PAUL’S CONCERN FOR GULLIBLE CHRISTIANS

Gal. 1:6-10

Morning Meditation 5/12/17

Verse 6-10 says, “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. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

There are five things about this passage that I will briefly (A figure of speech) comment on:

FIRST, PAUL’S MARVEL

Something was happening in the region of Galatian among the churches that was disturbing to Paul. It is the reason for this epistle. We are introduced to the affect it was having on Paul by the phrase, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” The word “marvel” translates “thaumazo” meaning, “to wonder, marvel.” It is the word from which we get our word trauma, “to shock.” In medicine it describes a serious shock to the body. There are TRAUMA CENTERS provided for those who are traumatized in some way.

Paul learns something about the Galatians that produces in him what the meaning of this word describes. He says, “I continue (present tense) in a state of shock.” In Matthew 8:10 this word is used of Jesus in a good sense. It was a reason for great wonder that a Gentile should have such faith as is described in that passage.

Paul is shocked that the Galatians had responded so positively to the preaching of the true Gospel and were shortly afterward led astray by some who preached what amounted to another gospel. Now that we have seen the affect on Paul over what had happened to some of the Christians in Galatia, let’s consider,

PAUL’S POINT

He says, “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 says, “It happened so quick.” The words “that ye are so soon removed” translate “metatithemi” and mean, “to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other).” It is a present passive indicative verb. The words “so soon” imply that what had happened (the false teachers transposing the perverted gospel into their theological views) should have taken longer, if at all.

It reminds us how quickly immature Christians can be led astray. We cannot take for granted because a person makes a great profession of faith in the true gospel that he will automatically continue in the truth of that gospel. Satan through his false teachers is effective.

The present tense and passive voice mean that these Christians who where sound in the true gospel were no longer sound in it. The passive voice suggests that they did not change of themselves but rather had bought into the false doctrine that had effectively removed them from the sphere of truth.

Paul says that the effects of this false message have removed them “from him that called you into this grace of Christ unto another gospel.” The words “from him that called you” are not referring to the human instrument used in proclaiming the gospel to them. Paul says in Romans 8:30: “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Salvation is the answer of the sinner to the call of God.”

For saved people to be “removed from him that called you” is to be removed from fellowship. Embracing false teachings after one is saved puts him out of fellowship with Christ. It does very definitely make a difference to Him what you believe. It is not ok to believe the wrong thing, and it is not ok to leave the impression with one who believes the wrong thing, that it is ok for him to believe it. We are bound by our salvation to publicly confess Christ as the one way (Matt. 10:32-33).

Then he adds, “into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” The gospel is an invitation into the grace of Christ. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. Once you attach merit to it you have effectively changed it from grace to works. Grace and words cannot be mixed as a means of salvation: Rom. 11:6 says, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” The idea of grace destroys the idea of works. The idea of works destroys the idea of grace. They cannot coexist in the definition of the gospel that is the power of God unto salvation. Works play an important part in ones obedience to Christ after salvation and will be the basis for rewards at the judgment seat of Christ. But one must be clear that to mix works with grace in the definition of the gospel effectively neutralizes its power to save. Paul calls it “another gospel.” The word “another” translates, “heteros” and means, “another: i.e. one not of the same nature, form, class, kind, different.” It is different and has a totally different effect on the hearer. Next let’s notice,

PAUL’S EXPLANATION

Paul explains in these words: “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.” The word Paul uses here for “another” is “allos” which is not the same word (heteros) that he used in verse 6. So Paul is not changing any thing he has just said. He is explaining the difference. They were still hearing the death, burial, and resurrection preached but they were also hearing that circumcision as a rite(Gal. 6:15) and keeping the law (Gal. 2:16) was necessary to being saved. This would change the DEFINITION OF THE GOSPEL (1 Cor. 15:1-4) to include something other than faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as a means of salvation. This continues to be a problem with false teachers. They may not add the law of Moses or the Old Testament rite of circumcision but they add baptism, etc. Paul said, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not with the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (1 Cor. 1:17). Paul effectively separated the doctrine of baptism from the definition of the gospel in this statement. Paul says these false teachers are doing two things to you:

1.They “trouble you. The word “trouble” translates, ”tarasso” meaning, “to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro).” The false teachers have introduced a new idea into their mind that is causing agitation of mind. Once you accept the true gospel of Christ, you will never have a good conscience about accepting conflicting views (I didn’t say you could not be led astray into a false religion). In this case, Paul was on one side telling them that they had been right to start with (Gal. 3:1-3), the false teachers were on the other side in an attempt to keep them deceived. You say, “They need to be left alone and allowed to make up their own mind.” This chapter says you are absolutely wrong. It was right for Paul to come to the rescue of those true Christians in Galatia who were being led astray by false teaching. Put a baby on the floor, put a bottle of poison near him, and say, “Now we are going to let him make up his own mind about taking a drink of this.” There is one word that fits that logic: stupid.

