Galatians 3:1 Study Bible: Foolish Galatians, who has cunningly deceived you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth as crucified?

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O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

O foolish Galatians!
The word "foolish" in Greek is "anoētos," which implies a lack of understanding or perception. Paul is addressing the Galatians with a tone of rebuke, highlighting their irrational behavior in turning away from the truth of the Gospel. Historically, the Galatians were a group of Celtic people who had settled in Asia Minor. Their cultural background may have made them susceptible to persuasive rhetoric, which Paul is countering with a direct and emotional appeal. The exclamation underscores Paul's deep concern and frustration with their spiritual regression.

Who has bewitched you?
The term "bewitched" comes from the Greek "baskainō," which means to cast a spell or to fascinate in a misleading way. Paul uses this strong language to suggest that the Galatians have been led astray by false teachings, almost as if they were under a spell. This reflects the spiritual battle between truth and deception, a theme prevalent throughout the New Testament. The rhetorical question implies that the Galatians have been seduced by Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation, thus distorting the Gospel of grace.

Before your very eyes
This phrase emphasizes the clarity and vividness with which the Galatians had initially received the Gospel message. Paul is reminding them that the truth of Christ's crucifixion was presented to them so clearly that it was as if they had witnessed it themselves. This historical context points to the powerful and effective preaching of Paul and his companions, which had initially captivated the Galatians and led them to faith.

Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified
The Greek word for "clearly portrayed" is "prographō," meaning to publicly display or announce. Paul is emphasizing that the message of Christ's crucifixion was not hidden or ambiguous but was openly and vividly communicated to them. The crucifixion of Jesus is central to Christian doctrine, representing the atoning sacrifice for sin. By reminding the Galatians of this foundational truth, Paul seeks to draw them back to the core of the Gospel, away from legalistic distortions. The historical and scriptural context here is crucial, as it underscores the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice, a cornerstone of conservative Christian theology.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Galatians
The recipients of Paul's letter, the Galatians were a group of churches in the region of Galatia, which is in modern-day Turkey. They were primarily Gentile converts to Christianity.

2. Paul
The apostle who wrote the letter to the Galatians. He was deeply concerned about the Galatians turning away from the gospel he preached.

3. Jesus Christ
Central to the message of the gospel, Jesus' crucifixion is emphasized by Paul as the foundation of faith and salvation.

4. False Teachers
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of Galatians suggests that false teachers were influencing the Galatians to follow Jewish law in addition to faith in Christ.

5. Crucifixion
The event of Jesus' death on the cross, which Paul emphasizes as the core of the gospel message that the Galatians had initially accepted.

Teaching Points

Beware of False Teachings
Just as the Galatians were led astray, Christians today must be vigilant against teachings that deviate from the core message of the gospel.

The Centrality of the Cross
The crucifixion of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. It should remain the focal point of our beliefs and teachings.

Spiritual Discernment
Believers need to cultivate discernment to recognize and reject teachings that are contrary to the gospel.

The Danger of Legalism
Adding requirements to faith in Christ, such as adherence to the law, undermines the sufficiency of His sacrifice.

Personal Reflection on Faith
Regularly reflect on the simplicity and purity of the gospel message and ensure that your faith is rooted in Christ alone.

Bible Study Questions

1. What might have caused the Galatians to be "bewitched" or led astray from the true gospel?

2. How can we ensure that our understanding of the gospel remains centered on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?

3. In what ways do modern false teachings parallel the issues faced by the Galatians, and how can we guard against them?

4. How does Paul's emphasis on the crucifixion challenge or affirm your current understanding of the gospel?

5. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to add to the gospel message. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Paul's message to the Galatians?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Galatians 1:6-9
Paul expresses astonishment that the Galatians are turning to a different gospel, which is no gospel at all, highlighting the influence of false teachings.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Paul discusses the message of the cross as the power of God, contrasting it with human wisdom, which relates to the Galatians being "bewitched" by false teachings.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4
Paul warns against being led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, similar to the Galatians' situation.

