Galatians 6; Crucifixion on the Brain I

"My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads. 6 Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher. 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. 8 If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. 11 See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised—only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which* the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! 16 As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body. 18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen."

Introduction

Just as you can tell a person's musical taste by thumbing through his/her CD collection, so you can tell what really is on Paul's mind by paying close attention to the words he uses. He is such an insightful and driven person that at times his heart is "on his sleeve." But even when we learn the words that "make him tick," we are not always sure what he is saying. That is a little how I feel upon concluding our tour of Galatians this week. There are at least two very clear and important concepts that come from the passage just quoted, and I will deal with those below ("bearing the burden" and "sowing and reaping"), but these pieces of useful advice occur in what I call the "Crucifixion Context" of Galatians. Let's begin there.

Paul and Crucifixion in Galatians

There is no doubt that Jesus' crucifixion was the biggest "scandal" of the early Church. Why was it done? What was its meaning? Who was responsible for this act of injustice? The Gospel authors use the verb stauroo and the noun stauros (crucify and cross) about six times each to describe the events of Jesus' death. But, surprisingly enough, the cross isn't much mentioned throughout the rest of the NT, except in Paul's writings. Usually when Paul mentions the cross in writings outside of Galatians, it is simply what we might call a "historical" reference--referring to the fact of Jesus' death. For example, he says in I Cor. 1:13, "Was Paul crucified for you?" or, in I Cor. 1:23, "We preach Christ crucified..." He speaks of the cross about nine or so times in all his writings outside of Galatians.

But when we get to Galatians, actually Paul's earliest letter, we see that the the concept of crucifixion and the image of the cross has taken on a very fluid significance. It becomes removed or loosed from its original historical referent and is linked to the Christian life. In this one short letter Paul refers to the cross almost as much as he does in the rest of his letters combined. Let's look at the references:

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (2:19-20).

"You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly exhibited as crucified" (3:1).

"But my friends, why am I still being persecuted if I am still preaching circumcision? In that case the offense (i.e., scandal) of the cross has been removed" (5:11).

"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (5:24).

"It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised--only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ" (6:12).

"May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (6:14).

The next essay reflects on this terminology, as well as on two other points.

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