The Galatian Suppositions

[Netchaplain]

Paul was admonishing the Galatian Churches by informing them that the admixture of the Law with the Gospel of Christ was an attempt by the false teachers to “pervert” the Gospel of Christ (1:7), and nowhere in this Epistle does there exist any conclusions that suggests the Galatian Christians accepted and followed them. Since this Epistle is absent of any confirmation of such, the phrase “soon removed” can be understood in the sense of only considering their enticement. Therefore, the meaning of “you are fallen from grace” (5:4) can be paraphrased as “it would be as though you have fallen from grace.”

“Whosoever of you are justified by the law” - On the supposition that any of you are justified by the Law; or if, as you seem to suppose, any are justified by the Law (Act 13:39; Gal 3:11; 5:4). The apostle does not say that this had in fact ever occurred; but he merely makes a supposition. If such a thing should or could occur, it would follow that you had fallen from grace. – Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
Galatians 5 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org

The following is to show that though some of the Galatian believers were deceived (“bewitched” – 3:1) enough to at least consider accepting the error, it never became acceptable to them:

Gal 1:6: “So soon removed” is Paul’s reproving them here and it seems fair enough to carry the sense that they were only considering the false doctrine; which is shown below, that no conclusion is ever made that they did so.

Vs 7-9: One wouldn’t think the Galatian disciples would give false teachers much heed after Paul let them know that they were teaching a perverted doctrine, which was to attempt an admixture of the two dispensations of law and grace (which would doctrinally detract from both).

2:5: So “that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you” displays that they have yet to follow them.

3:1: “That ye should not obey the truth”; if this was in a conclusive sense, it could have been stated, “that you do not obey the truth, instead of “that you should not.”

Vs 2-5: Paul establishes they have the Holy Spirit by asking the redundant questions, which I think exemplifies indecisiveness, esp. considering the statement, “if it be yet in vain,” of which clearly shows (in my opinion) the undecided position of these believers.

Gal 4:9: The phrase, “why do you want to go back again” (NLT), only establishes a “desire” and not a completed action.

V 11: “Unless I have labored for you in vain,” is also demonstrative of an inconclusive position, which could otherwise be, “I have labored in vain.”

V 12: Establishes that though they were saved (had the Spirit – 3:2), he was urging them you to become like him, which I believe was to mature in Christ – v 19.

V 21: Again, “ye that desire to be under the law” indicates an inconclusive position.

Gal 5:1: Paul admonishing them to remain or “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” is indicative they have not yet turned to the false teaching. Same for v 2, “if ye be circumcised,” instead of “since you are circumcised.”

V4: A hyperbolic phrase, as one cannot “fall from grace” any more than one can be justified by the Law (3:11)!

V 7: “That you should not obey the truth” would be “that you do not obey the truth!

V10: “I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded.” Confirming evidence that they have not capitulated their Christion position.

Gal 6:12: “They constrain you to be circumcised,” instead of “they have constrained you to be circumcised.”

V13: They “desire to have you circumcised,” and not they “you were circumcised” (most of those in the churches in Galatia were Gentile Christians, and so were not circumcised).

 

[marks]

Paul was admonishing the Galatian Churches by informing them that the admixture of the Law with the Gospel of Christ was an attempt by the false teachers to “pervert” the Gospel of Christ (1:7), and nowhere in this Epistle does there exist any conclusions that suggests the Galatian Christians accepted and followed them.

It's a good point!

I also see in the letter the spiritual battle over their faith. It's like they are drifting away, and Paul is wooing them back.

This part, fallen from grace, I see it speaking towards their reliance. If one begins to rely on what they do, instead of what Jesus did, then they are not availing themself of His grace, and will not have the same open relationship with the Father. Stand fast in liberty!

Good post!

Much love!

 

[Netchaplain]

It's a good point!

I also see in the letter the spiritual battle over their faith. It's like they are drifting away, and Paul is wooing them back.

This part, fallen from grace, I see it speaking towards their reliance. If one begins to rely on what they do, instead of what Jesus did, then they are not availing themself of His grace, and will not have the same open relationship with the Father. Stand fast in liberty!