Sermons

A Foolish Church	D. Allport.	Galatians 3:1
Beholding the Crucifixion	R. Halley, D. D.	Galatians 3:1
Bewitched	W.F. Adeney	Galatians 3:1
Christ Crucified, the Preacher's Theme	C. H. Spurgeon.	Galatians 3:1
Christ Evidently Crucified	Bishop Lightfoot.	Galatians 3:1
Christ Evidently Set Forth	Canon Liddon.	Galatians 3:1
God's Testament and Promise in Christ	Martin Luther	Galatians 3:1
Importance of Preaching Christ Crucified	Theological Sketch-Book	Galatians 3:1
Lessons of Experience	Alexander Maclaren	Galatians 3:1
Men Bewitched	C. H. Spurgeon.	Galatians 3:1
Paraphrase of the Verse	Bishop Lightfoot.	Galatians 3:1
Paul's Lament	A. F. Barfield.	Galatians 3:1
Power of Christ	Professor Phelps.	Galatians 3:1
Spiritual Witchcraft	Emilius Bayley, B. D.	Galatians 3:1
The Enchantment of Error	R. Nicholls.	Galatians 3:1
The Evil Eye and the Amulet	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Galatians 3:1
The Fascination of the Cross	Canon Vernon Hutton.	Galatians 3:1
The Folly of Apostasy		Galatians 3:1
The Folly of Being Captivated by Form, Etc	J. Lyth.	Galatians 3:1
The Folly of Disobeying the Truth	J. Burns, D. D.	Galatians 3:1
The Folly of Forsaking the Right Path	Dr. Hardman.	Galatians 3:1
The Galatians Bewitched	Bishop Lightfoot.	Galatians 3:1
The Galatians' Deflection	C. Simeon, M. A.	Galatians 3:1
The Lord's Supper a Picture of Christ Crucified	W. Forsyth, M. A.	Galatians 3:1
Appeal to Experience and Scripture	R. Finlayson	Galatians 3:1-14
The Bewitchery of Law	R.M. Edgar	Galatians 3:1-14

People

Galatians, Paul

Places

Galatia

Topics

Bewitch, Bewitched, Christ, Clear, Clearly, Cross, Crucified, Death, Described, Evidently, Foolish, Forth, Galatians, O, Obey, Openly, Portrayed, Powers, Publicly, Senseless, Sophistry, Strange, Thoughtless, Tricked, Truth, Vividly

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Galatians 3:1

     2414   cross, centrality
     2525   Christ, cross of
     8757   folly, effects of
     9240   last judgment

Galatians 3:1-3

8707 apostasy, personal

Galatians 3:1-5

5381 law, letter and spirit
8822 self-justification

Library

July 8. "Having Begun in the Spirit, are Ye Now Made Perfect by the Flesh" (Gal. Iii. 3).
"Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh" (Gal. iii. 3). Grace literally means that which we do not have to earn. It has two great senses always; it comes for nothing and it comes when we are helpless; it doesn't merely help the man that helps himself--that is not the Gospel; the Gospel is that God helps the man who can't help himself. And then there is another thing; God helps the man to help himself, for everything the man does comes from God. Grace is given to the man …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity God's Testament and Promise in Christ.
Text: Galatians 3, 15-22. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men: Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath been confirmed, no one maketh it void, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his seed. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Universal Prison
'But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.'--GAL. iii. 22. The Apostle uses here a striking and solemn figure, which is much veiled for the English reader by the ambiguity attaching to the word 'concluded.' It literally means 'shut up,' and is to be taken in its literal sense of confining, and not in its secondary sense of inferring. So, then, we are to conceive of a vast prison-house in which mankind is confined. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Lessons of Experience
'Have ye suffered so many things in vain?'--GAL. iii 4. Preached on the last Sunday of the year. This vehement question is usually taken to be a reminder to the fickle Galatians that their Christian faith had brought upon them much suffering from the hands of their unbelieving brethren, and to imply an exhortation to faithfulness to the Gospel lest they should stultify their past brave endurance. Yielding to the Judaising teachers, and thereby escaping the 'offence of the Cross,' they would make …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Uses of the Law
Yet, pardon me my friends, if I just observe that this is a very natural question, too. If you read the doctrine of the apostle Paul you find him declaring that the law condemns all mankind. Now, just let us for one single moment take a bird's eye view of the works of the law in this world. Lo, I see, the law given upon Mount Sinai. The very hill doth quake with fear. Lightnings and thunders are the attendants of those dreadful syllables which make the hearts of Israel to melt Sinai seemeth altogether …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

