Galatians 6: (1-6) 7-16

Background to Galatians

In Galatians, Paul tackles the sticky dilemma of the Hebrew Law. The background of the book is that the churches of Galatia (thought to be modern-day Turkey) were populated by both Gentiles and Jewish-Christians. The dilemma centers around how necessary it was for Gentile converts to Christianity to adopt Jewish practices, namely circumcision. Paul adamantly argues that these requirements are unnecessary requirements, because faith in Christ frees one from the obligations of the Law. Besides, Paul argues, even the apostles to the Jews (Peter, et al) have given up strict adherence to the law. Paul recounts his opposition to Peter’s (“Cephas”) insistence that Gentile converts be circumcised. Toward the end of the body of the letter (through chapter 5), Paul has really worked himself into a frenzy, even wishing that Peter & Co. would castrate themselves. The whole thing sounds like chapter one in the eternal fight over traditional and new practices in the church.

Lectionary Selection 6:(1-6), 7-16

Chapter 6 stands as a two-part salutation to the letter. It directly follows Paul’s distinction between works of the flesh and the fruits of the spirit (5:16-26). Chapter 6, verses 1-10 seem to deal with what to do since there is division, with instruction on what it means to be guided by the Spirit. Despite his own emotional investment in the matter, Paul encourages investing in the fruits of the Spirit. Those who have done wrong are to be restored gently, contrasting an often harsh and unforgiving law. Paul furthermore asks those doing the restoring to refrain from temptation (perhaps to judge too harshly). Paul also encourages humility and the fair-sharing of the work of the church.

Verses 11-18 reprises his warning against those who insist on circumcision. Circumcision (once the mark of the covenant) is nothing. It is the new creation we have in Christ that is the crux of faith. Paul then closes with a plea that the people of Galatia trouble him no more.

Reflection

How do we handle conflict within the church family? When is it appropriate to distance yourself from another believer and how do we negotiate restoring one who has wronged us? What is God’s will regarding disagreement within the community of believers? Certainly, God knows that this is inevitable, given that the church is a collection of human beings (with all our gifts and graces). And yet, we are called into relationship anyhow.

This matter is particularly appropriate given the current climate in the UMC (and the US, in general, it seems). Methodists know well how to yell at each other through magazine articles and Conference resolutions. We know how to face off over Judicial Council matters. And few contemporary Christians are immune to leaving and going somewhere else.

What seems rare is the practice of restoration…of acknowledging wrongdoing as well as acknowledging that relationships can survive wrongdoing. When Paul looks at Galatia, he sees both the community that welcomed him “as an angel of God” (4:14) and people close to devouring and consuming one another (5:15). What to do? Paul certainly picks his side, but he also establishes a standard of behavior. ALL matters are subject to the standards of the Spirit. The church of Galatia shall operate with gentleness, patience, generosity, etc. By investing in these spiritual fruits, the church’s harvest will be eternal life (6:8-9). And ultimately the new creation, borne of the Spirit and evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit, is everything.

Questions for reflection

1. What does it mean to restore a transgressor “in a spirit of gentleness” (6:1)?
2. In the freedom that comes through faith in Christ, what is the role of works (see 6:4)?
3. In what ways does “doing what is right” make one weary (6:9)?
4. How do we ‘boast in the cross’ while also being gentle (6:14 & 5:22)?

2 Kings 5:1-14 and Psalm 30
or
Isaiah 66:10-14 and Psalm 66:1-9
Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 and Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20

or
1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21 and Psalm 16
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
Luke 9:51-62

2 Kings 2; Psalm 77

Again, I’m not particularly happy about the lectionary’s choice to omit verses from the narrative in this passage.  For one thing, it loses one serious exegetical note - properly, Elisha says “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you,” three times.

We also lose Elisha’s knowledge that Elijah is going to leave.  His commitment to Elijah seems far stronger when we realize that Elisha knows he is going away.

Elisha’s reaction, watching and crying out and tearing his clothes, are a great expression of grief.  Knowing that a loved one is leaving does not lessen the response of grief.  Ask anyone who has lost a loved one to a terminal illness.  As a counselor I even know a term for that one - “anticipatory grief” - the grief that comes when you realize you’re losing someone before they’re truly gone.

The image of Elisha rending his clothes and taking up Elijah’s cloak is a wonderful image of shedding an old life and taking on a new one.  His old identity is gone, a new creation takes his place.  Of course parting the water is a Moses image - and this connection is huge.  Elisha is not only the new Elijah, but also the new Moses - a voice of God’s liberating spirit for God’s people.

Psalm 77:19 Your way was through the sea, your path, through the mighty waters; yet your footprints were unseen.  

God, through Elisha, again made the impossible possible - making a way when there seems to be no way.

1 Kings 19

Here is the beginning of the Elijah-Eilsha story, in which Elijah knows he is naming and training his own successor.  He takes on a student, knowing that one day the student will become the master.  This has great implications for church leadership today - are pastors really shepherds leading a flock of sheep, or shepherds training apprentices who are to become shepherds themselves?  Faithful churches are largely lay-driven.

Galatians 5

Paul once again contrasts, in my opinion,  the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law.  If you really love God and love neighbor, you will not engage in the actions of the “vice list.”   Following the rules never saved anyone, following the Spirit saves us.

I love 5:15 - If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.  Very similar to Gandhi’s “an eye for an eye and soon we are all blind.”

Luke 9

Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

My grandfather was a farmer.  I was always intrigued how a farmer could plant so many straight rows on so much land.  When driving the tractor there is really only one way to keep your rows straight.  You find a point ahead of you and stay focused on that point.  The moment you look back to see if your rows are straight, your hand moves on the wheel and the row you’re planting becomes crooked.  Oops.

I have always liked this verse as an illustration that running away from one thing is not the same thing as running toward another.  Running away from evil is not the same as running into the arms of God.   Focusing on the goal is always better than focusing on the obstacles.

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