Galatians 3:1
1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?
Truth to Learn
As careful as we try to adhere strictly to the truth of God’s Word, our enemy has ways of leading us into paths of error.
Review
In the past few verses Paul has demonstrated to the Galatians how he interacted with Peter, Barnabas, and others when they appeared to leave the simple truth of salvation unto righteousness by faith alone. This was presented to them not only to show how strongly Paul felt about this doctrine but also to show the Galatian Christians that even the strongest of Christians can be fooled into thinking that we need to do something to justify or secure our salvation.
Behind the Words
The word translated “bewitched” is “ebaskanen” which means “to bewitch with the eye” or “to cast an evil eye.” People of the first century believed that great harm might result from the “evil eye.” What Paul is saying is that they have been tricked into believing something that isn’t true
Meaning Explained
Paul now turns his attention again to addressing the Galatians directly. He starts off this section with what on the surface appears to be an insult, “O foolish Galatians!” Clearly this is an admonition expressed in a manner to get their attention but it is not meant to insult nor to offend. It is said to get their attention focused on the truth at hand instead of the peripheral stuff going on. It is given in a manner similar to how Christ addressed a couple of His own disciples. On the day of His resurrection, Jesus appeared to two of them on the road out of
Luke 24:25 25Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
Paul now asks, “Who has bewitched you?” He is clearly indicating to them that they have been tricked into believing the legalistic doctrines that were presented to them, through which they thought they could be made secure in their righteousness. He is using a play on words to show them that they have been tricked by the “evil eye” when the truth of Christ has been presented clearly to their eyes. And the Christ that has been portrayed to them is not a Christ of legalism but a suffering Christ who was crucified to pay the price for their righteousness.
So What?
Have you been tricked into believing you have to obey part or all of the Law of Moses or some private church doctrines in order to secure your salvation which was initially received by faith?
If so, pay close attention to the next few verses!
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2007 Will Krause. All rights reserved.