Session Seven

Saints - Holy Ones - Set Apart

Israel’s Story Jesus’ Story Our Story
(Old Testament) (Gospels) (Acts/Epistles)
Israel was to be holy Jesus has complete Because we are in
(set apart) so that and perfect “set- Christ, we are set
God would have a apartness”. apart in order to
people on the earth declare God’s
to reflect his nature (John 17:4; 15-18) praises.
and character.
Israel’s story (1 Peter 2:9,10)
(Lev 20:26) becomes Jesus’ story
but he completes it
and brings it to its
fullest expression.
 The Function of the Label
“saints”
By labeling the Galatians as saints/holy ones/set apart ones, Paul is
reminding them that they need to live missionally.

John 17:18
As You sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and even the remotest part of the earth
Living Missionally - Israel
Thus, the revelation of the character of
God and the nature of his redemptive
work for humanity are bound together
with the history of Israel. Their
uniqueness is tied to his. To put it
simply, God did things in and for Israel
which he did not do in the history of any
other nation.
Living Missionally - Israel
This uniqueness of Israel's historical
experience, however, was because of
their special role and function in the
world. They were to facilitate God's
promise of blessing to the nations. They
were to be his priesthood in the midst of
the nations (Ex. 19:6) – representing him
to the rest of mankind, and being the
means of bringing the nations to saving
knowledge of the living God. To fulfill
that destiny they were to be a holy
nation (different from the rest),
characterized by walking in the way of
Yahweh in justice and righteousness.
Living Missionally - Israel
So Israel's unique historical experience
was not a ticket to a cosy state of
privileged favoritism. Rather it laid upon
them a missionary task and a moral
responsibility. If they failed in these, then
in a sense they fell back to the level of
any other nation.
 The Function of the Label
“in Christ Jesus”
By connecting their sainthood to their position (in Christ) and not to
their performance, he is reminding them to live out a status they
already have as opposed to trying to earn it.

How does this label “saints in Christ Jesus” relate to the issues we
will find within the letter?
“including the overseers and deacons”
Overseers (episkopoi):
This word is also translated “bishops” and is used interchangeably
with the word presbytreoi - “elders”.

Deacons (diakonos)
“including the overseers and deacons”
Option One
Paul received a letter brought by Epahproditus which contained a
“From the bishops and deacons”.

Option Two
The bishops and deacons had organized the gift that had been sent
from Paul to the church.

Option Three
The leaders within the church needed a special word of
encouragement or admonition.

Option Four
The phrase can be translated as “superintendents who are also
ministers” which emphasizes servant leadership.
 “Grace to you”
Grace (charis)
This word replaces the traditional Greek salutation,
“Greetings” (charein).

“The sum total of God’s activity toward his human creatures is

found in the word “grace”; God has given himself to his people
bountifully and mercifully in Christ. Nothing is deserved, nothing
can be achieved.”

Gordon Fee
 “and peace”
Peace
This was the traditional Jewish salutation . . . shalom.

“The sum total of these benefits as they are experienced by the

recipients of God’s grace is peace; God’s shalom, both now and to
come. The latter [peace] flows out of the former [grace], and both
flow together from God our Father and were made effective in our
human history through the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Gordon Fee
 “Grace and peace”
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

This salutation appears in Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:3; 2 Cor 1:2; Gal 1:3;
Eph 1:2; 2 Thess 1:1.
“from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ”
This statement makes it clear that in Paul’s thinking Jesus is truly
God and works in cooperation with the Father and the Spirit for the
redemption of the people of God.

Grace and Peace of God

Grace: Romans 5:15
Peace: Phil 4:7

Grace and Peace of Jesus

Grace: Phil 2:23
Peace: Col 3:15
Section Summary
“From its very first line, Philippians
reflects the transformation brought
by the gospel to every part of
human life. The traditional
epistolary opening formula is
subtly changed. Writers and
recipients alike are defined by their
relationship to God and to Christ,
and what the writers wish for their
readers consists of gifts from God
the Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.”
Section Summary
“More than two thousand years
later, it is easy to miss this
significant emphasis; phrases that
would have impressed the
Philippians by their innovative
approach now seem to us merely
part of the conventional letter
opening. To their first readers,
however, these opening verses
would have been a reminder that
the whole of life had been
transformed by the proclamation
of the gospel.”

Morna Hooker
Page 481
 Sow What?
The idea of being “set apart” was not an end in and of
itself. It is a means to an end . . . . it is how we will
effectively live missionally on earth and accomplish God’s
kingdom purposes.
1. Take time to think about how you have thought about
your “right living”. Has it been connected to living
missionally or has it been seen as a badge to wear so
you feel good about yourself?
2. Take some time to evaluate if the way you live is
providing opportunities for people to see God in you.
When we don’t live as set-apart ones, we don’t reflect
God. When we live as set-apart ones but don’t let
people know the difference is Jesus they will not know
what they are seeing. Let’s purpose to include both!
 Sow What?
“Grace and peace” were not just a “Hi, how are you?” type
of greeting. They are full of meaning and significance.
Paul speaks a blessing on the Philippians that brings them
back to the gospel (just as the status he gave them).
1. Spend some time thinking about the gospel and how
grace and peace are directly connected.
2. Envision the lives of lost people in your network of
relationships and what life is probably like for them
without the grace and peace that comes from God the
father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. As you pray for their salvation begin to incorporate the
ideas of grace and peace into your prayers.