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Sermon Introduction

Paul expressed deep concern that the letter's recipients should believe the gospel without distortions. He warned that those who seek justification through the works of the law sever themselves from the grace of God.

Moreover, he asked who hindered them from running well, which seemed like a sarcastic challenge. He also warned that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough, which inferred that one must avoid even a little false teaching.

Paul used strong words against all who would preach a distorted gospel. Some of the strong words included cursed and emasculate. He then shifts his attention from the false teachers to the community, which he believes would adopt the right point of view.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Galatians 5:13-15 ESV

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Notes

Paul expressed deep concern that the letter's recipients should believe the gospel without distortions. He warned that those who seek justification through the works of the law sever themselves from the grace of God. Moreover, he asked who hindered them from running well, which seemed like a sarcastic challenge. He also warned that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough, which inferred that one must avoid even a little false teaching. Paul used strong words against all who would preach a distorted gospel. Some of the strong words included cursed and emasculate. He then shifts his attention from the false teachers to the community, which he believes would adopt the right point of view.

1. No excuse to sin
   Paul cautioned that those called to freedom should not use their freedom as an excuse for the flesh, in other words, to sin. He referred to his statement of faith working through love, which also serves one another (5:13).
   13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another.

2. Service and love

   Paul mentioned faith working through love and cautioned about using freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Then he encouraged serving one another through love by quoting Leviticus 19 (5:14).
   14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

3. Another warning

   Biting and devouring one another leads to mutual destruction, which is the opposite of loving your neighbor as yourself. Paul used words related to untamed beasts and connected them with the flesh (5:15).
   15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
   Paul's statements in verses 14 and 15 were his insight of Leviticus 19:9-18, which showed that loving your neighbor meant not holding a grudge nor seeking vengeance against a fellow Israelite.
   18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Application

1. Give no excuses

   Righteousness is through faith alone. Justification is through faith alone, never through religious slavery, and never through the works of the law. We should celebrate our freedom in the gospel yet never use freedom as a reason to sin.

2. Through love, serve the community

   Protect the community from false teaching and false teachers. Yet, within the community, we must, through love, serve one another. We may express such in the church as a whole, especially within small groups.

3. Watch out

   While we speak against false teaching or careless handling of Scripture, we should treat each other respectfully and fairly. And not bite and devour one another lest it leads to mutual destruction.
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. Was Paul contradicting himself when he cited what fulfills the law? Explain.

2. What were the instructions related to loving one another?

3. What was Paul’s warning about mutual destruction?