Friday 12 October 2012

Background

Two important things to remember when reading Paul's letters: hedidn't write them himself (he dictated them to a scribe) and he wasoften replying to letters he had received, and which we don't have,unfortunately. This may help to explain the slightly 'random'nature of his letter to the Galatians as it draws towards a close.So today's passage begins with Paul repeating what he has just saidpreviously, about living by, and so being ledby, the Spirit. This, he says, makes for good relationships andgenerous behaviour within "the family of faith" (v. 10).

Realising, perhaps, that his tone up to now could have theopposite effect, Paul urges his readers to be gentle in the waythey treat each other. Specifically, those "who have received theSpirit" should be generous to those who have been "detected in atransgression" (v. 1). Given Paul's passionate argument up untilnow, it is reasonable to assume that this refers to those who havebeen persuaded by his opponents to be circumcised (Galatians 5:2-4). They should be treated gentlyin obedience to the 'law of Christ' - "you shall love yourneighbour as yourself" (Galatians 5:14). And everyone should examinetheir own conscience.

The sudden change of emphasis in verse 6 is probably a responseto a question that had arisen about whether it was right to givefinancial support to visiting preachers - a question that aroseelsewhere too (eg 1 Corinthians 9:4-14). But Paul quickly getsback to his theme of the contrast between "flesh" and "Spirit",with a further warning to those who give in to the flesh (thepressure to be circumcised?) and an exhortation to be fruitful in"doing what is right" (v. 9), or to 'be righteous' (which meansmuch the same), and to "work for the good of all" (v. 10).First-century letters of this kind usually included an 'ethicalexhortation', and this one is no exception. But don't think Paulhas calmed down…..

To Ponder

• Which is more important, do you think: right belief or rightbehaviour? Which mattered more to Paul? And what about you?

• "Let us work for the good of all" (v. 10), but why "especiallyfor those of the family of faith"?

• What kind of 'ethical exhortation' do you think the Churchneeds to hear today?