from a worldly point of view, according to worldly standards (see 1 Corinthians 3:34). But we must not make distinctions between people according to worldly standards, according to the flesh (see Romans 2:11; Galatians 3:28).

At first Paul had regarded Christ from a worldly point of view. We, too, before we believed, regarded Christ in this way. But now we have met the risen, living Christ Himself; therefore, we now regard Him (know Him) according to a spiritual point of view, according to the truth.

It is not enough merely to obtain knowledge about Christ; we must know Him personally, spiritually. It does no good for a sick person to merely identify the right medicine; he must take it! In the same way, we must personally accept Christ through faith; we must take Him into our lives. For example, Thomas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, did not believe at first that Jesus had risen from the dead. He said he would have to see and touch Jesus’ wounds before he would believe. That is, he insisted on regarding Jesus from a worldly or fleshly point of view. But Jesus said to Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe.” And Thomas’ spiritual eyes were opened, and he saw the risen, living Christ, and accepted Him (see John 20:2429).

17 This verse contains one of the greatest statements in the entire New Testament. In the teaching of no other religion do we find that a person can become a new creation. But when a person is in Christ, he or she does indeed become a new creation. Our “old self’ dies, and our “new self’ is born (see John3:3; Romans 6:8 and comments).

The most important words in this verse are the words in Christ. To be in Christ means to have faith in Him, to obey Him, to love Him, to know Him personally, and to make Him the Lord of one’s life. Just as a branch is “in the tree,” so we must be “in Christ” (see John 15:4-6).

If we are in Christ, Christ will be in us; and through His Holy Spirit living within us, we shall become “new creations” (Romans 8:11).

In order for our “new creation,” our new spiritual life, to arise, our “old sinful self’ must die (Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:24). We must put off our old self (Ephesians 4:22). Before we can receive a new heart, our old sinful heart must be removed (Ezekiel 11:19). Before new leaves can come, the old leaves must fall.

But to be a “new creation,” we must be in Christ. And if we are new creations in Christ, it means that all our old sinful desires and habits must be done away with; the old has gone, the new has come! If our lives are filled with old sins and habits, how can we say that we are new creations?

Looking at ourselves, can we indeed say that we are a new creation? Is our life, our behavior, like that of a new creation? If the answer is no, then the reason can only be that we are not in Christ. Let us examine ourselves.

18 All things have their origin in God; all work begins with Him. First, He reconciled us to himself, and then He gave us the ministry of calling others to be reconciled also.

Why does man need to be reconciled to God? Man needs to be reconciled to God because of man’s sin. Because of man’s sin, God’s wrath has come upon mankind (Romans 1:18).

But how, then, can a person be reconciled? The answer is: through Christ. God’s wrath fell upon Christ instead of upon us. Christ Himself took our punishment for sin (Isaiah 53:5-6). Through Christ’s sacrifice of His body on the cross—that is, through His death—He brought about our reconciliation with God. He made peace between us and God (Romans 5:1). Christ is the one and only mediator between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5). Only through Christ can we come to the heavenly Father (John 14:6).

Let us ask ourselves this: In our village, in our city, in our country, what is man’s greatest need? Is it clean water? Is it a good diet? Is it good health, or good schools? Improved agriculture? Roads and cars? No, it is none of these things. The single greatest need of every man, woman, and child is to be reconciled to God! Besides this, what else is important? And what is amazing is that God has committed to us—weak and ordinary “jars of clay”—the tremendous task of proclaiming this message of reconciliation, of proclaiming to men and women that through faith in Christ they too can be reconciled to God.

19 The message of reconciliation, in brief, is this: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ (see Colombians 1:19-20). Through Christ our sins are forgiven and our punishment taken away. Christ was the sacrificial lamb that takes away the sins of the world (see John 1:29 and comment). Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). In other words, the message of reconciliation is simply the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And God has committed to us this message; He has given us the responsibility of proclaiming this message to the world. God hasn’t given this responsibility only to Paul and the other apostles; He has given it to every Christian. What have we done with the message? Have we shared it with others, or have we kept it for ourselves? Are we remaining silent while our family, friends, and neighbors are being condemned to eternal punishment?

20 Let us not remain silent! Like Paul, we too are Christ’s ambassadors. We are God’s spokesmen, His representatives on earth. God did not reconcile us to Himself only for our own sake, but also so that others might be reconciled through our testimony.

To be the ambassador of a king is a great honor and responsibility. But to be the ambassador of the King of kings, Jesus Christ, is incomparably greater (see 1 Timothy 6:15). And every Christian—whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, high or low—every one is an ambassador of Christ.

As Christ’s ambassadors, our job is to implore men and women: Be reconciled to God. Or, in other words: Accept by faith the reconciliation that Christ has already worked out for mankind through His death on the cross (see Romans 5:1,10-11 and comment).

21 Christ never committed a sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5). It was because Christ was completely innocent, completely without sin, that He was able to take our punishment. If Christ had been sinful Himself, He could only have taken His own punishment, not ours. God made Christ to be sin for us; that is, God sent Christ to stand as a sinner in our place before God’s judgment seat (Isaiah 53:12).

By taking upon Himself the punishment for our sins, Christ has taken away our guilt, our unrighteousness. Therefore, we are now declared righteous in God’s sight. Paul says here that in him (Christ) we have become the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God; that is, through faith we have obtained the righteousness of God (see Romans 1:17; 3:21-22 and comments).

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