What does "by faith we eagerly await" mean in Galatians 5:5 for believers today? Canonical Setting Paul writes Galatians to believers in the Roman province of Galatia who were being pressured by Judaizers to add circumcision and Mosaic observance to Christ’s finished work. The letter’s climax Isaiah 5:1–6, where Paul opposes law-keeping as a means of justification and introduces the decisive declaration: “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5). Justification Already—Not Yet Scripture makes a dual assertion: believers are already declared righteous (Romans 5:1) yet still “await … the hope of righteousness.” Paul uses “hope” (ἐλπίς) not as wishful thinking but as future-certain reality grounded in the character of God (Hebrews 6:18–19). The believer’s forensic acquittal now will be publicly vindicated at Christ’s return (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:8). Thus Galatians 5:5 bridges present standing and eschatological completion. Faith: The Sole Instrument “By faith” (ἐκ πίστεως) excludes works, ceremonies, and human merit. Paul’s grammar places faith as the channel, not the cause; grace is the source, Christ the object, and the Spirit the agent (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5–7). The Galatians’ drift toward circumcision functions as a live illustration that any addition nullifies grace (Galatians 5:2–4). Through the Spirit The Spirit is the Person who unites the believer to Christ, guarantees the inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14), and produces the internal assurance that future righteousness is certain (Romans 8:16). The same Spirit who raised Jesus (Romans 8:11) is pledged to raise us; historically verified resurrection thus underwrites the believer’s hope (1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Habermas & Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, ch. 8). Eager Waiting: Ethical Outworking Waiting in Pauline thought is active, not passive. Immediately after Galatians 5:5 comes 5:6: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith expressed through love.” Expectation produces practical holiness (1 John 3:3), evangelistic urgency (Acts 17:30–31), and perseverance (Hebrews 10:36–39). Systematic Canonical Harmony • Romans 8:23–25 parallels Galatians 5:5 word for word in theological theme. • Hebrews 9:28 anticipates Christ appearing “to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” • Isaiah 45:24 prophetically grounds righteousness in the Lord alone, forecasting Paul’s gospel. Scripture’s intertextual unity disallows any reading of Galatians 5:5 that re-introduces law observance or temporal self-justification. Present-Day Application 1. Assurance: Rest your confidence in Christ’s finished work; the final verdict is already announced in heaven. 2. Identity: Measure spiritual progress not by ritual conformity but by Spirit-produced love (5:22–23). 3. Mission: Eager expectation fuels evangelism—inviting others to partake of the same hope (2 Corinthians 5:18–21). 4. Suffering: Trials become temporary (Romans 8:18); future righteousness reframes present pain. 5. Worship: Hope culminates in glorifying God, the chief end of man (Psalm 86:9; Westminster Shorter Catechism Q1). Concise Definition “By faith we eagerly await” in Galatians 5:5 means that believers, already justified, confidently and actively anticipate the public, consummate manifestation of their righteousness at Christ’s return—trusting wholly in His grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and living out that expectation through love and holiness. |
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