Philip Dampier's Blog

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Gal. 5:15) The Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat were the main characters in the poem “The Duel” by Eugene Fields. Mr. Fields may well have read Galatians 5:15 before he wrote…

“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14) Moses gave the law but Jesus fulfilled it. Jews were admonished to keep the law but Christians, like Christ, fulfill the law. Jesus fulfilled the law by keeping it to the fullest…

“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.” (Gal. 5:13) This verse gives us three things to think about. It begins a new section in the book and has a slightly different tone.…

“I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!” (Gal. 5:12) Is this a sarcastic blow or is Paul really that upset with the Judaizers? Of course he has reason to be upset considering the uproar they have caused with their demand of circumcision but this is a really sharp…

My latest writing effort is receiving great reviews. I hope you will give it a try. It’s a short read but lots of fun. If you do purchase the eBook or the paperback please leave a review on the site you purchased from. Also, reviews on Goodreads and your person…

“But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.” (Gal. 5:11) Paul’s question suggest that he is still being charged with preaching circumcision. Perhaps the Judaizers are teaching this to imply that even Paul is…

“I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.” (Gal. 5:10) Paul has already written a lot. He has made his point more than once and has done so in…

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Gal. 5:9) A short verse but a serious message. The leaven’s job is to spread. It doesn’t take much to become a lot. It works its way right through the whole lump of dough until every single particle is leavened. This works in…

“This persuasion is not from him who calls you.” (Gal. 5:8) Here is the obedience with persuasion theme again. Verse 8 is following right on the footfalls of verse 7. Some translations say “This kind of persuasion.” Either way, we understand Paul’s point. The persuasion the Galatians were getting to…

“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Gal. 5:7) Paul was very familiar with the athletic races that were popular at the time. Perhaps he was even a fan or maybe he ran in the races as a young man, whichever he liked to use them…