A Call to the Unconverted
But my hearer, I am solemnly convinced that a large proportion of this assembly dare not say so; and thou to-night (for I am speaking personally to thee), remember that thou art one of those who dare not say this, for thou art a stranger to the grace of God. Thou durst not lie before God, and thine own conscience, therefore thou dost honestly say, "I know I was never regenerated; I am now what I always was, and that is the most I can say." Now, with you I have to deal, and I charge you by him who …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Work of the Holy Spirit
This evening, however, I shall run away from my text somewhat. Having just in a few words endeavored to explain the meaning of the whole sentence, I intend only this evening to dwell upon the doctrine which incidentally the apostle teaches us. He teaches us that we begin in the Spirit--"Having begun in the Spirit" I have already illustrated the whole text sufficiently for our understanding if God the Holy Spirit shall enlighten us; and I shall now, I say, confine myself to the thought that Christians …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Curse Removed
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."--Galatians 3:13 THE law of God is a divine law, holy, heavenly, perfect. Those who find fault with the law, or in the least degree depreciate it, do not understand its design, and have no right idea of the law itself. Paul says, "the law is holy, but I am carnal; sold under sin." In all we ever say concerning justification by faith, we never intend to lower …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 57: 1911

Ephesians ii. 8
For by Grace, are you saved, through Faith; and that not of your selves: it is the Gift of God. I Now come to the Second part of that Design, which I have, for some Time, had in View; viz. to examine particularly the principal of those false Pretences, and mistaken Notions, concerning the Terms of our Acceptance with God, by which Men support themselves in their Continuance in their beloved Vices; and endeavour to elude the Force, and arm themselves against the Power, of those plain Texts of Scripture, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God

The Critical Reconstruction of the History of the Apostolic Age.
"Die Botschaft hör' ich wohl, allein mir fehlt der Glaube." (Goethe.) Never before in the history of the church has the origin of Christianity, with its original documents, been so thoroughly examined from standpoints entirely opposite as in the present generation. It has engaged the time and energy of many of the ablest scholars and critics. Such is the importance and the power of that little book which "contains the wisdom of the whole world," that it demands ever new investigation and sets …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF JESUS CHRIST: AND THAT HE UNDERTOOK TO ACCOMPLISH BY HIMSELF THE ETERNAL REDEMPTION OF SINNERS: ALSO, HOW THE LORD JESUS ADDRESSED HIMSELF TO THIS WORK; WITH UNDENIABLE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT HE PERFORMED THE SAME. OBJECTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ANSWERED. 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.'--Galatians 3:13. by John Bunyan--1674 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn and searching treatise was first published in 1674, a copy of which is in …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

A Case of Conscience Resolved
WHETHER, WHERE A CHURCH OF CHRIST IS SITUATE, IT IS THE DUTY OF THE WOMEN OF THAT CONGREGATION, ORDINARILY, AND BY APPOINTMENT, TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR BRETHREN, AND SO TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER, TO PERFORM SOME PARTS OF DIVINE WORSHIP, AS PRAYER, ETC., WITHOUT THEIR MEN? AND THE ARGUMENTS MADE USE OF FOR THAT PRACTICE, EXAMINED. BY JOHN BUNYAN. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This exceedingly rare tract was first published in 1683, and was not reprinted, either separately, or in any edition of Bunyan's …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Substance of Some Discourse had Between the Clerk of the Peace and Myself; when He came to Admonish Me, According to the Tenor of that Law, by which I was in Prison.
When I had lain in prison other twelve weeks, and now not knowing what they intended to do with me, upon the third of April 1661, comes Mr Cobb unto me (as he told me), being sent by the justices to admonish me; and demand of me submittance to the church of England, etc. The extent of our discourse was as followeth. Cobb. When he was come into the house he sent for me out of my chamber; who, when I was come unto him, he said, Neighbour Bunyan, how do you do? Bun. I thank you, Sir, said I, very …
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

