The Blessed Hope Podcast -- Episode Five: "Abraham Believed God" (Galatians 3:1-9)
Paul calls all who believe his gospel “sons of Abraham,” which includes both believing Jews and Gentiles. But Paul does not include those who seek to be right before God and the basis of works of the law, which Paul has just declared in Galatians 2:16, do not justify.
The Judaizers were spying on the Galatians’ Christian liberty. Christians in these churches do not, apparently, follow a kosher diet, they do not observe the feasts of Israel, and there is no requirement that Gentiles be circumcised in order to be justified, or declared “right with God.” Jews and Gentiles worship together, eat together, and embrace the same gospel, without, according to the Judaizers, proper observance of the law of Moses–the reason why they were so vocally challenging Paul’s authority and his gospel.
In response, Paul turns to the account of Abraham, who, in Genesis 15:6, believed God and was reckoned as “righteous.” Paul appeals to the story of Abraham to refute the Judaizing idea that those justified before God, are such, because of obedience to “works of the law.” Abraham is the” man of faith” and the spiritual father of all who believe the gospel. The same gospel, Paul says, which YHWH preached to Abraham and which was foretold through the Scriptures.
How can uncircumcised Gentiles be identified as “children of Abraham”? Paul is about to tell us.
Resources for Episode Five:
Meredith Kline on the Works Principle in the Mosaic Economy
Scott Clark on Classical Covenant Theology
Mike Horton on Law and Gospel in Covenant Theology
Suggested Bibliography for the Series:
F. F. Bruce, Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free
Guy Waters, The Life and Theology of Paul
Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians
Moo, Galatians (Baker Exegetical Commentary)
J. V. Fesko, Galatians, Lectio Continua Series
Music (Shutterstock): Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op 92m, second movement, Allegretto (A minor)