I won't go through every chapter, because Galatians is taking me months to finish. Just a few passages that stuck out to me...
"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ~Phil. 4:10-13
Man! If I could truly master this - being content in EVERY situation. Not complaining. Not thinking anything is a waste of my time. Not questioning God. Paul was okay with not having tons of money or even food. Chris (my husband) and I want to move to Tacoma, but we know we'll need first month's rent, deposits, jobs, etc. I was recently took off the Salvation Army's insurance because I'm now married, and I keep thinking about how much I'll have to pay if something happens, or if I want a simple doctor's visit. But Paul says we can do all things through God who gives us strength!
Verse 6 of chapter 4 says, "Don't worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving." Ah, if only it were that easy.
The beginning of chapter 3 confused me a little bit. Paul boasts about his human qualifications: circumcised, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, blameless by the law, etc. But verse 7 says, "But the things that used to be advantages for me, I have, because of the Messiah, come to consider a disadvantage." It seems like he's saying that all of those things were disadvantages to him. If we took just Philippians 3, we could make that assumption, but it seems contradictory to other things he says.
For example, Romans 7:12, "So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good." And also 1 Timothy 1:8, "We know that the law is good if one uses it properly."
Also, I don't think he would consider following the law of Moses a human qualification. He believes it comes straight from the word of God (Romans 7:14, "For we know that the law is spiritual."). Perhaps in verse 6 he's referring to the oral Torah, the Torah built up by the sages throughout time. And in verse 5, when he says he was a Pharisee - that wasn't a title found in the Torah itself, but made by men. It was a human title.
But he cast all of this off for the Messiah. Instead of depending on how men said he was worthy, he relied on the Messiah's grace and love. Yikes, we've got all kinds of self-important things today. Titles from men, things that we do so others will consider us righteous (things not found in the bible), relying on what men say about us and our righteousness.
Throughout this whole letter, Paul calls for unity and love. I think he would have really liked some aspects of the hippie movement. Setting aside differences, coming together for a common purpose.
"Therefore, if you have any encouragement for me from your being in union with the Messiah, any comfort flowing from love, any fellowship with me in the Spirit, or any compassion and sympathy, then complete my joy by having a common purpose and a common love, by being one in heart and mind. Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves - look out for each other's interests and not just for your own." ~Phil. 2:1-4
*verses taken from the NIV and David Stern's Complete Jewish Bible.
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