A New Thing
Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:15-17 and Acts 10:9-43
Series: Comments on Galatians
God was doing something new through a man with an old, old spirit. Here was Saul of Tarsus, steeped in the ways of his forefathers, a Jew among Jews. He was a Pharisee — an expert at interpreting the Law of Moses. Yet God opened his heart to spread his loving favor to the Gentiles too. His grace called for no special conditions. Nor were the Gentiles to be second-class citizens of the kingdom of God. Indeed, it appeared they were getting off easier than the Jews. Gentiles must submit their hearts to God but were not asked to submit to circumcision.
Paul was not operating his mission under the old ways or even at the instruction of the apostles. His directive was straight from God. Nevertheless, it harmonized with apostolic precedent, since Peter was also instructed by God to extend his grace to the Gentiles. “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34). And so, neither must his preacher.
Paul reached out to those people his own people had shunned. He followed the injunction of Jesus. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). God was doing a new thing through Paul, the most unlikely candidate available. He also did something new through Martin Luther, another unlikely prospect. What can God do with you if you obey him without delay?
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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