Galatians 2:18

Galatians 2:18

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

a. ASV: For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

b. YLT: For if the things I threw down, these again I build up, a transgressor I set myself forth;

c. Classic Amplified: For if I [or any others who have taught that the observance of the Law of Moses is not essential to being justified by God should now by word or practice teach or intimate that it is essential to] build up again what I tore down, I prove myself a transgressor.

1. “For if I build again the things which I destroyed…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gár, gar; a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):—and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. if [Strong: 1487 ei, i; a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:—forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether.]

c. [I] build [Strong: 3618 oikodoméō, oy-kod-om-eh'-o; from the same as G3619; to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm:—(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.]

d. again [Strong: 3825 pálin, pal'-in; probably from the same as G3823 (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand:—again.]

e. [the] things [Strong: 5023 taûta, tow'-tah; nominative or accusative case neuter plural of G3778; these things:—+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, × him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.]

f. which [Strong: 3739 hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

g. [I] destroyed [Strong: 2647 katalýō, kat-al-oo'-o; from G2596 and G3089; to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare G2646) to halt for the night:—destroy, dissolve, be guest, lodge, come to nought, overthrow, throw down.]

2. “...I make myself a transgressor.”

a. [I] make [Strong: 4921 synistáō, soon-is-tah'-o; from G4862 and G2476 (including its collateral forms); to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute:—approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with).]

b. myself [Strong: 1683 emautoû, em-ow-too'; genitive case compound of G1700 and G846; of myself so likewise the dative case ἐμαυτῷ emautōi em-ow-to', and accusative case ἐμαυτόν emautón em-ow-ton' :—me, mine own (self), myself.]

c. [a] transgressor [Strong: 3848 parabátēs, par-ab-at'-ace; from G3845; a violator:—breaker, transgress(-or).]

1). We begin to backslide when we do things we quit when we first got saved but begin doing them again and make excuses for the behavior. We lose spiritual ground just as Israel lost geography.

a). Judges 2:18, 19  And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

2:19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

b). Galatians 2:17, 18 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

2). Case in point is Judges 4, 5. This Canaanite king, Jabin ruled in Hazor, a city that Joshua had previously conquered approximately 115 years previously.

a). Joshua 11:1-11  And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,

11:2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west,

11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.

11:4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many.

11:5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.

11:7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

11:8 And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

11:10 And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor before time was the head of all those kingdoms.

11:11 And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.