I realize I must “speed up” some in our study of Galatians!

If not, we’re going to be in this little Bible Book for years!

But still, I MUST discuss yesterday’s verse once more, the half we didn’t mention then. And add to that “mix” verse 7 as well. (Of Galatians chapter 1.)

Paul wrote to his converts: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto ANOTHER gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”

Paul has two “another’s” in this Text.

The first Greek adjective Paul felt led to use for “another” is “heteros,” which specifically means “ANOTHER OF A DIFFERENT KIND!” It is NOT the word “allos,” meaning “another of the same kind!”

This (the “another” I have capitalized above) is not a local, cultural presentation of the Old, Old Story! This is a monstrosity that flies in the Face of the Gospel of the Grace of God!

To Paul, to the Holy Spirit … Salvation is a GIFT of God, not earned in any way.

This “other”/”heteros” gospel makes Salvation merely a Wage, a Payment, a Goal one has achieved by observing hundreds of rules laid down thousands of years earlier!

That’s “heteros,” for sure!

Then the second time Paul uses “another” (underlined in the Test above) he does employ “allos,” now even more strongly denigrating this “new gospel,” so-called. It is NOT “like” the True Gospel at all! It is very un-allos! (Smile, please!)

What a grammar lesson today! Vocabulary lesson! Lesson in the precise nature of New Testament Greek, and of the Writing Ability of the Holy Spirit!

Then Paul notes that some men (enemies of this Gospel of Grace) have come into (invaded) the Galatian Churches and now “trouble” them. “Tarasso” means “to agitate!” To keep in an uproar! By stirring the waters of turmoil! By constantly aggravating! (The Peace of God has now vanished from these Churches, looks like. They are in confusion, chaos!)

This makes me wonder if SOME there in Galatia have not (at least not yet) fallen for the “lies” the Moses-men are telling. A few little heroes wanting to “hold the line” and “defend the Faith” once delivered to the saints!

Then lastly today … these false teachers are being accused by Paul of “perverting” the Gospel of Christ! This verb (an infinitive) is “metastrepho,” meaning to take something and “twist it” all out of shape! To actually ruin it by badly deforming it! To render it inoperable!

Wow!

What a precise description of … what a false doctrine can do!

No wonder the New Testament again and again warns us to “earnestly contend” (defend) for the Faith taught us in the Word of God!

To … “Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Paul again in Romans 16:17.

Sounds serious!

More tomorrow, the Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell