Philip Dampier's Blog

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Gal. 5:6) Circumcision was an act of the flesh which set a person aside as a part of the covenant but the covenant was no longer. God made a new covenant which was…

“For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” (Gal. 5:5) Paul now expresses how they should be doing in their walk. One of the major differences in following Christ rather than law is the gift of the Holy Spirit. We supply faith and…

“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Gal. 5:4) Once saved always saved has been a popular doctrine and a reassuring one but unfortunately not true. That which saved a person originally will keep that person saved as…

“I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” (Gal. 5:3) Just like its Jesus and nothing else so it is with the law. Can’t take just a few selected rules and keep them. Paul is clear on this point. If…

“Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.” (Gal. 5:2) The verb look has the strong use of “pay attention here,” This is important, Paul is saying and he follows it with his name. This is Paul speaking and…

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1) Christ has indeed set us free from the penalty of sin. We were held captive, prisoners of sin that we could not get rid of. Heavy burdened under…

“And so brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.” (Gal. 4:31) Whether Jew or Gentile the Galatians have no business with the law as a means of their salvation. They have been called by Christ through the process of grace. Salvation by law makes…

“But what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.’” (Gal. 4:30) Keep in mind how Paul is using this story of Ishmael and Isaac. His comparison began with…

“But just as at that time he was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.” (Gal. 4:29) Paul’s reference here is to the story in Genesis 21 where the birth of Isaac is told. Isaac means, he laughs,…

“For it is written, ‘Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.’ Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of…