Good post!

Much love!

Those who are reborn (saved, redeemed) will always be led "into all truth" (Jhn 16:13), thus if a truth is never found (understood), it's because of not truly seeking. "Seek and ye shall find." If we are still at the babe-in-Christ level, we will often be too self-dependent while we continue to learn to be more God-dependent!

Love to you too!

 

[Grailhunter]

A hyperbolic phrase, as one cannot “fall from grace” any more than one can be justified by the Law (3:11)!

Definitely hyperbolic....
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.
Most scholars see this as a curse...actually severed from Christ plus have fallen from grace. LOL

 

[Heart2Soul]

Paul was admonishing the Galatian Churches by informing them that the admixture of the Law with the Gospel of Christ was an attempt by the false teachers to “pervert” the Gospel of Christ (1:7), and nowhere in this Epistle does there exist any conclusions that suggests the Galatian Christians accepted and followed them. Since this Epistle is absent of any confirmation of such, the phrase “soon removed” can be understood in the sense of only considering their enticement. Therefore, the meaning of “you are fallen from grace” (5:4) can be paraphrased as “it would be as though you have fallen from grace.”

“Whosoever of you are justified by the law” - On the supposition that any of you are justified by the Law; or if, as you seem to suppose, any are justified by the Law (Act 13:39; Gal 3:11; 5:4). The apostle does not say that this had in fact ever occurred; but he merely makes a supposition. If such a thing should or could occur, it would follow that you had fallen from grace. – Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
Galatians 5 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org

The following is to show that though some of the Galatian believers were deceived (“bewitched” – 3:1) enough to at least consider accepting the error, it never became acceptable to them:

Gal 1:6: “So soon removed” is Paul’s reproving them here and it seems fair enough to carry the sense that they were only considering the false doctrine; which is shown below, that no conclusion is ever made that they did so.

Vs 7-9: One wouldn’t think the Galatian disciples would give false teachers much heed after Paul let them know that they were teaching a perverted doctrine, which was to attempt an admixture of the two dispensations of law and grace (which would doctrinally detract from both).

2:5: So “that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you” displays that they have yet to follow them.

3:1: “That ye should not obey the truth”; if this was in a conclusive sense, it could have been stated, “that you do not obey the truth, instead of “that you should not.”

Vs 2-5: Paul establishes they have the Holy Spirit by asking the redundant questions, which I think exemplifies indecisiveness, esp. considering the statement, “if it be yet in vain,” of which clearly shows (in my opinion) the undecided position of these believers.

Gal 4:9: The phrase, “why do you want to go back again” (NLT), only establishes a “desire” and not a completed action.

V 11: “Unless I have labored for you in vain,” is also demonstrative of an inconclusive position, which could otherwise be, “I have labored in vain.”

V 12: Establishes that though they were saved (had the Spirit – 3:2), he was urging them you to become like him, which I believe was to mature in Christ – v 19.

V 21: Again, “ye that desire to be under the law” indicates an inconclusive position.

Gal 5:1: Paul admonishing them to remain or “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” is indicative they have not yet turned to the false teaching. Same for v 2, “if ye be circumcised,” instead of “since you are circumcised.”

V4: A hyperbolic phrase, as one cannot “fall from grace” any more than one can be justified by the Law (3:11)!

V 7: “That you should not obey the truth” would be “that you do not obey the truth!

V10: “I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded.” Confirming evidence that they have not capitulated their Christion position.

Gal 6:12: “They constrain you to be circumcised,” instead of “they have constrained you to be circumcised.”

V13: They “desire to have you circumcised,” and not they “you were circumcised” (most of those in the churches in Galatia were Gentile Christians, and so were not circumcised).

Great wisdom and revelation of His Word. I never saw it like that...I am thankful for what you have shared and that the Holy Spirit gave you this revelation of this scripture.
I receive it because it bears witness with my spirit that what you shared is truth.
God Bless!

