Some questions are rhetorical?? And some have a hidden point they are designed to make. Several times in Galatians we hear the Apostle Paul ask his Galatian converts this question: WHO is leading you astray?? I used to think this was a question about the identity of those who were leading these Galatian converts astray, as if the Apostle did not know who they were. But now it dawns on me that he is trying to make a point to his readers: His point is: NOT ME. I am NOT leading you astray. And I never have done so. And so he is seeking to point out that the later visitors to the Galatian Churches are the ones who are bringing the spiritual problem into the lives of his converts and their Churches: You foolish Galatians! WHO has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified (Galatians 3:1 NIV). To his question: WHO has bewitched you?? Well, IT WAS NOT ME. You were running a good race. WHO cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? (Galatians 5:7 NIV). To his question: WHO cut in on you?? Well, IT WAS NOT ME. Next he says: That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you (Galatians 5:8 NIV) And then: A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty (Galatians 5:9, 10 NIV). The Apostle dearly wants his converts (and us) to avoid the payment of this penalty mentioned here in G. 5:9. Staying under the shadow of the Cross of Christ makes use of the penalty HE paid while suffering and dying on it. But wandering away from this shadow, as his Galatian converts were doing, causes the penalty to come on them again. not a good thing.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 03:14:06 +0000
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