Peace And Mercy To All Who Follow This Rule To The Israel Of God.

What do you suppose the rule is ?

Hello Pilgrimshope,

What does Galatians 6:16 mean?
Coming to the end of his letter to the Galatians, Paul offers a benediction or a blessing to a specific group of people: "all who walk by this rule." The rule he has in mind is what he has just said in the previous verses: It doesn't matter if someone is circumcised; what matters is if someone is a new creation in Christ.

Paul has made the case, from the first words of this letter (Galatians 1:3–5), that being "in Christ" comes only by faith in Christ and His death for our sin on the cross. No component of works, rituals, or sacraments can obtain our salvation (Galatians 3:23–29). In fact, to rely on any aspect of works means not fully trusting in the finished work of Christ (Galatians 5:2–4). The "rule" we are to follow is that of faith in Christ, leading to submissive obedience through His Spirit.

To those in Galatia who follow that rule, Paul prays for peace and mercy. He also prays the same upon "the Israel of God." In Greek, as well as in English, Paul separates these two groups in praying his blessing. The growing body of Christians—the church—does not replace Israel. Even Paul, as shown here, sees them as separate entities.

What is your insight?

Love, Walter

I think he’s talking about the rule to love one another in our deeds and in truth and to follow that rule

sort of the same thing here

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He concludes this a lot that it’s all about how we treat other people John also summarizes the same

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:16-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

james also says the same thing John just said a different way

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:14-17‬ ‭

faith isn’t a reason not to do the works God is telling us will save us itnis to hear and believe what he’s saying and by faith do the works because you believe they will save you because he said it would a good example is Noah

God was going to destroy all flesh and everything that had breath with a flood d nothing big could do would change this he and his family were going to die with the earth but then he was saved by grace not of any work he did but because of this Gods grace

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

and through faith

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

god gives Noah grace but the. He tells Noah what’s coming and how to be safe when it does and Noah believes Gods warning and follows his instructions and is saved by faith inheriting righteousness of faith not law

See Noah was told about the flood and instructed by Gods word how to be ready and safe and he believed God so he obeyed

“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
( detailed instructions ) then a promise

And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.
( more instructions )


Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:13-14, 17-18, 22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

noah was saved by grace through faith all he actually did was believed Gods word to him and acted like he believed it so he built the ark because he believed the end was coming and that would save him and his family and it did grace first through faith

Faith hears what Jesus says will save a persons soul and believes it and so of course if they believe they will do it and be saved according to what he said

faith isn’t the reason we don’t need to hear what he said will save us and then not do it though grace is the only source of salvation but faith is the only means of salvation and that comes from hearing and believing Gods word and acting as if we believe it

We couldn’t save ourselves but he was gracious and gave us an atonement and the truth that will save us is we believe him not o my that he died and rose that’s definately essential doctrine too but also what he said about salvstion is essential doctrine

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:16-17‬ ‭

The gospel that Jesus preached is Gods word of faith things like this if we’re like Noah and believe we’re going to simply just act in that belief because we believe

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

faith comes by hearing the word of God. See Jesus said this just before he ascended to heaven this is going to impact a believer one way that hears Jesus say this and then it will impact someone else a different way a skeptic for instance not looking for faith

jesus spent a lot of time explaining the world would end in disaster and fire , then explained how to be saved and sent that message out to the world promising salvation to believers


I’m not sure that makes sense but all we really need to do is believe in Jesus according to the four gospels presentation of him what he said and did and that he died and rose and the promises he made of life after death

nothing the law said the law of works can save anyone or never could but what Jesus says in the gospel can save souls

It is the source of life like his blood of the new covenant so is his word of life

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

just my own thoughts though you guys are always appreciated for sure !!

“being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:24-28, 31‬ ‭

There are two laws moses law of works and then the law of life and liberty the word of God the gospel that saves souls

“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:21-22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

things like this that Jesus taught are really really important too

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

( instruction and promise )

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged:

condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:

forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall be given into your bosom.

( summary )

For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

( later exhortation and invitation by our lord to obedience to act like we believe act in faith not a club to beat us with but an intriguing question to a believers hesrt and core )
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:35-38, 46‬ ‭

a and the believer asks themself “ why don’t I obey him if I call him lord ?” Why don’t I even know what he said will save me if I trust in him for salvation ? Did he ever say “ you don’t need to learn from me and obey ? Or did he always say if you hear me and follow me and jeep
My word I will give you eternal
Life ? The way he preaches is made of faith it goes to our mind and heart calling us forth confronting us at times prodding us to act and move at points comforting and assuring us at other points

there’s an aspect to the gospel that’s a refiners fire and a fullers soap it cleanses us within and that cleanses us outwardly making us a new creation through letting the gospel change our minds from sinners to children of God

Its the law of faith because it’s instruction and then a great promise that will result if believed and sought after

“But without faith it is impossible to please him:

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭

jesus teaches us what God wants and what he promises in return

The Climax of Galatians is the following in my opinion:

Galatians 5:22-23

New King James Version

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of God's Spirit summarizes the nature of our gracious God that we share as well. We don't have to worry about living according to the law because through God's grace and power, we are living as He desires. We are children who are grateful to fulfill His will by striving to live as Christ did. We don't have to worry about works either--"the fruit of the Spirit" takes care of that for us if we are willing.

Wednesday 3-22-23 4th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle Adar 29, 5783 3rd. Spring Day

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Footnotes

1. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
2. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to

Love, Walter and Debbie

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone

14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

This is what I love about Paul: he cuts through all the nonsense and keeps his focus on Jesus. A major theme of his mission and ministry was the "simplicity" (II Cor. 11:3) in the cross of Christ. Although he was a brilliant scholar, he avoided the trappings of intellectual vanity, pride and prestige. Paul simply planted his roots in Jesus Christ--His life, death, resurrection, and promised return.

The phrase, "...the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" packs quite a punch. It reminds me that I am in this world, but through Christ I am also not of this world. I am here to serve the Lord, my family, and the people and organizations who are a part of my life. Ultimately, however, my will should be focused on doing God's will as Jesus and Paul did during their lives (I have a long way to go by the way...! ). It's a life of service and sacrifice--the ultimate sacrifice of suffering and dying if that's what glorifies God, prepares me for eternity with Him, and has the biggest impact within my circle of influence in the world.

living disciples of the living Jesus in our hearts through faith

Inspiring posting, Pilgrimshope!

It really is an awesome calling we've been given, and the beauty is we're not alone trying to accomplish the impossible.

Paul certainly wasn't a sissy (old term for "weak"). The expectations are very clear for us as Christians to take up our crosses and witness to this world as he makes very clear in his epistles. Way too much for this simple soul to accomplish on his own strength. But, as you so effectively expressed, it's Jesus living within our hearts to give us the faith, inspiration, and strength we need to fulfill His will for our lives.

Thank you for your thoughtful and in-depth response!

SF

The growing body of Christians—the church—does not replace Israel.