O Foolish Galatians

Introduction

I found this humorous illustration to introduce Galatians 3 and I wanted to share it with you:

"Imagine a world-class marathon runner who, at mile 22, decides to stop running, get in a taxi, and drive the remaining four miles to the finish line—believing that the taxi ride makes him a better athlete than the running did. We’d call him crazy. Yet, this is exactly what the Galatians were doing spiritually. They started a race powered by the Holy Spirit, but suddenly they’ve decided they’d rather finish it using the 'taxi' of their own human effort and law-keeping. Paul doesn’t just call this a mistake; he calls it a 'spell.'

In the first 9 verses of Galatians 3 Paul asks a number of pointed and thought-provoking questions to these believers who are struggling and have been deceived by Judaizers who are calling into question their faith in Christ’s finished work and whether His work on the cross and His victorious resurrection is truly sufficient to save them, or do they have to add the OT lawkeeping to their resume to be truly saved. Notice first...

I. A Pointed Question (Galatians 3:1)

Galatians 3:1 NKJV

O 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?

-To Foolish Galatians

Paul addresses them as FOOLISH. The word that he uses does not reference their IQ, but rather their lack of spiritual discernment. In the past they grasped the spiritual truth of the all sufficiency of Christ, but now, because of the confusion brought in by these false teachers, they are having difficulty holding on to these truths and are in danger of becoming “spiritually dull.”

One commentator pointed out this problem is similar to the problem that the disciples were having on the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24:25

Luke 24:25 NKJV

Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

These believers are struggling with “spiritual instability.”

Not only does Paul call them “foolish” but he also says they have been “bewitched”... 

-To Deceived (Bewitched) Galatians

 Commentators suggest that it is as if the Galatians are under some kind of “spell” by these false teachers. They have been “FASCINATED” by their persuasive speech and half-truths. As a result they are being led astray by falsehoods, and are confused, and even more vulnerable to false teaching.

Another author describes it as “spiritual seduction...” they have been “seduced” by doctrines of devils. 

-The Pointed Question Explained

Go back to Galatians 3:1

Galatians 3:1 NKJV

O 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?

When they had received the Gospel, Paul says that things were SO CLEAR to them it was almost as if they were literally there at Calvary, WATCHING Christ pour out His life blood for THEM! It was as if they heard Him shout, “IT IS FINISHED” from the cross!

The idea of “publicly portrayed” according to commentators would be like someone in the modern era posting something on a billboard or social media page.

Paul destroys any excuses they have because the Gospel was clearly presented to them...but now it is as if they are under a spell and being seduced away from their Savior!

To continue to make his point, Paul asks...

II. Several More Thought-Provoking Questions (Galatians 3:2-5)

Notice the next one in Galatians 3:2

Galatians 3:2 NKJV

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?—

-How did they receive the Spirit? (v. 2)

-By the Law or By Faith?

Paul is reminding them that they received the SPIRIT of the living God in their lives LONG BEFORE the JUDAIZERS arrived on the scene!

The indwelling person of the Holy Spirit is DEFINITIVE proof of one’s salvation!

Remember what Peter said about Cornelius in Acts 11:15-17

Acts 11:15–17 NKJV

And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

The answer to the question is that they RECEIVED the SPIRIT by faith, NOT the works of the Law.

Notice another question in Galatians 3:3

Galatians 3:3 NKJV

Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

-How Did God Intend for them to Grow? (v. 3)

Now that the question about salvation has been answered, Paul now turns to sanctification and spiritual growth. Just as if SALVATION came through the Spirit, they also need to depend on the Spirit for Spiritual Growth and their Sanctification!

Are you now Being Made Perfect by the Flesh (v. 3): 

Not only does Paul reveal that SALVATION does not come from the flesh, nor is it AIDED by the flesh, EVEN SPIRITUAL GROWTH and MATURITY doesn’t happen through the power of the flesh, but rather through the power of the Holy Spirit.

One commentator notes that this is in the “middle voice” which suggests the question may be understood this way: “Are you trying to finish what Christ started yourself?”

We need to remember Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 NKJV

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

It is a FOOLISH choice to abandon the POWER of the Holy Spirit and exchange it for our own “self-effort.”

Another question is posed in Galatians 3:4

Galatians 3:4 NKJV

Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

Someone worded the question this way...

-Was their previous suffering for a “law-free Gospel” in vain (v. 4)

People who had been trusting in Christ’s all sufficient merit had been suffering for years by those who proclaimed that salvation came through Law-keeping or good works. Had all those who suffered for this done so in vain?

Another suggestion is that maybe this is why they were turning that direction...so they wouldn’t have to suffer persecution anymore...they would just embrace the Judaizers and their teaching in order to escape further persecution and suffering.

One final question I want to discuss in found in Galatians 3:5

Galatians 3:5 NKJV

Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

In other words...