 

[MatthewG]

Those who are reborn (saved, redeemed) will always be led "into all truth" (Jhn 16:13), thus if a truth is never found (understood), it's because of not truly seeking. "Seek and ye shall find." If we are still at the babe-in-Christ level, we will often be too self-dependent while we continue to learn to be more God-dependent!

Love to you too!

Hello Netchaplain,

I believe that even mature people in the faith can make the choice to turn away from God.

Today, had someone tell me about why they lost their faith in God was because of losing her grandaddy, and one of her best friends, and someone else. Truly sad it is.

People can have something come in their life, and it completely turns around, even falls apart on them from the life they once were able to have with say their family, or loved ones.

Anything can happen but those who are really out there trying to seek the truth, and learn and gain knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ whom is our wisdom, and their are many treasures and riches to be given freely, by simply reading the bible and learning, about God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, his life, burial, death, and resurrection.

Then be able to be helped by our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ. By the spirit which is given by them, that we can have a relationship with them, and grow in faith and grow in love for God, and Love for Others.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

The apostle does not say that this had in fact ever occurred

You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! Galatians 4:10​

You are observing
παρατηρεῖσθε (paratēreisthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3906: To watch, observe scrupulously. From para and tereo; to inspect alongside, i.e. Note insidiously or scrupulously.

Galatians 4:10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! (Scroll down to see breakdown of Greek)


Gotta love it, lol!

 

[marks]

I settled in on this verse last night,

Galatians 2:16 KJV
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

We believe IN Jesus Christ, and are justified by the faith OF Jesus Christ.

This is a key point to remember in a few more verses,

Galatians 2:20-21 KJV
20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

We believe IN Jesus Christ, and we are justified by the faith OF Jesus Christ, and we likewise live by the faith OF the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

"frustrate" there, "I do not frustrate the grace of God", in my interlinear is translated "repudiate".

Either we are relying on Him, grace, or we've repudiated grace in favor of relying on what we do.

What we do is believe in Jesus. His faith justifies us, and His faith gives us life.

Much love!

 

[marks]

You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! Galatians 4:10​

You are observing
παρατηρεῖσθε (paratēreisthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3906: To watch, observe scrupulously. From para and tereo; to inspect alongside, i.e. Note insidiously or scrupulously.

Galatians 4:10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! (Scroll down to see breakdown of Greek)


Gotta love it, lol!

You've got to expand your context.

Galatians 4:8-21 KJV
8) Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.
9) But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10) Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
11) I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
12) Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.
13) Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
14) And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
15) Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
16) Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
17) They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.
18) But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
19) My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
20) I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

There is still the question. Observing the days, yes, but not fully moved to that mind.

Galatians 5:1-2 KJV
1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Don't go there . . . if you do . . . it's not going to work for you!

Much love!

 

[Netchaplain]

Definitely hyperbolic....
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.
Most scholars see this as a curse...actually severed from Christ plus have fallen from grace. LOL

To me, seeking to be justified is not the same as being justified, and the hyperbolic expression has in on the fact that the Law could never justify, i.e. make one righteous, it being only a means of manifesting guilt and curse.

I believe the intention of "you have been severed" means "you would be severed," because you won't be severed, since you cannot be justified by the Law.

 

[Netchaplain]

Great wisdom and revelation of His Word. I never saw it like that...I am thankful for what you have shared and that the Holy Spirit gave you this revelation of this scripture.
I receive it because it bears witness with my spirit that what you shared is truth.
God Bless!

Hi, and thank you too for letting me know it is useful to you. God bless!

 

[Grailhunter]

To me, seeking to be justified is not the same as being justified, and the hyperbolic expression has in on the fact that the Law could never justify, i.e. make one righteous, it being only a means of manifesting guilt and curse.

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

The term "hyperbolic" has its definition, but generally in use without any supporting evidence, it is used in an attempt to explain away a very clear scripture...

This particular scripture comes with its own history....I mean a lot of it.

Paul's ministry was being attacked more or less by a group of Jews that has come to be called Judaizers. They insisted that the Gentiles observe certain aspects of Judaism in order to be Christians. And some Christians were doing that. Paul's response to this becomes very stern and is in fact the reason for the first Christian council in Jerusalem in 50 ad.

