A funny moment in the Bible, I was trying not to think about the conflicts that were happening at the time and that were being discussed and what we could do, and I ask God to help us in all matters, that we continue to study new and old technologies (Pray for those who long for the rapture). May we continue to study the stars as well to recognize patterns and may we follow Jesus Christ steadfastly, because it seems to me that there is much to be said and to happen. Then, when I came across ( Galatians 5:12) "I wish those who are troubling you would mutilate themselves." Was Paul clearly out of patience that day? I interpreted that phrase as ironic. I don't know if I'm slow.
It seems as though Paul was being a little sarcastic. That's what I like about Paul. He doesn't hold back!
In Galatians 5:1-12, Paul is giving instruction concerning the legalists. The legalists were teaching that faith alone in Christ was not enough for salvation, that you also had to be circumcised.
In Acts Chapter 15, when the Jerusalem council got together, they were debating whether the Gentiles should have to live under the law. But Paul says in Galatians 2:19, for I through the law died to the law, that I might live unto God.
But these legalists were saying that a person must keep the law in order to be saved, and that they must be circumcised. This was their way of proving your spirituality. In the first 12 verses of Galatians Chapter 5, Paul is talking to the Galatians about these legalists.
In Galatians 5:2-4, he says, "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
What's interesting is in Verse 11, Paul is calling them brethren. He says if I yet preach circumcision (because there were some that said Paul preaches circumcision), why do I suffer persecution? Why are the people who preach circumcision, why are they persecuting me? Then is the offence of the cross ceased. If Paul preached circumcision and not Christ, then there would be no offence of the cross. But now he's being persecuted.
Verse 12 which you mentioned, he says I would they were even cut off which trouble you. Paul says if circumcision carries any spiritual weight (which was the legalist way of thinking), maybe they ought to be castrated, a very sarcastic "dig" by Paul about the mutilation of the flesh!
If they want to be spiritual, let them be castrated. I wish they were cut off. And that's exactly what it means.
It seems as though Paul was being a little sarcastic. That's what I like about Paul. He doesn't hold back!
In Galatians 5:1-12, Paul is giving instruction concerning the legalists. The legalists were teaching that faith alone in Christ was not enough for salvation, that you also had to be circumcised.
In Acts Chapter 15, when the Jerusalem council got together, they were debating whether the Gentiles should have to live under the law. But Paul says in Galatians 2:19, for I through the law died to the law, that I might live unto God.
But these legalists were saying that a person must keep the law in order to be saved, and that they must be circumcised. This was their way of proving your spirituality. In the first 12 verses of Galatians Chapter 5, Paul is talking to the Galatians about these legalists.
In Galatians 5:2-4, he says, "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
What's interesting is in Verse 11, Paul is calling them brethren. He says if I yet preach circumcision (because there were some that said Paul preaches circumcision), why do I suffer persecution? Why are the people who preach circumcision, why are they persecuting me? Then is the offence of the cross ceased. If Paul preached circumcision and not Christ, then there would be no offence of the cross. But now he's being persecuted.
Verse 12 which you mentioned, he says I would they were even cut off which trouble you. Paul says if circumcision carries any spiritual weight (which was the legalist way of thinking), maybe they ought to be castrated, a very sarcastic "dig" by Paul about the mutilation of the flesh!
If they want to be spiritual, let them be castrated. I wish they were cut off. And that's exactly what it means.
God Bless!!!
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