-Are they earning God’s miracles among them or seeing them happen by grace through faith (v. 5)

They haven’t seen miracles among them because they were circumcised or uncircumcised. They didn’t see God working because they were keeping ceremonial laws. They saw God do what He had done because He is a God of grace that cannot be manipulated by our good works!

In the next few verses Paul shifts gears to demonstrate to the Galatians an example from not only the OT, but one of the OT Patriarchs...

III. A Pre-Law Example (Galatians 3:6-9)

Notice Galatians 3:6-9

Galatians 3:6–9 NKJV

just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Notice first

-The Pattern of Justification in Abraham’s Life (v. 6)

The word used here translated “accounted” is an interesting and powerful word. It can also be translated “credited.” It’s a “bookkeeping term.” God’s righteousness was credited to Abraham’s account, not because he earned it, but because he TRUSTED God!

Imagine this:

Think of a man who owes a debt of ten billion dollars—a debt he could never pay in a thousand lifetimes. He opens his bank statement, expecting to see a 'Negative' sign, but instead, he sees the balance of the wealthiest King in history has been transferred to his name. The debt isn't just gone; it’s replaced by a fortune. That is justification. We bring the debt; Christ brings the credit.

Someone put it this way:

Righteousness is a “gift of grace” not a wage paid for work!

When did Abraham receive the righteousness that God provides?

He received it when “HE BELIEVED GOD!”

We see the same thing in Genesis 15:6

Genesis 15:6 NKJV

And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

When was circumcision INSTITUTED...BEFORE or AFTER Abraham was declared righteous?

It was AFTER! Circumcision, much like baptism was designed to be a SIGN that one BELONGED to God, but the act of circumcision did not make one righteous, nor did it ADD to one’s righteousness!

When was the Law of Moses INSTITUTED...BEFORE or AFTER Abraham was declared righteous?

AFTER! Hundreds of years after...

Today, we have those who believe that one has to be baptized in the Church of Christ in order to be right with God.

Salvation comes BEFORE baptism and baptism does not ADD to our righteousness. Baptism is a SIGN that we’ve already been born again by the Spirit.

This leads to a powerful delcaration. Notice again Galatians 3:7

Galatians 3:7 NKJV

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

Who are the “sons” of Abraham (v. 7)

The “sons of Abraham” are “only those who are of FAITH”

Notice again Galatians 3:8-9

Galatians 3:8–9 NKJV

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

-The Answer: Those who are of faith (vv. 8-9)

If Abraham was “justified by faith” then Abraham’s true, spiritual descendants are also “justified by faith.”

Timothy George put it this way:

Paul’s rebuttal was a stinging rebuke to the theology of the Judaizers. Descent by blood or physical procreation does not create sons of Abraham in the sight of God any more than the alteration of one’s private parts does. The true children of Abraham are those who believe, literally, those who ground their relationship with God and thus their very existence itself on the basis of faith. Paul’s argument resonates with the discussion Jesus held with the Jewish leaders of his day concerning their status as children of Abraham. If Abraham were your real father, Jesus said, you would act more like him, you would embody his characteristics—rather than those of the devil to whom you really belong (John 8:31–47).

Note John 8:37-44

John 8:37–44 NKJV

“I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.” They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Conclusion

Too often we live like God’s love is based on a “performance review.” Why are you still trying to earn what God has freely given you?!

The enemy whispers: “you haven’t done enough, your spiritual resume is lacking.” Stop looking at YOU and KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE CROSS...keep your eyes on the Author and Finisher of YOUR FAITH!

As you learn to rest in Him, you will learn to be empowered by His Spirit to live OUT your salvation in fear and trembling.

Don’t “do what you do” to earn God’s favor, but do what you do because YOU ALREADY HAVE GOD’S FAVOR!

Monday Morning Application 

Thinking (Head): Identify one item on your "spiritual resume" you are tempted to trust in. Remind yourself that Christ's resume is the only one that matters. 

Feeling (Heart): Are you exhausted? Spiritual burnout often comes from "fleshly effort." Spend 5 minutes tomorrow morning resting in God’s "Performance Review" of Christ on your behalf. 

Doing (Hands): Do one act of service this week—not to "earn" a blessing, but as a "thank you" for the blessing you already have. 

Discussion Guide 

1. Paul uses the word "bewitched" or "fascinated" to describe the Galatians. In our modern context, we might not think we are under a "spell," but what are some "persuasive half-truths" in our culture (or even in our churches) that tempt us to believe that Christ’s work isn't quite enough? 

2. Paul says the Gospel was "publicly portrayed" before their eyes like a giant billboard. Why is it so easy for us to "take our eyes off" that billboard and start looking at our own performance? What are some practical ways we can keep the "finished work of Christ" front and center in our daily lives? 

3. Abraham was declared righteous hundreds of years before the Law was given. Why is this timeline so important to Paul’s argument? How does this help us answer people today who say, "I need to get my life together before I can come to God"?