Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? I. THE CHURCH IS THE PRODUCT OF THE HOLY GHOST. This is the doctrine of the whole of this text; it is the cord by which all its parts are bound together. Throwing the minds of the Galatians back upon the beginning of their religious life, whether as Churches, or as individual believers, the apostle reminds them that then they received the Holy Ghost. They began in the Spirit. This truth admits of a twofold application. First, in relation to the Church as a whole; secondly, in relation to those who compose its members. 1. The Church of Christ had no existence before the Holy Spirit was given. In the Old Testament, and also in the New, an assembly or congregation of men received that name (Deuteronomy 18:16;: Nehemiah 5:13; Psalm 22:22; Acts 7:38, and Acts 19:32-40). But the Church of Christ, which is His body, has been originated by the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38-41; 1 Peter 1:2). Before the coming of Christ, and during His ministry on the earth, the Holy Spirit was in the world. 2. Believers enter upon the new life through the Holy Spirit. They are born of the Spirit. II. ALL THE ATTAINMENTS OF THE CHURCH ARE REACHED THROUGH THE HELP OF THE SPIRIT. 1. That the Spirit dwells in His people that they may make progress in the Divine life. Truth relating to salvation is revealed by Him (1 Corinthians 11:10). Guidance is given through Him (1 Corinthians 8:14). Liberty (2 Corinthians 3:18). His presence is the earnest of the future in. heritance (Ephesians 1:18, 14). 2. Through the Holy Ghost the conditions and circumstances of this present life are made subservient to spiritual ends. III. THE EFFICIENCY AND POWER OF THE CHURCH DEPEND UPON THE SPIRIT. 1. It is possible for Churches, after having received the Holy Spirit, to lose His gracious presence and power. 2. The most fatal means to this end is renouncing faith in Christ as the all-sufficient Saviour. 3. Turning from Christ, and from the Spirit's work, is conduct most foolish in its commencement, and most disastrous in its final results. 4. Avoiding the errors described in the text, all Christians should seek to profit by instruction and correction, and through the Spirit to become thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (R. Nicholls.) Parallel Verses KJV: Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?WEB: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? |
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