Spiritual Amnesia
"You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." (Galatians 3:1 - New International Version)
In the first two chapters, Paul argues with his opponents based upon his personal experience, and his main purpose is defending his Apostleship. In the next two chapters, Paul argues from a theological perspective. These chapters reveal some of the rabbinical training of Paul. His arguments are tightly woven and powerful.
Paul begins this new phase of the debate by focusing upon the personal experience of the Galatians. Some might be surprised that Paul calls the Galatians foolish, since Jesus said, "But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22 - New King James Version)
Jesus used a Greek word, translated fool that means godless. The Greek word translated fool in this verse is different. It means spiritual dull or void of understanding. Paul is surprised that the Galatians had forgotten what God had done for them. They had developed a bad case of spiritual amnesia.
Paul is so surprised by their present situation that he suggests they might be under a spell. Their soon and sudden departure from the truth and into error was so strange that it was as if they were under the influence of a wizard. Of course, Paul knew that this was not the case. He words his question in this way to add emphasis to his astonishment at their behavior.
They were not being influenced by a wizard but by smooth talking, highly educated clever teachers who were step by step leading them away from truth. The only spell they were under was the attraction of self-righteousness and the pride of the flesh. A spell that has brought many under its influence. A spell that can easily bewitch us.
The Galatians had forgotten Jesus Christ crucified. The phrase clearly portrayed could be translated, publicly portrayed, evidently set forth, posted on a public bulletin board, or painted. The Galatians had not physically seen the crucifixion of Christ, but Paul through his preaching had painted them a vivid picture of the cross. It seems to Paul that they had forgotten this mental image.
Crucified is in the perfect passive tense. This tense describes a past event with continuing results. The Galatians had forgotten not just the details of the event of the crucifixion but also its impact upon their own lives. It was the cross not the law that had changed their lives. It was the cross not the law that had attracted their attention. It was the cross not the law that they had believed. They had forgotten what Jesus had done for them on the cross.
In the first two chapters, Paul argues with his opponents based upon his personal experience, and his main purpose is defending his Apostleship. In the next two chapters, Paul argues from a theological perspective. These chapters reveal some of the rabbinical training of Paul. His arguments are tightly woven and powerful.
Paul begins this new phase of the debate by focusing upon the personal experience of the Galatians. Some might be surprised that Paul calls the Galatians foolish, since Jesus said, "But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire." (Matthew 5:22 - New King James Version)
Jesus used a Greek word, translated fool that means godless. The Greek word translated fool in this verse is different. It means spiritual dull or void of understanding. Paul is surprised that the Galatians had forgotten what God had done for them. They had developed a bad case of spiritual amnesia.
Paul is so surprised by their present situation that he suggests they might be under a spell. Their soon and sudden departure from the truth and into error was so strange that it was as if they were under the influence of a wizard. Of course, Paul knew that this was not the case. He words his question in this way to add emphasis to his astonishment at their behavior.
They were not being influenced by a wizard but by smooth talking, highly educated clever teachers who were step by step leading them away from truth. The only spell they were under was the attraction of self-righteousness and the pride of the flesh. A spell that has brought many under its influence. A spell that can easily bewitch us.
The Galatians had forgotten Jesus Christ crucified. The phrase clearly portrayed could be translated, publicly portrayed, evidently set forth, posted on a public bulletin board, or painted. The Galatians had not physically seen the crucifixion of Christ, but Paul through his preaching had painted them a vivid picture of the cross. It seems to Paul that they had forgotten this mental image.
Crucified is in the perfect passive tense. This tense describes a past event with continuing results. The Galatians had forgotten not just the details of the event of the crucifixion but also its impact upon their own lives. It was the cross not the law that had changed their lives. It was the cross not the law that had attracted their attention. It was the cross not the law that they had believed. They had forgotten what Jesus had done for them on the cross.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 11:05 AM
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