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There is but one answer to this repeated question "NOT by works of the law BUT by
the hearing of faith".
(3)
". . . . . Redeemed from the curse of the law . . . . . that the blessing of Abraham might come on
to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith" (Gal. 3: 13, 14).
Again the only answer must be "faith"; not "works of law" see verses 10-13.
(4)
". . . . . Redeemed them that were under the law . . . . . because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of His Son into your hearts; crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4: 5, 6).
The context shows that by redemption that status of "servant" has been removed, and
the glorious position of "son" given, with the cry "How turn ye again to the weak and
beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Gal. 4: 7-11).
(5, 6) "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the
one to the other" (Gal. 5: 17).
These, said the apostle, are "contrary" antikeitai the one to the other, and we must
remember in all our studies that the apostle has placed "flesh" and "spirit" in two
contrary categories, so that it is impossible to be in both and one at the self same time.
(7)
"The fruit of the Spirit if love . . . . . against such there is no law" (Gal. 5: 22, 23).
This "fruit" is in direct contrast with the "works of the flesh" (5: 19-21) with the
sequel such "shall not inherit the kingdom of God" and therefore a parallel with the
sequel here "against such there is no law".
Pneuma.
" SPIRIT." (The Seven Occurrences).
(1)
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in Spirit, are ye now made perfect in flesh?" (Gal. 3: 3).
We have learned from the preceding set of references that "spirit" and "flesh" are
contrary one to the other, so that there can be but one answer to this question.
(2)
"But as then he that was born according to flesh, persecuted him that was born according to
Spirit, even so is it now" (Gal. 4: 29).
This as we know is a part of the allegory that the apostle built upon the record of the
two sons of Abraham, the son of the bond maid and the son of the free; Mount Sinai with
its bondage, and Jerusalem that is above, with its freedom. We have given a more literal
rendering of these occurrences than is found in the A.V.
(3)
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen
from grace. For we in Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith" (Gal. 5: 4, 5).
(4)
"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of flesh" (Gal. 5: 16).
(5)
"If in Spirit, ye are led, ye are not under law" (Gal. 5: 18).
(6, 7) "If we live in Spirit, in Spirit also we should walk" (Gal. 5: 25).
We have grouped these passages together as they all insist upon a logical and manifest
outworking of the truth, maintained by the apostle, in the daily life and walk.
Although these words found in later chapters of the epistle were not written when the
apostle asked the question in Gal. 3: 2, this doctrine was already known and was in his
mind and teaching. It is clear, before we examine the subject in full detail, that there