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The narrative lectionary sermon series on Ephesians does not actually include what are probably the letter’s best-known verses, though one imagines it might not be difficult to find at least one occasion during a month of sermons to cite them! They offer the content of the letter in miniature: For by grace you have been … Continue reading “Ephesians 1:1-14; 2:11-22; 4:1-16; 6:10-20 Commentary by Mary Hinkle Shore”

Freedom in Community (6:1-10) In the first part of chapter six, Paul continues describing what life in community looks like when we live in the freedom Christ gives and use that freedom to serve one another. Paul offers the example of dealing with a member of the community detected in a transgression. “You who have … Continue reading “Galatians 6:[1-6]7-16 Commentary by Elisabeth Johnson”

The lectionary chooses both to make optional the first six verses in the chapter and to eliminate the final two verses, perhaps hoping to make the passage slightly less difficult to interpret. That hope is not to be fulfilled. You may wish to include verses 1-6 and/or 17-18 in your preaching preparation for this text. … Continue reading “Galatians 6:[1-6]7-16 Commentary by Sarah Henrich”

The specific verses from our pericope for this week upon which we will focus is one of a cluster of three texts found scattered throughout Paul’s letter to the Galatians, which may profitably be considered, and preached, together. Paul’s personal witness to Christian faith: Galatians 6:14-15 In this first text, Paul offers his personal witness … Continue reading “Galatians 6:[1-6]7-16 Commentary by Alicia Vargas”

Resisting the Yoke of Slavery Through his allegorical interpretation of the story of Hagar and Sarah in chapter four, Paul has argued that in Christ, God has made us children of the free woman and not the slave woman. In 5:1, Paul sums up the point of his allegory and introduces the discussion that follows: … Continue reading “Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Commentary by Elisabeth Johnson”

After his awkward, self-identified allegory of Hagar and Sarah (Galatians 4:22-31) in which freedom was connected with the idea of being an heir (4:30-31) and both freedom and heir connected with being the child promised to Abraham and Sarah, Paul seems to draw breath only to issue his ringing call in a resounding repetition of … Continue reading “Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Commentary by Sarah Henrich”

The first verse of our text for this week includes a reiteration of the great theme of Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “For freedom Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). Then, verses 13-25 will set out the nature, meaning, and parameters of that freedom. Freedom to love one another Paul has already insisted that … Continue reading “Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Commentary by Alicia Vargas”

Besides being the second reading for the first Sunday of Christmas, this passage is assigned for “The Feast of Mary, Mother of Our Lord” on August 15th. For those who may have missed Mary’s feast day or any who are inclined to take this lesson as an opportunity for a meditation on Mary, feel free. … Continue reading “Galatians 4:4-7 Commentary by Hans Wiersma”

While Paul’s letters do not relate any narrative traditions about Jesus’ birth, he does speak profoundly about the meaning of the incarnation. This passage from Galatians 4 reflects on God’s sending of his Son in the context of a larger theological argument about what it means to be children of God and co-heirs with Christ. … Continue reading “Galatians 4:4-7 Commentary by Elisabeth Johnson”

The choice of this text as a reading for during the on-going celebration of Christmas is appropriate. In four verses, Paul describes in succinct prose the salvific design of the Christ event. A paraphrase of these verses, incorporating other elements of Galatians and 2 Corinthians might go something like this: “The transcendent God, in complete … Continue reading “Galatians 4:4-7 Commentary by Erik Heen”