Usually people that are objecting to this verse come from the OSAS crowd. But as far as the belief that you cannot lose your inheritance to heaven and falling from Grace...Hebrews completely shoots that out of the water. And there are several scriptures that back this up. The tap dancing I have seen people do to try to explain these scriptures away are nothing less than humorous.
Bottom line the law has nothing to do with salvation.
And if you want to go to heaven be good.
There is no way anybody can scam Christ...He is God and He will not let anyone use His good Grace to justify evil or allow evil in heaven.

 

[Netchaplain]

Hello Netchaplain,

I believe that even mature people in the faith can make the choice to turn away from God.

Today, had someone tell me about why they lost their faith in God was because of losing her grandaddy, and one of her best friends, and someone else. Truly sad it is.

People can have something come in their life, and it completely turns around, even falls apart on them from the life they once were able to have with say their family, or loved ones.

Anything can happen but those who are really out there trying to seek the truth, and learn and gain knowledge of God and the Lord Jesus Christ whom is our wisdom

Hi, and thank you for sharing your comments! Just wanted to say that those who are truly reborn will continue to mature in Christ and will always return to God (like the prodigal), regardless the difficulties experienced, as shown in the parable of the sower; which are to teach how to identify actual faith.

It is for comfort and encouragement to believers to remember that God is teaching us to place everything and everyone, including self, after Himself (Mat 10:37). To me this means always exercising our faith in entrusting all to Him, in knowing that He is using everything "for the good of those who love God" (Ro 8:28). This allows us to continually "cast all your care on Him, for He cares for you" (1Pe 5:7).

God's blessings to you and the bereaved in mention!

 

[MatthewG]

Agreed, thank you for your response brother! May God give the increase friend.

 

[Heart2Soul]

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

The term "hyperbolic" has its definition, but generally in use without any supporting evidence, it is used in an attempt to explain away a very clear scripture...

This particular scripture comes with its own history....I mean a lot of it.

Paul's ministry was being attacked more or less by a group of Jews that has come to be called Judaizers. They insisted that the Gentiles observe certain aspects of Judaism in order to be Christians. And some Christians were doing that. Paul's response to this becomes very stern and is in fact the reason for the first Christian council in Jerusalem.

Usually people that are objecting to this verse come from the OSAS crowd. But as far as the belief that you cannot lose your inheritance to heaven and falling from Grace...Hebrews completely shoots that out of the water. And there are several scriptures that back this up. The tap dancing I have seen people do to try to explain these scriptures away are nothing less than humorous.
Bottom line the law has nothing to do with salvation.
And if you want to go to heaven be good.
There is no way anybody can scam Christ...He is God and He will not let anyone use His good Grace to justify evil or allow evil in heaven.

Where do you find all this information? I am in awe!

 

[Ferris Bueller]

To me, seeking to be justified is not the same as being justified, and the hyperbolic expression has in on the fact that the Law could never justify, i.e. make one righteous, it being only a means of manifesting guilt and curse.

I believe the intention of "you have been severed" means "you would be severed," because you won't be severed, since you cannot be justified by the Law.

Just read the book for what it says.
There's nothing hyperbolic about trying to be justified by the law. It's a real thing that some people do. The Galatians were doing that. They had gone back to the Mosaic observances with the intent of being justified by those observances (Galatians 4:10). And, ultimately, the result is being cut off from Christ and the other way to be justified—faith in God. Reformed theology is so complicated and makes the scriptures not really mean what they say because it's guarding a false presupposition that can't be supported by the scriptures. And so it has to twist and contort the scriptures to make them fit their theological presupposition.

 

[Netchaplain]

There's nothing hyperbolic about trying to be justified by the law. It's a real thing that some people do.

I agree, if you mean people try to be justified by the Law, considering this has never been possible and was not the Law's intent (Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16;3:11).

