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Week 36

  Monday, September 1 Galatians 4   Commentary           At the end of the last chapter, Paul declares that those in Christ are the heirs of Abraham. In this chapter, Paul explains that the heirs of Abraham were kept under the guardianship of the law, not yet possessing the inheritance, until Christ came. The Law exposes our sin, teaches God’s holiness, and emphasizes the necessity of a perfect and final atonement for sin. The law, however, does not provide salvation. The saints of old were not saved by keeping the Law, but rather, like Abraham, by putting faith in the One who gave the law and promised a Savior to come. Following the atoning death of Christ, we must put our faith in him. Paul already thoroughly taught this to the Galatians, yet they continue in the old things of the Law, like observing the festivals, as if salvation comes from perfectly keeping the Law.         ...
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Week 35

Monday, August 25 Acts 26   Commentary           Picking up from the end of the last chapter, Paul now gives his testimony to King Agrippa. Festus wanted Agrippa to examine Paul so they could decide a proper charge against Paul. Paul gives his most detailed testimony yet to Agrippa, who was more familiar with Jewish customs and thus more likely to consider Paul’s message. The apostle gives a sort of spiritual resume that appears impeccable, especially to someone partial to the Pharisees like Agrippa. Paul then narrates his conversion and explains how the message of Christ is the fulfillment of everything Judaism had been waiting for. David Gooding noted that Paul had a key opportunity for the gospel: “At stake and under question was the character of the Christian gospel. Was it, or was it not, treasonable to the emperor? And then, way and beyond that, was it a reasonable gospel, holding out a credible hope for the world? In t...
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