Philip Dampier's Blog

“Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.” (Gal. 3:7) To the Jewish people, being children of Abraham was very important. It was a matter of connecting with God as well as a means of national pride. Being a Jew himself, Paul understood this…

“Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” (Gal. 3:6) This is Paul’s closer to the argument in verse five. Abraham lived prior to the law but he was counted as a righteous man. If there was no law then what was the basis for…

“Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith…” (Gal. 3:5) The Galatians had received the Holy Spirit just as all Christians do. Obviously, from what Paul writes they had also witnessed miraculous events…

“Did you suffer so many things in vain, if indeed it was in vain?” (Gal. 3:4) Turning from Judaism to follow Christ was a difficult path. It is possible that families were split and relationships strained to the breaking point. The cost of discipleship can be high and in the…

“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:30 There’s that word again. Foolish. Why are they acting foolish this time? It is because Paul sees them as having begun their walk as Christians through the gospel of the Spirit…

“Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?” (Gal. 3:2) Paul doesn’t give up, does he? He believes the answer to just one question will solve the issue once and for all. The Galatian Christians had received…

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.” (Gal. 3:1) To be foolish means to be without good sense and is the opposite of wise. It declares one who lacks good judgment or plain common sense. Why does…

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.” (Gal. 2:21) There it is. Grace or law, take your pick. Law here may involve any process by which the sinner attempts to win justification by any means other…

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) “I live by…

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20) This is a…