The Trinity in Galatians.

[All Becomes New]

Hello!

I thought I would make a post about this since I recently wrote a blog about it on my website about this topic.

The basic argument goes like this:

We start here:

Galatians 3:11 ESV ““The righteous shall live by faith.””

What is our faith in?

Galatians 2:16 ESV
“yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

So our faith is in Christ. Christ is the content of the promise of our faith as it is written,

Galatians 3:16 ESV
“Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.”

And this comes by the Spirit, as it is written,

Galatians 3:14 ESV
“so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”

Notice then that when it says, "the promised Spirit" it speaks of the Spirit as the definite article, not "a Spirit" but "the Spirit". It is by the Spirit that one has faith in Christ. If Paul is talking about the Spirit of the person, then he would have said "a Spirit" but instead, he says, "the Spirit."

Next, this is very important.

Galatians 3:2–6 ESV
“Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?”

Who supplies the Spirit? It is Christ!

Galatians 4:6 ESV
“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

We might then say the promise of Christ, which is the content of the promise (Galatians 3:16) was given from the Father, as it is written,

Galatians 1:3–5 ESV
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Last thing, which I think is interesting.

Galatians 3:20 ESV
“Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.”

So it is that there is more than one intermediary (as God) but "God is one."

And that is my argument for the Trinity in Galatians!

 

[Minister Monardo]

Galatians 3:20 ESV
“Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.”

Scriptures relating to your post. Nice thread!
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator
between God and men,
the Man Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 5:
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

[All Becomes New]

Scriptures relating to your post. Nice thread!
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator
between God and men,
the Man Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 5:
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Thanks for your post. One thing though... If it is said in Galatians that Jesus is God, which I think that is what it is saying, then the only human who is God is Christ as the Bible puts such importance on Christ that it does not seem to be saying we attain Godhood. Now, if that is all correct, then it makes little sense to say God is two and not three because what then do you do with the Spirit? As I've said, the Spirit is One, and if the Spirit is One, then it does not make sense to call the Spirit a "thing" or "force". As an aside, Christ is the mediator, but it is the Spirit that facilitates this. That is why it says "Intermediary" and not "mediator".

 

[Minister Monardo]

It is by the Spirit that one has faith in Christ.

“Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Watch this brother Jesse.
Statement 1 says we receive faith by the Spirit.
Statement 2 says we receive the Spirit by faith.
How are we to reconcile this?
John 16:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

We receive faith, and the Spirit by believing the Gospel, assuming
it was by a faithful minister of the Truth. The Holy Spirit is our
helper by the convictions of the conscience, by which we continue
to walk in the Spirit.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Corinthians 1:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Therefore the missing element that ties this together is
the faithful preaching of the Gospel. May you be so called
and anointed for the ministry of reconciliation.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

 

[All Becomes New]

Watch this brother Jesse.
Statement 1 says we receive faith by the Spirit.
Statement 2 says we receive the Spirit by faith.
How are we to reconcile this?
John 16:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

We receive faith, and the Spirit by believing the Gospel, assuming
it was by a faithful minister of the Truth. The Holy Spirit is our
helper by the convictions of the conscience, by which we continue
to walk in the Spirit.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
1 Corinthians 1:
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

Therefore the missing element that ties this together is
the faithful preaching of the Gospel. May you be so called
and anointed for the ministry of reconciliation.

How does this fit into that?

Galatians 4:6 ESV
“God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

 

[Minister Monardo]

Thanks for your post. One thing though... If it is said in Galatians that Jesus is God, which I think that is what it is saying, then the only human who is God is Christ as the Bible puts such importance on Christ that it does not seem to be saying we attain Godhood.

Agreed.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Why is it appropriate to call Jesus our God?
Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Now, if that is all correct, then it makes little sense to say God is two and not three because what then do you do with the Spirit? As I've said, the Spirit is One, and if the Spirit is One, then it does not make sense to call the Spirit a "thing" or "force".

Agreed.

As an aside, Christ is the mediator, but it is the Spirit that facilitates this. That is why it says "Intermediary" and not "mediator".

