A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Galatians 4:24
The Greek word for allegory is allegoreo; meaning to speak allegorically., or to allegorize. from Allos and agoreo (to harangue (compare agora)) to allegorize be an allegory. (the Greek word itself) Matthew 27:42 He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross and we will believe Him. This is what Paul is saying about the allegory of the Law from Sinai which leads to bondage, for it cannot save us, it only condemns us. That is why Jesus could not come down from the cross to save Himself, for He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. That is what Sarah the promise comes from, the seed of Abraham Isacc the firstborn. Jesus is the firstborn the only begotten of the Father full of truth and glory. What a beautiful picture this is of salvation, for there is one name given unto us, Jesus Christ the righteous One. No man comes unto the Father but by Him. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thine house.
#Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Galatians 4:21
The Greek word for desire is thelo; meaning to will, wish, be disposed toward, or intend. Which are otherwise obsolete; strengthened from the alternate form of Haireomai; to determine; whereas Boulomai; properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations. Revelation 11:5 And if any man hurts them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies and if any man hurts them, he must in this manner be killed. Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? Saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Paul is like unto these witnesses who will have the power to use flames of fire from their mouths to stop their enemies. The word of God is a fire and a hammer. The Judieazers want to keep the Galatians under the law, and Paul wants them to live in the Liberty of grace that has freed them from the Mosiac law. This is an allegory of Hagar, which is the flesh, and Sarah who represents the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hegar is the bond woman and she is not heir to the promises of Abraham. Today, we are divided as the Galatians were divided over keeping the law to be saved. The law is our schoolmaster who leads us to Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ completed the law and redeemed us from the curses of the law in His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection.
#I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you. Galatians 4:20
The Greek word for doubt is Aporeo; meaning to be at a loss or perplexed. From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and the base of Poreuomai; to have no way out, i.e. Be at a loss (mentally) Mark 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and a holy and observed him and when he heard him, he did many things and heard him gladly. This is what God does when we walk with Him and live a holy life, God will give us favor with men. Paul has reservations about the Galatians because they have been bewitched by false doctrine and doubts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to prove all things and make our election stand sure that we are in the faith. Jesus said my sheep hear my voice, and a stranger's voice they will not follow. We must read the Word of God every day and pray to the Lord and if we ask anything according to His will He will hear us. The will of God is for all men to be saved, so let us seek and save the lost. When we do this, we are doing our Father's business. May the Lord bless you and keep you, shine His face upon you, and give you peace.
#My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, Galatians 4:19
The Greek word for travail is Odino; meaning to have birth pangs. From Odin; to experience the pains of parturition (literally or figuratively) Revelation 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth and pained to be delivered. This great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars; This is the nation Israel. Paul is in pain for the Galatians as our Heavenly Father is in pain for the Nation Israel. God is calling out a people for His own, consisting of Jews and Gentiles. When the Church age is complete, God will turn His agenda to Israel in the seventieth week of Jacob's trouble. Jesus said to the pregnant women to pray that your birth would not come in the winter, for there will be great tribulation. The Church has not been appointed unto wrath, but that we would obtain salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel will be brought back in covenant relation with the Father when they say Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. This is what Paul is travailing for the Galatians.
#But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good way, and not only when I am present with you. Galatians 4:18
The Greek word for zealous: is Zeloo meaning covet earnestly. In a good sense, to imitate emulously. To burn with zeal. We must have zeal with knowledge of the word of God. Paul is concerned that the Galatians have zeal without knowing the word of God.
#They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. Galatians 4:17
The Greek word for Zeloo: means to be jealous and to covet earnestly. From Zelos; to have the warmth of feeling for or against. to envy. Intransitive to be full of zeal for good. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. The Lord Jesus has just issued a strong rebuke to the lukewarm church to repent, for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and if we are without chastening we are bastards, not sons. This is what Paul is warning the Galatians about the Judieazers seeking to exclude you with the false doctrine. The chastening of the present time is not joyous, but grievous, nevertheless, it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness to those exercised thereby. So seek ye the Lord and call upon Him with your whole heart. Buy gold tried in the fire and be hot or cold, not lukewarm.
#Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Galatians 4:16
The Greek word for truth is Aletheuo; meaning to speak the truth. From Alethes; to be true (in doctrine and profession) speak the truth. Ephesians 4:15,16 But speaking the truth in love may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Jesus said if ye abide in my word and keep my commandments ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. It has been said every pastor should put this verse in his study to remind him that not all people love to hear the truth and that you will make some enemies by preaching the gospel. What is the gospel? The good news is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried in baptism, and was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the whole duty of mankind, to glorify God and keep His commandments. Jesus said if you love Me, you will keep my commandments. They are not burdensome. So you are responsible for the truth, when you hear it, and the whole body is edified when we speak the truth in love.
#Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record, that if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me. Galatians 4:15
The Greek word for blessedness; is Makarismos; meaning a declaration of blessedness. From Makarizo; beatification, i.e. Attribution of good fortune. Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. Paul is telling the Galatians of the faith, as was the blessedness of Abraham for righteousness, and their love for him was such that they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to me. This gives us a hint of what the thorn in the flesh was to Paul, perhaps some eye affliction he received on the road to Damascus when the Lord Jesus Christ saved him. I thank God for the love I have received from others with the IV antibiotics I am receiving. It is a blessing to be loved and cared for, as Paul has been. The scripture tells us to do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith. For we will reap a blessing if we faint not.
#And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Galatians 4:14
The Greek word for temptation is Peirasmos; meaning an experiment or a trial. From Peirazo; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good) experience (of evil) solicitation, discipline or provocation)1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Peter is telling us that our trials come with exceeding joy when Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven. Do not waste your sufferings. As Paul learned to depend upon the grace of God. James said count it all joy when diverse trials come into our lives, knowing that the trying our faith produces patience. The Galatians were patient with Paul and his thorn in the flesh, and we too must be patient when God gives us a thorn in the flesh to humble us to keep us from being exalted above measure with self-esteem.
#Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Galatians 4:13
The Greek word for infirmity is Astheneia; meaning weakness and frailty. From Asthenes; feebleness (of mind or body) by implication, malady, sickness 1 Corinthians 15:43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. Paul is commending the Galatians for extending the right hand of fellowship in accepting his thorn in the flesh and looks forward to the gloried body it is sown in weakness, and it is raised in power. We will be just like Jesus for we will see Him as He is. Paul prayed to the Lord to take away his thorn in the flesh three times, but Jesus answered him My grace is sufficient, my strength is made visible in weakness. Paul then said much more will I glory in my weakness so that the power of Christ will be upon me.