Christian Living / Controversies in the Church

  • Severed from Christ

    Galatians 5:2–4

    Martin Luther says that Galatians 5:2 “is a touchstone, whereby we may most certainly and freely judge all doctrines, works, religions, and ceremonies of all men.” Any of these that promise righteousness and salvation through them are to be ...Read More

  • Freedom in Christ

    Galatians 5:1

    It can be easy to forget the freedom we have in Christ and let our fear that we will never serve God as precisely as He desires keep us from serving other people. We are covered with Christ’s blood ...Read More

  • The Slavery of the Flesh

    Galatians 4:8–11

    Martin Luther writes, “Whoever then seeketh righteousness by the law, imagining that God being angry and threatening must be pacified with works, can never find so many good works as are able to quiet his conscience, but still desires more ...Read More

  • Adoption in Christ Jesus

    Galatians 4:4–5

    Augustine comments on the differences between us and Jesus: “We are sons of God through his generosity and the condescension of his mercy, whereas he is Son by nature, sharing the same divinity with the Father” (Ancient Christian Commentary on ...Read More

  • Former Slaves

    Galatians 4:1–3

    Matthew Henry comments that in Christ the era of slavery is over, for “the time appointed by the Father having come, we are under a dispensation of greater light and liberty.” If we try to earn our place before God ...Read More

  • Women Servants

    1 Timothy 3:11

    Reformed Christians who affirm Scripture’s final authority continue to differ over whether women may be ordained as deacons. What is not up for debate is that the traits Paul lists in 1 Timothy 3:11 should be true of ...Read More

  • Order in Creation

    1 Timothy 2:13-14

    As we consider the many cries for equality in our day, we must always test them against the authority of Scripture. Equality of worth is not grounded in the ability for men and women to serve in any office they ...Read More

  • Female Authority

    1 Timothy 2:11-12

    Dr. John MacArthur says, “Paul is forbidding women from filling the office and role of the pastor or teacher. He is not prohibiting them from teaching in other appropriate conditions and circumstances” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,783). All ...Read More

  • The Gospel of God’s Glory

    1 Timothy 1:11

    Matthew Henry writes, “Much of the glory of God appears in the works of creation and providence, but much more in the gospel, where it shines in the face of Jesus Christ.” True preaching of the gospel must include news ...Read More

  • The Law and the Lawless

    1 Timothy 1:9-10

    There are innumerable ways the Law is not used lawfully. Some try to find a secret code by counting letters and numbers. Some try to base a weight-loss program on the food laws in the Torah. Others read the Law ...Read More

  • The Goodness of the Law

    1 Timothy 1:8

    Matthew Henry reveals one of the lawful uses of the Torah when he says that “the law is still very useful as a rule of life.” Paul will point us to the Law as a guide to ethical behavior (Eph ...Read More

  • What Really Counts

    Galatians 6:15–16

    Martin Luther writes, “They are the Israel of God who with faithful Abraham believe the promises of God offered already in Christ, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.” God’s people Israel are not defined by ethnicity but by faith ...Read More

  • Not Under the Law

    Galatians 5:16–17

    John Calvin comments, “If we would obey the Spirit, we must labor, and fight, and apply our utmost energy; and we must begin with self-denial.” Walking by the Holy Spirit is the denial of the self and one’s fleshly ...Read More

  • Walking by the Spirit

    Galatians 5:16–17

    John Calvin comments, “If we would obey the Spirit, we must labor, and fight, and apply our utmost energy; and we must begin with self-denial.” Walking by the Holy Spirit is the denial of the self and one’s fleshly ...Read More

  • Fulfilling the Law

    Galatians 5:14–15

    Martin Luther says the love that fulfills the Law is “to instruct him who goes astray, to comfort him that is afflicted, to raise up him that is weak, to help your neighbor by all means possible, to bear with ...Read More