A mediator is by definition an intermediary, so don't get
caught up in semantics. There is more than one way to
describe a "go-between". Like that.
The Son sends the Holy Spirit to facilitate the intermediation.
So as the Son is the intermediary between God and man,
the Holy Spirit is the intermediary between man and Christ,
or to put another way, between the head and his body, as
well as between the members of the body. Thus, He is the
Spirit of Unity. Ephesians 4:3
1 Corinthians 3:
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Minister Monardo]

How does this fit into that?

Galatians 4:6 ESV
“God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

You have already answered that yourself, brother.
God is One. Did you somehow think I was trying to argue
with you about the Trinity? No, I was sharing scriptures,
going deeper in fellowship. If you can receive it.
In this passage, Paul refers to Him as "the Spirit of adoption".
He therefore has many names. And as we have agreed He is
not an it, a force, etc...He is the very person of God, the
allos paracletos=another helper. allos, another=one of the same,
not another who is different.

 

[Minister Monardo]

How does this fit into that?

Galatians 4:6 ESV
“God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

Again, don't get caught up in the different ways the Trinity
is expressed.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Galatians 4:6 God has sent.
John 16:7 I will send.
How do we reconcile this? God is One.

 

[All Becomes New]

A mediator is by definition an intermediary, so don't get
caught up in semantics. There is more than one way to
describe a "go-between". Like that.
The Son sends the Holy Spirit to facilitate the intermediation.
So as the Son is the intermediary between God and man,
the Holy Spirit is the intermediary between man and Christ,
or to put another way, between the head and his body, as
well as between the members of the body. Thus, He is the
Spirit of Unity. Ephesians 4:3

Sure, I can buy that - especially since if you keep reading in Ephesians, it gives a pretty fleshed out view of the Trinity anyways.

Ephesians 4:4–6 ESV
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Looks like one of the early creeds to me, but not entirely sure about that.

1 Corinthians 3:
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

What I like about these verses is that it does indeed show that Paul thought of God as a Trinity. I say this because of like verses where Paul basically says Christ is YHWH. In the same way he does that, he is saying "the Lord is the Spirit" as if to somewhat combined different depictions of God into one.

1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

Great verse!

 

[eleos1954]

Thanks for your post. One thing though... If it is said in Galatians that Jesus is God, which I think that is what it is saying, then the only human who is God is Christ as the Bible puts such importance on Christ that it does not seem to be saying we attain Godhood. Now, if that is all correct, then it makes little sense to say God is two and not three because what then do you do with the Spirit? As I've said, the Spirit is One, and if the Spirit is One, then it does not make sense to call the Spirit a "thing" or "force". As an aside, Christ is the mediator, but it is the Spirit that facilitates this. That is why it says "Intermediary" and not "mediator".

no ... we certainly DO NOT attain godhood ... we will never be devine.

The Holy Spirit is a person

The Bible provides many ways to help us understand that the Holy Spirit is truly a person—that is, He is a personal being, rather than an impersonal thing.

First, every pronoun used in reference to the Spirit is “he” not “it.” The original Greek language of the New Testament is explicit in confirming the person of the Holy Spirit. The word for “Spirit” (pneuma) is neuter and would naturally take neuter pronouns to have grammatical agreement.

Yet, in many cases, masculine pronouns are found (e.g., John 15:26; 16:13-14). Grammatically, there is no other way to understand the pronouns of the New Testament related to the Holy Spirit—He is referred to as a “He,” as a person.

Three persons in total harmony in love and purpose ... the three are one. The 3 are "linked" together

Christ is the only mediator (root word of immediate); the Holy Spirit is the intercessor. Christ alone died for our sins (Hebrews 1:1–2), making reconciliation with God possible (2 Corinthians 5:19).

The Holy Spirit did not die for our sins; He prays to the Father on our behalf, based on the redeeming work of Christ. Further, the intercession of the Holy Spirit is not in heaven, as Christ’s work is (1 John 2:1–2). Rather, it is in us. The indwelling Spirit pleads in us to the Father on the grounds of the mediating work of the Son.

 

[All Becomes New]

no ... we certainly DO NOT attain godhood ... we will never be devine.

The Holy Spirit is a person

The Bible provides many ways to help us understand that the Holy Spirit is truly a person—that is, He is a personal being, rather than an impersonal thing.

First, every pronoun used in reference to the Spirit is “he” not “it.” The original Greek language of the New Testament is explicit in confirming the person of the Holy Spirit. The word for “Spirit” (pneuma) is neuter and would naturally take neuter pronouns to have grammatical agreement.

Yet, in many cases, masculine pronouns are found (e.g., John 15:26; 16:13-14). Grammatically, there is no other way to understand the pronouns of the New Testament related to the Holy Spirit—He is referred to as a “He,” as a person.

Three persons in total harmony in love and purpose ... the three are one. The 3 are "linked" together

Christ is the only mediator (root word of immediate); the Holy Spirit is the intercessor. Christ alone died for our sins (Hebrews 1:1–2), making reconciliation with God possible (2 Corinthians 5:19).

I agree with all that.

The Holy Spirit did not die for our sins;

I am not sure why you said this.

 

[eleos1954]

I agree with all that.



I am not sure why you said this.

Because it is what helps us understand the difference between intermediate and intercessor

 

[All Becomes New]

Because it is what helps us understand the difference between intermediate and intercessor

What do you do with Galatians 3:20 where it says, "Now an intermediary implies more than one,"?

 

[eleos1954]

What do you do with Galatians 3:20 where it says, "Now an intermediary implies more than one,"?

Galatians 3:20 - the context is the law

A mediator is not a mediator of one.—The very idea of a mediator involves two parties at least therefore the Law involves two parties. In other words, it is a contract.

But God is one.—On the other hand, God, the giver of the promise, stands alone: therefore the promise is not a contract; and, resting on God, it is indefeasible.

Chapter summary

Paul indicates the Galatian Christians are foolish for believing they need to follow the law of Moses to be right with God (no contract required).

He offers three specific arguments to support this. First, they received God's Spirit in a powerful way after believing in Jesus, but before doing any works of the law.

Second, Scripture itself shows God's blessing coming by faith, and His curse coming by the law.

Christ paid the price of that curse on the cross.

Third, God's covenant with Abraham is like a legal document, and it cannot be revoked (indefeasible).

New Revised Standard Version
Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Everything is fulled in and through Christ.

 

[All Becomes New]

Galatians 3:20 - the context is the law

A mediator is not a mediator of one.—The very idea of a mediator involves two parties at least therefore the Law involves two parties. In other words, it is a contract.

But God is one.—On the other hand, God, the giver of the promise, stands alone: therefore the promise is not a contract; and, resting on God, it is indefeasible.

Chapter summary

Paul indicates the Galatian Christians are foolish for believing they need to follow the law of Moses to be right with God (no contract required).

He offers three specific arguments to support this. First, they received God's Spirit in a powerful way after believing in Jesus, but before doing any works of the law.

Second, Scripture itself shows God's blessing coming by faith, and His curse coming by the law.

Christ paid the price of that curse on the cross.

Third, God's covenant with Abraham is like a legal document, and it cannot be revoked (indefeasible).

New Revised Standard Version
Now a mediator involves more than one party; but God is one.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Everything is fulled in and through Christ.

Thanks, I will think about this. One final thing to note about this is that Paul does not say, "An intermediary means two" rather he says, "More than one."

 

[Clare73]

Hello!

I thought I would make a post about this since I recently wrote a blog about it on my website about this topic.

The basic argument goes like this:

We start here:

Galatians 3:11 ESV ““The righteous shall live by faith.””

What is our faith in?

Galatians 2:16 ESV
“yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

So our faith is in Christ. Christ is the content of the promise of our faith as it is written,

Galatians 3:16 ESV
“Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.”

