Galatians 5:8
This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
Truth to Learn
We need to be persuaded by the truth, not the seductive messages of the world and false teachers.
Behind the Words
The word “this” does not appear in the Greek text. Instead, this should have been translated “The persuasion does not …”
The word “persuasion” is translated from the Greek word peismonē, which is a noun derived from peitho. We saw this word in the previous verse meaning “to persuade or convince by strength of logical argument.” Hence, peismonē means “persuasion.” Paul appears to be once again making a play on words. In the previous verse he said, “Who tripped you up from being persuaded by the truth (referring to the true doctrine of God).” Now he says, “The persuasion to believe what these false teachers have taught you is not from God.”
“Calls” is translated from kaleō, which means “to call someone so that they will come or go somewhere.” The word is used in this verse as a participle in the present tense, indicating current continuous action. This verse could be translated as “The persuasion is not from the one who is calling you.”
Meaning Explained
The specific subject at hand is the teaching by the false apostles in the Churches in Galatia who claimed that in addition to believing the glorious truth of the gospel, one must keep the Law of Moses in order to be completely saved. And, if the law is to be kept, it must include circumcision.
In the previous verse Paul asked these confused believers who it is that tripped them up so that they should not be persuaded by the truth. Instead of being persuaded by the truth, the Christians in Galatia had been persuaded by false teachers, not by the truth of God.
Paul does not actually refer to God directly. He refers to Him as “the One who is calling you.” Like Jesus’ disciples during His earthly ministry, each one of us is called to follow Him.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
And we are commanded to live in a manner that shows that we honor that calling:
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (Ephesians 4:1)
And, like a good shepherd daily calls his sheep to follow him, our Shepherd is constantly calling us to follow the paths of righteousness. Through the Word and through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, God is constantly calling you to follow Him and the truths He teaches you.
Application
Daily you are bombarded by messages from the world to take care of yourself, good ol’ numero uno. After all, you’re worth it, you deserve it, and it will make you more desirable to others. But in the midst of all the shouting, there is a still small voice calling you daily to deny yourself and follow Him.
Who’s persuading you?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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