The Promises of the Christian Home.
"The promise is unto you, and to your children." ACTS II., 39. "Parent who plantedst in the joy of love, Yet hast not gather'd fruit,--save rankling thorns, Or Sodom's bitter apples,--hast thou read Heaven's promise to the seeker? Thou may'st bring Those o'er whose cradle thou didst watch with pride, And lay them at thy Savior's feet, for lo! His shadow falling on the wayward soul, May give it holy health. And when thou kneel'st Low at the pavement of sweet Mercy's gate, Beseeching for thine erring …
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

Retiring Before the Sanhedrin's Decree.
(Jerusalem and Ephraim in Judæa.) ^D John XI. 47-54. ^d 47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council [called a meeting of the Sanhedrin], and said, What do we? [Thus they reproach one another for having done nothing in a present and urgent crisis. As two of their number (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathæa) were afterwards in communications with Christians, it was easy for the disciples to find out what occurred on this notable occasion.] for this man doeth many signs. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Ordinance of Covenanting
THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING. BY JOHN CUNNINGHAM, A.M. "HE HATH COMMANDED HIS COVENANT FOR EVER." Ps. cxi. 9. "THOUGH IT BE BUT A MAN'S COVENANT, YET IF IT BE CONFIRMED, NO MAN DISANNULETH, OR ADDETH THERETO." Gal. iii. 15. GLASGOW:--WILLIAM MARSHALL. SOLD ALSO BY JOHN KEITH. EDINBURGH:--THOMAS NELSON AND JOHN JOHNSTONE. LONDON:--HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO. MANCHESTER:-GALT & ANDERSON. BELFAST:--WILLIAM POLLOCK. TO THE REVEREND ANDREW SYMINGTON, D.D., PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Letter iv. You Reply to the Conclusion of My Letter: "What have we to do with Routiniers?...
My dear friend, You reply to the conclusion of my Letter: "What have we to do with routiniers? Quid mihi cum homunculis putata putide reputantibus? Let nothings count for nothing, and the dead bury the dead! Who but such ever understood the tenet in this sense?" In what sense then, I rejoin, do others understand it? If, with exception of the passages already excepted, namely, the recorded words of God--concerning which no Christian can have doubt or scruple,--the tenet in this sense be inapplicable …
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc

Here Therefore These Men Too Evil, While they Essay to Make Void the Law...
9. Here therefore these men too evil, while they essay to make void the Law, force us to approve these Scriptures. For they mark what is said, that they who are under the Law are in bondage, and they keep flying above the rest that last saying, "Ye are made empty [1715] of Christ, as many of you as are justified in the Law; ye have fallen from Grace." [1716] We grant that all these things are true, and we say that the Law is not necessary, save for them unto whom bondage is yet profitable: and that …
St. Augustine—On the Profit of Believing.

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Gospel Message, Good Tidings
[As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Impotence of the Law.
HEBREWS vii. 19.--"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh to God." It is the aim of the Epistle to the Hebrews, to teach the insufficiency of the Jewish Dispensation to save the human race from the wrath of God and the power of sin, and the all-sufficiency of the Gospel Dispensation to do this. Hence, the writer of this Epistle endeavors with special effort to make the Hebrews feel the weakness of their old and much esteemed religion, …
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
Referring to the chapter before us for a preface to our subject, note that after Abram's calling his faith proved to be of the most practical kind. Being called to separate himself from his kindred and from his country, he did not therefore become a recluse, a man of ascetic habits, or a sentimentalist, unfit for the battles of ordinary life--no; but in the noblest style of true manliness he showed himself able to endure the household trouble and the public trial which awaited him. Lot's herdsmen …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 14: 1868

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
The divinity of each of these sacred persons is also to be gathered from the text and its connection. We do not doubt tee the loving union of all in the work of deliverance. We reverence the Father, without whom we had not been chosen or adopted: the Father who hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We love and reverence the Son by whose most precious blood we have been redeemed, and with whom we are one in a mystic and everlasting union: and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 24: 1878

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