Galatians chapter 3 begins with a question. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you,” asks the Apostle Paul, using strange language! (Galatians 3:1)
As if someone had cast an evil “spell” on this group of young Christians, had misled them badly!
The vocative “Galatians” merely identifies the “victims” of this scheme. “Gauls” one might nearly say. Gentile inhabitants of a region of the Roman Empire, an entire Province likely! Including the Cities of Lystra and Derbe and Iconium, apparently. See Acts chapter 14 for a description of Evangelist Paul’s original visit to these places. Groups of new Believers in Jesus, they were.
But an adjective is here placed by their name! “Foolish,” spelled “anoetos” in Greek, actually means “no longer thinking!” Once in our King James Bible it is translated “unwise!”
These Galatians have allowed false teachers to come into their Churches! And lead them astray! Telling them Paul was wrong in “his” way of salvation. That a man must obey the Law of Moses in order to be really saved! (That Jesus alone, His Death on Calvary, is not sufficient!) Indeed, “foolish!”
“Who” are these infiltrators?
We think they are emissaries from Jerusalem, from “James” the leader there, from his “camp.” Galatians 2:12 nearly says so! “For before that certain (men) came from James, he (Peter) did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” Wow!
But now … let’s notice today’s “main” verb,” translated “bewitched” in the King James Version. The Greek has it “baskaino,” a term used only here in all the Bible, all the New Testament since we’re looking at a Greek word.
My lexicon defines it like this: “to speak ill of one, to slander, traduce him.” That’s certainly what this wicked crowd has done to Paul, belittling him in front of these Galatian (new) converts! Virtually calling Paul a liar!
Isn’t it strange that in order to uplift oneself (that act itself being a bad idea), the devil often temps us to put down (condemn) others?
“Baskaino” also means “to bring evil on one by feigning praise!” Utter flattery, lying to a person for personal gain, by heaping compliment after compliment upon him or her! Falsely doing so, not meaning a word of what’s being said! Buttering them up!
Thus, “to charm” a person!
The verb is an aorist in Greek, the action already being completed! The damage done! Can the Galatians be reclaimed? Paul is wondering that himself.
Well, there’s proof this morning!
If these men and women were truly saved in the first place … and Paul sure thought they were … a genuine believer in Christ Jesus CAN BE DECEIVED! Can be LED ASTRAY! Can be flattered into heresy!
Oh, let’s be careful!
Do not listen to men!
Let’s God’s Word be your final Authority!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell