Philip Dampier's Blog

“It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” (Gal. 6:12) Paul makes two main points for the Galatians here. One, those who are…

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.” (Gal. 6:11) It was common for someone like Paul to have a professional writer compose the language of the letter. Paul would dictate the message, and the writer would put the words into appropriate prose. Obviously,…

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10) Three things here: opportunity, good deeds to the people of the world, good deeds to the people of the church. Opportunities abound everywhere and every…

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9) Doing bad things often brings results quickly. Evil desires are fulfilled in the near time but doing good is not immediately rewarded. A person could look…

“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Gal. 6:8) Wow! Talk about polarization. Seed production has an end result. Two kinds of seeds and two kinds of…

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he also reap.” (Gal. 6:7) This is known as the law of sowing and reaping. We understand how it works in the natural world. The crop you harvest is the same as the seed you planted.…

“One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.” (Gal. 6:6) Paul changes the subject and now is addressing the concept of providing for the means of spreading the gospel. It may seem odd in a way since Paul was not interested in…

“For each will have to bear his own load.” (Gal. 6:5) Perhaps you heard the title of this verse’s comments before. I heard it a lot as a young person. It’s how people shared this verse. It was one of many “chimney corner scriptures.” When someone said that every tub…

“But let each one test his own work, and his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” (Gal. 6:4) Paul is pointing out the danger of boasting that we are “not like others” rather than comparing ourselves with how we are living the Christian…

“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” (Gal. 6:3) This is a possibility for anyone who is saved by grace and involved in doing good works. The problem of grace for many is that it is just that. Unmerited, undeserved and an absolute…