Galatians 5:16-26
Learning to Walk
Bad Works (vv. 19-21, 26)
Good Fruit (vv. 22-23)
How to Walk (vv. 16-18, 24-25)
Due to technical difficulties, there is not a video recording of this sermon.
A follow-up email sent from Pastor Jeff Lacine to the church on September 12th, 2024:
“Dear Brothers and Sisters of Sellwood Church,
A question was raised at the Sunday evening sermon Q&A about Galatians 5:24 that caused me to give that verse further consideration and study. Please bear with me as I speak briefly to a matter of Greek grammar.
In my sermon, I wrongly implied that the tense of the Greek verb behind the words “have crucified” in 5:24 connoted a past completed action with ongoing effects (perfect tense), just like the Greek verb behind “have been crucified” in Galatians 2:20. I was mistaken. Though the Greek verb in Galatians 2:20 is perfect tense, the Greek verb in 5:24 is not. Rather, the verb in 5:24 appears in the aorist tense. While the aorist tense is like the perfect tense in that it most often connotes past action (when it appears in the Greek indicative mood as it does here), the aorist tense is more generic than the perfect tense because it doesn’t speak to whether the action was completed, repeated, or is an ongoing process.
Additionally, the Greek verb in 2:20 is in the passive voice, communicating that Paul is being acted upon: “I have been crucified [implied: “by someone else”].” The Greek verb in 5:24 is in the active voice, communicating that those who belong to Christ are the ones doing the crucifying of their own "flesh with its passions and desires."
Acknowledging this error has caused me to reconsider my interpretation of the verse. I have come to agree with much of what Dr. Timothy George says in his Christian Standard Commentary on Galatians 5:24:
“Many commentators interpret [this verse] in terms of Paul’s earlier testimony of having been crucified with Christ and made alive through faith (2:20). The language in these two passages is strikingly similar, but there is a noticeable difference… In Gal 2:20… We have been crucified with Christ in that he died in our place on the cross and on the basis of which we are declared righteous by God through faith. In 5:24, however,... Crucifixion of the flesh is described here not as something done to us but rather something done by us. Believers themselves are the agents of this crucifixion. Paul was here describing the process of mortification, the daily putting to death of the flesh…”
While this does not take away from the main point of the sermon I preached, I wanted to acknowledge this error to you, pointing you to the finished work described in Galatians 2:20 as the basis for walking by the Spirit in Galatians 5:25 — looking to Christ day by day, thereby putting to death sinful passions and desires.
Even as the Lord first made us alive by his Spirit through faith, may he grant us all grace to live by faith and walk according to his Spirit! He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
With you in the gospel,
Pastor Jeff Lacine”
Discussion Questions
Read Galatians 5:16-26 & Review the Sermon: What was the main argument and the supporting points of the sermon?
Discuss Insights Gained: Was there any new understanding or clarity you gained from this sermon? Are there ways that you better understand God and his ways because of the way he has revealed himself in this text of Scripture? Explain.
Relate It to the Gospel: How did the preacher relate this passage of Scripture to the person and work of Jesus Christ? Are there other ways that this passage also points us to the person and work of Christ? Explain.
Confess Sin: Is there any sin that God exposed through the preaching of God’s word, through other parts of the worship service, or at any other parts of the week, that you should confess?
Consider How You Should Respond to God’s Word: How is God calling you, personally, to respond to this message on Galatians 5:16-26? Be as specific as possible.
Consider Corporate Application: How does this passage and sermon apply to the life and mission of our church?
Invite the Church Into Your Life: How can other people in the church pray for you and help you in your resolve to respond to God’s word in this way? Are there practical ways others can help you? Explain.