Scripture is clear and simple concerning "essential doctrine" (teachings required for receiving salvation), but often difficult concerning nonessential doctrine (teachings not related to being saved but related to spiritual growth in our faith, which requires much rereading and studying, esp. concerning the NT Epistles. I believe the difficulty of learning to understand spiritual growth is intended to require an ongoing study of it.[/QUOTE]

 

[GracePeace]

Just read the book for what it says.
There's nothing hyperbolic about trying to be justified by the law. It's a real thing that some people do. The Galatians were doing that. They had gone back to the Mosaic observances with the intent of being justified by those observances (Galatians 4:10). And, ultimately, the result is being cut off from Christ and the other way to be justified—faith in God. Reformed theology is so complicated and makes the scriptures not really mean what they say because it's guarding a false presupposition that can't be supported by the scriptures. And so it has to twist and contort the scriptures to make them fit their theological presupposition.

Absolutely :
1) These had heard the Gospel, and had begun by receiving the Spirit by hearing with faith, but were then trying to be perfected by works of Law (Gal 3:1-5). This is why Paul says they were "deserting [God] Who calls you in the grace of Christ" (Gal 1:6) which is the same as "fallen from grace severed from Christ" (Gal 5:4)--they'd been with God but were then deserting God by means of disbelief with respect to God and belief with respect to a "persuasion" that did "not come from [God]" (ie, a false gospel).
If not, Galatians 5:7 makes no sense : "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth." "Ran" refers to faith--"I have run my race. I have kept the faith." They had formerly had faith in God, they had obeyed the truth, but they were now erring and believing in lies, and had fallen from grace.
2) As far as Paul's "confidence in the Lord", what it doesn't mean is "the Lord told me you would persevere so I have confidence". This "in the Lord" is the same as "Children, obey your parents in the Lord" and "they may marry, only in the Lord"--this refers to a spiritual position a person is in--Paul's "confidence in the Lord" means he's being supplied with confidence by grace and he is acknowledging and glorifying God for the grace--just like when he says "what I am I am by the grace of God" "I was abundant in labors above them all yet not I but the grace with me."
As for the intended effect of his statement "I am confident... you will", it's just a way of speaking encouragingly to them--"I know you did wrong, but I know it was a mistake and that you will now return to the right."
That said, from what I understand, history seems to show that the Judaizers won out--from what I've been told, no other correspondences with that church are preserved, no mention is made of them afterward, and Paul makes no travels to the Church.
3) As opposed to what many Reformed want to insist, what Galatians DOES NOT say is "justification is not by the works of the Law, therefore just believe". What is Paul's argument here? It doesn't deal with going from unregenerate to regenerate, it deals with going from imperfect to perfect--"are you now seeking to be perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3). What this is teaching is that, even with the best of intentions, we can get "how to live before God, be sanctified, be spiritually perfected" so wrong that it is tantamount to a denial of the Gospel. Notice that when the Galatians are led away from "works of the Law" they are never led to "faith in Jesus"; rather, they are led to "serve one another through love" and "faith which works through love" and "love is the fulfillment of the entire Law". This is about "how Christians are supposed to serve God" not "how to get saved". Now, the fact that Paul describes this "after salvation" activity as "you who seek to be justified" (they are seeking "justification") is just a proof that the Reformed understanding of the term is deficient. In other words, they are not seeking to "get saved", or "go from unsaved to saved", they are seeking "perfection" and "sanctification" and "maturity"--THIS is described as "justification".
So, what does "justification" mean?
Well, we know that Romans 2 speaks of a coming judgment at which only those who do the Law will be "justified" and repaid with eternal life (he then cites the Gentile believers--they are partakers of the New Covenant, the Spirit writing God's Law on their hearts (Jer 31:31-34)--as examples of such men). "Well, doesn't Paul militate against 'works of the Law' for justification?" The problem is not that the Law is unspiritual (it is spiritual and holy and good Ro 7), the problem is that it "relies on sinful flesh" (Ro 8:3)--but we do not nullify the Law by faith (Ro 3:31), rather we "fulfill the righteous requirement of the Law" (Ro 8:4) so that we can qualify, even without knowledge of the Law (Ro 2:14), as "doers of the Law" (Ro 2:13). Galatians 6:6-10 says the same--good deeds are seeds that will yield the harvest of eternal life "in due time".
There's another, perhaps more "full-orbed", so called, view on what "justification" means--the New Pauline Perspective. It teaches that "justification" is a term which describes "belonging to the family of Israel, the nation slated to be justified, vindicated, in the sight of the nations, at the eschatological judgment".