And this comes by the Spirit, as it is written,

Galatians 3:14 ESV
“so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”

Notice then that when it says, "the promised Spirit" it speaks of the Spirit as the definite article, not "a Spirit" but "the Spirit". It is by the Spirit that one has faith in Christ. If Paul is talking about the Spirit of the person, then he would have said "a Spirit" but instead, he says, "the Spirit."

Next, this is very important.

Galatians 3:2–6 ESV
“Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?”

Who supplies the Spirit? It is Christ!

Galatians 4:6 ESV
“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!””

We might then say the promise of Christ, which is the content of the promise (Galatians 3:16) was given from the Father, as it is written,

Galatians 1:3–5 ESV
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Last thing, which I think is interesting.

Galatians 3:20 ESV
“Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.”

So it is that there is more than one intermediary (as God) but "God is one."

And that is my argument for the Trinity in Galatians!

Interesting. . .

However, Galatians 3:15-20 is a comparison of
God's unilateral covenant (only one party, God, covenanting) with Abraham,
and the bilateral covenant of Sinai between God and Israel (two parties covenanting),
establishing the priority of the promise of God in the Abrahamic covenant over
the Sinaitic covenant by law keeping of the people,
where the Abrahamic covenant depended only on the commitment from God (who is one), no mediator,
while the Sinaitic covenant depended on mutual commitment between God and the people, with Moses as mediator.

 

[All Becomes New]

Interesting. . .

However, Galatians 3:15-20 is a comparison of
God's unilateral covenant (only one party, God, covenanting) with Abraham,
and the bilateral covenant of Sinai between God and Israel (two parties covenanting),
establishing the priority of the promise of God in the Abrahamic covenant over
the Sinaitic covenant by law keeping of the people,
where the Abrahamic covenant depended only on the commitment from God (who is one), no mediator,
while the Sinaitic covenant depended on mutual commitment between God and the people, with Moses as mediator.

Thanks. My argument does not really hinge on the interpretation of talking about mediators, which was already discussed.

 

[Clare73]

Thanks. My argument does not really hinge on the interpretation of talking about mediators, which was already discussed.

Okay, but did it not hinge on:

"So it is that there is more than one intermediary (as God) but "God is one," i.e., there being multiple intermediaries, which there were not.
Moses was the only intermediary in the text regarding the two covenants.
"God is one" refers to their being no intermediary in the Abrahamic covenant.

 

[eleos1954]

Thanks, I will think about this. One final thing to note about this is that Paul does not say, "An intermediary means two" rather he says, "More than one."

k... just wanted to add something .... I would invite you to do an in depth study of the sanctuary ... it will help provide understanding. The earthly sanctuary gives us a picture of the plan of salvation ... that is .... Jesus work in the sanctuary in heaven (the real one) ... the entire purpose of the earthly sanctuary was pointing to Jesus and His work of high priest.

as far as the more than one .... the context is set regarding the law

Moses was the mediator .... he was high priest and the other (ones) would be that of the people of Israel. Through his priestly duties he intermediated through the sanctuary system. As high priest, He was the "go between" the Lord and the people of Israel (many) ... (and of course we know .... the earthly sanctuary did not of itself provide salvation .... that is only though Christ.) It did ... and does ... give us insight to the work of Jesus as our High Priest in heaven.

Promises .... built on better promises (through Christ) ....

Galations 3:20

New Living Translation
Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.

Hebrews 9:15
Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance (promised to Abraham), now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

May the Lord bless you through your studies. AMEN

 

[All Becomes New]

Okay, but did it not hinge on:

"So it is that there is more than one intermediary (as God) but "God is one," i.e., there being multiple intermediaries, which there were not.
Moses was the only intermediary in the text regarding the two covenants.
"God is one" refers to their being no intermediary in the Abrahamic covenant.

Nope. Does not hing on that. I only said that was "interesting" I didn't rest my whole case on that. My case is built on the thinking that the Father promised, Christ was the fulfillment of that promise, which we have faith in by the Spirit. The only thing that matters in relation to Galatians 3:20 is that it says, "God is one."