Galatians 3

Galatians 3:1

Praying us with much intreaty. They insisted on doing more than the apostle felt that they ought to do.

Galatians 3:2

And [this they did], not as we had hoped. The thought is that they exceeded our hope. They consecrated themselves, and hence, held that all they had was the Lord’s. When church members give their own selves to the Lord, there will be no complaint that their money is withheld.

Galatians 3:3

We desired Titus, that as he had begun. This faithful fellow laborer of Paul, when he had gone to Corinth when Paul’s first epistle was sent, had begun the collection which it commanded in 1 Corinthians 16:1. So he would also finish in you. Now Paul directs that Titus return and complete the collection before the arrival of Paul (Acts 20:1-3). The same grace also. The grace of giving.

Galatians 3:4

As ye abound in every [thing]. Instead of Macedonia setting the example to Corinth, the latter ought to have led. The church was rich in gifts. See 1 Corinthians 1:5.

Galatians 3:5

I speak not by commandment. He levies no tax by command. The giving must be free and cheerful in order to be blessed. He encourages them by occasion of the forwardness of others, the example of the Macedonian brethren, and by that of Christ.

Galatians 3:6

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the chiefest of motives to giving. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor. Our Lord gave up all for us. He became poor that we might be rich in heavenly riches. If he gave himself for us, what shall we give for him? Compare Philippians 2:7. Christ parted with riches and took poverty; with glory and took humiliation; with bliss and took suffering, all for our sakes. The passage compares Christ’s pre-existent state with that he had on earth.

Galatians 3:7

Herein I give [my] advice. Not a “commandment” (2 Corinthians 8:8), but advice. For this is expedient for you. That is, that it is expedient to complete the work begun “a year ago”, or as we would say, “last year”.

Galatians 3:8

Therefore, finish the doing [of it]. Finish it up. As there was “a readiness to will”, let there be “a performance” by giving out of what “you have”.

Galatians 3:9

For if there is first a willing mind. The willing mind had been shown in the readiness “to will”. The willing mind is essential to the acceptance of the gift. If there be this pre-requisite, then God accepts the gift and measures it according to a man’s means.

Galatians 3:10

[I mean] not that other men should be eased. I wish all to give according to what they have, other churches as well as you. And ye burdened. Nor do I mean to burden you that the saints at Jerusalem may be at ease.

Galatians 3:11

But by an equality. There is a lack at Jerusalem; let your abundance supply it. So, too, if you be in want, they must supply it if they have abundance. That there may be equality. The church is a band of loving brethren. Where one lacks, others should supply, that all may be equally provided.

Galatians 3:12

As it is written. In Exodus 16:18. He that [had gathered] much had nothing over, etc. When the manna fell, whatever each individual gathered, there was found to be, on measuring, “an omer to a man” (Exodus 16:16). So brotherly love is to effect such a distribution that no saint will be in want, and none have what is superfluous.

Galatians 3:13

But thanks [be] to God. Because Titus is ready to return to Corinth and help in the work.

Galatians 3:14

For indeed he accepted the exhortation. Readily accepted the work when Paul suggested it; nay more, of his own accord he went unto you, he desired and chose it.

Galatians 3:15

We have sent with him the brother. Two brethren are sent with Titus. These are not named, and we can only conjecture who they were. As 2 Corinthians 8:19 says that he “was chosen of the churches to travel with us in this grace”, and as Acts 20:4 says that the Macedonian brethren, Sopater, Aristarchus and Secundus did travel with him to Jerusalem, one of these is probably meant. Many have held that Luke was the person, nor is this improbable.

Galatians 3:16

Chosen of the churches to travel with us. Paul desired, for the reasons given in 2 Corinthians 8:20,21, that the churches should send along messengers in charge of their gifts.

Galatians 3:17

That no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us. There were evil-minded persons who might charge that the apostle had used the gifts of his own advantage unless the messengers could report just how the funds were used.

Galatians 3:18

Providing for honest things. Paul was careful to provide what was honest, in the sight of the Lord, for his conscience’ sake, and in the sight of men for his work’s sake.

Galatians 3:19

We have sent with them our brother. With Titus and the brother named in 2 Corinthians 8:18. The brother referred to here and commended so highly is nowhere named.

Galatians 3:20

If [any do enquire] of Titus . . . or our brethren. The commendation given of these three brethren is official. My partner and fellow-helper. Titus had long been a fellow laborer, and had recently visited Corinth. The messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ. The other two were messengers of the Macedonian churches. Not only of the churches, but of the glory of Christ, the Lord’s messengers to show forth his glory in a great work of mercy.

Galatians 3:21

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches. Since these are representative men, delegates of the churches, and of Christ, receive them cordially. Give proof of your love, and show that when we have boasted of your excellencies that our boasting was not empty. An ill reputation would not only reflect upon the churches, but upon Paul himself.

Galatians 3:23

Liberal and Cheerful Giving SUMMARY OF II CORINTHIANS 9: The Reason for Sending Titus to Corinth. Giving a Sowing. An Abundant Harvest to the Cheerful and Liberal Giver. The Unspeakable Gift. The ministering to the saints. Contributions to supply their needs. It is superfluous for me to write to you. They were fully instructed, and had begun the work. Yet he does write and explain why in 2 Corinthians 9:3.

Galatians 3:24

I know the forwardness of your mind. “I know your readiness” (Revised Version). This is why it seemed superfluous to write. Achaia was ready a year ago. The churches of the province of Achaia, of which Corinth was the capital. The province embraced all southern Greece, including Athens and Cenchrea. They had begun the collection “a year ago” (2 Corinthians 8:10).

Galatians 3:25

Yet have I sent the brethren. See 2 Corinthians 8:17,18,22. He sent them so that they would surely be prepared when he came.

Galatians 3:26

Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me. Luke named certain brethren of Macedonia who did attend him (Acts 20:4). And find you unprepared, we . . . should be ashamed. If these should find Corinth unprepared with the collection when Paul came, after what he had said, it would fill him with shame.

Galatians 3:27

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren. Hence, he thought it needful to send the brethren that the work might surely be conducted to completion, and the collection ready. As [a matter of] bounty. As a free gift, cheerfully bestowed. And not as [of] covetousness. Not something extorted from them: “and not of extortion” (Revised Version).

Galatians 3:28

He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, etc. Giving is not a sacrifice, but rather a sowing. As the farmer gives his seed to the earth, and then reaps as he has sown, so giving is a sowing. If there is a spare sowing, there will be spare reaping; if liberal sowing, liberal reaping. See the same principle expressed in Exodus 25:2 1 Chronicles 29:14,17 Psalms 102:9 Lu 6:38 Acts 20:35. The lesson of this verse is, give generously. The next verse teaches how to give.

Galatians 3:29

Not grudgingly, or of necessity. Where one gives by compulsion, or to secure popular applause, or grudgingly, he is not approved. For God loveth a cheerful giver. The giving must be “cheerful”. It is the cheerful giver whom the Lord loves.