Either way, the Reformed view is truncated, deficient, Scripturally anemic and clumsy, ignorant.

 

[Netchaplain]

If not, Galatians 5:7 makes no sense : "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth."

Gal 5:7 "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" Myself, I'm looking also at the conclusion of Galatians in Chapter 6, and it never shows them as having chosen to accept the false works teaching, for they never made it to the point of circumcision, without which the Law could not have been followed.

Gal 6:12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. v13 They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples. (NLT)

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Paul was admonishing the Galatian Churches by informing them that the admixture of the Law with the Gospel of Christ was an attempt by the false teachers to “pervert” the Gospel of Christ (1:7), and nowhere in this Epistle does there exist any conclusions that suggests the Galatian Christians accepted and followed them. Since this Epistle is absent of any confirmation of such, the phrase “soon removed” can be understood in the sense of only considering their enticement. Therefore, the meaning of “you are fallen from grace” (5:4) can be paraphrased as “it would be as though you have fallen from grace.”

“Whosoever of you are justified by the law” - On the supposition that any of you are justified by the Law; or if, as you seem to suppose, any are justified by the Law (Act 13:39; Gal 3:11; 5:4). The apostle does not say that this had in fact ever occurred; but he merely makes a supposition. If such a thing should or could occur, it would follow that you had fallen from grace. – Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
Galatians 5 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org

The following is to show that though some of the Galatian believers were deceived (“bewitched” – 3:1) enough to at least consider accepting the error, it never became acceptable to them:

Gal 1:6: “So soon removed” is Paul’s reproving them here and it seems fair enough to carry the sense that they were only considering the false doctrine; which is shown below, that no conclusion is ever made that they did so.

Vs 7-9: One wouldn’t think the Galatian disciples would give false teachers much heed after Paul let them know that they were teaching a perverted doctrine, which was to attempt an admixture of the two dispensations of law and grace (which would doctrinally detract from both).

2:5: So “that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you” displays that they have yet to follow them.

3:1: “That ye should not obey the truth”; if this was in a conclusive sense, it could have been stated, “that you do not obey the truth, instead of “that you should not.”

Vs 2-5: Paul establishes they have the Holy Spirit by asking the redundant questions, which I think exemplifies indecisiveness, esp. considering the statement, “if it be yet in vain,” of which clearly shows (in my opinion) the undecided position of these believers.

Gal 4:9: The phrase, “why do you want to go back again” (NLT), only establishes a “desire” and not a completed action.

V 11: “Unless I have labored for you in vain,” is also demonstrative of an inconclusive position, which could otherwise be, “I have labored in vain.”

V 12: Establishes that though they were saved (had the Spirit – 3:2), he was urging them you to become like him, which I believe was to mature in Christ – v 19.

V 21: Again, “ye that desire to be under the law” indicates an inconclusive position.

Gal 5:1: Paul admonishing them to remain or “stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free” is indicative they have not yet turned to the false teaching. Same for v 2, “if ye be circumcised,” instead of “since you are circumcised.”

V4: A hyperbolic phrase, as one cannot “fall from grace” any more than one can be justified by the Law (3:11)!

V 7: “That you should not obey the truth” would be “that you do not obey the truth!

V10: “I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded.” Confirming evidence that they have not capitulated their Christion position.

Gal 6:12: “They constrain you to be circumcised,” instead of “they have constrained you to be circumcised.”

V13: They “desire to have you circumcised,” and not they “you were circumcised” (most of those in the churches in Galatia were Gentile Christians, and so were not circumcised).

When Paul wrote galatians, Galatians 1:6 was Paul saying that many of the Galatians had adopted the Law (bewitched) This is not a Greek phrase of possibility, but of something that actually took place.