2.The words “would pervert the gospel of Christ” describe what the false teachers were attempting to do. The word “would” translates “thelo” and means “to wish, to will.” It is a present active participle. With this word Paul states the purpose of the false teachers. It was a deliberate effort on their part to pervert the true gospel of Christ. The word “pervert” translates “metastrepho” and means, “to turn around.” The false teachers were acting to turn them from grace back to law and were doing this, not by ceasing to preach the death, burial, and resurrection as a means of salvation, but adding to the definition of the gospel by preaching that keeping the law is also necessary as a condition to salvation. Paul said this effectively makes what the false teachers were preaching “another” (heteros) gospel.. It is not the same gospel by which they were saved. False teachers always want to minimize the difference in what they teach and what you believe. But once you start inviting them into your home or going to their Bible studies, you discover that the are different one who Jesus is (He is God incarnate in the flesh), they are wrong about the atoning act of Jesus on the cross being enough to save you by faith (Heb. 1:3), and they do not believe that the Bible is the ONLY inspired Word of God (many of them have their own).. If they had told you this to start with, you would have not attended the first class. But after they win your friendship and they use their sophistry in teaching their false doctrine, what they say begins to make sense to the NATURAL MIND. And you are hooked. Then someone comes along and says, “they are children of hell” (the meaning of anathema), and you find yourself taking up for them. Because now, they are your friends, and if you admit that they are “devoted to destruction,” you must admit that you were STUPID to follow them. At this point your over powering pride glues you into the coffin they have created for you.

Next we see,

PAUL’S SEVERE WARNING

Verses 8-9 say, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”

Paul’s warning could not be stronger. He says, “But though we” which means he is referring to himself and to those who traveled with him. Paul says, “If I come again and preach another gospel, don’t believe me. Do not accept it as right. The gospel I first preached was right. Just chalk it up that I have lost my mind. I am telling you now, don’t believe even me, if I return to you with another gospel.”

Then he adds, “an angel from heaven.” What in the world does Paul mean here? Angels are God’s servants sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14). They are also used as messengers. What if an angel appeared with a message and said that what the false teacher were saying was true? Paul said, “do not believe him.” 2 Cor. 11:14 says, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” The Word of God (what Paul said) is the only thing that protects us from the supernatural world of the spirit. What is Paul saying? He is saying that if an angel from heaven (Satan is the prince of the power of the air) comes and gives you a message, he will appear like a good angel (you will not know the difference by sight), if that message is contrary to the Bible, “let him be accursed.” The words “let him be” are the translation of “esto” and is the third personal singular of the “to be” verb. It is a present imperative verb. It is a command expressing urgency. This “to be” verb expresses BEING which means that he is already under the curse. The word “accursed” translates “anathema” and means, “specifically, an offering resulting from a vow, which after being consecrated to a god was hung upon the walls or columns of the temple, or put in some other conspicuous place, therefore a person or thing doomed to destruction.” Paul by inspiration of the Holy Spirit uses this word to describe the condition of the false teachers. Lets notice three things:

1.First, Paul is saying in the form of a command that expresses urgency that they are to let the false teachers remain in the accursed condition.

2.Second, Paul is saying that those who preach a perverted gospel know what they are doing and have made their minds up. They are not deceived. If they were sincerely wrong, I believe Paul might have said, “try to win them. Tell them the truth.” But because they belong to the “accursed” you will be the one who gets hurt. This does not mean that you cannot make an effort to help the VICTIMS of these false teachers.

3.Third, Paul is saying separate yourselves from them and let them know that you do not want to hear what they have to preach.

Finally let’s look at,

PAUL’S TESTIMONY

Paul’s line of thought in this passage is going to ruffle some feathers. The false teachers and some of their VICTIMS will attack Paul. He understands that. He says in verse 10: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Paul loves people. But when it comes to declaring the truth, he is 100% God’s servant. It is “thus saith the Lord” with Paul. And it should be with everyone of us. Standing for the truth gets one into trouble with Satan and those who have been deceived by him. There is no easy way to say that the false teacher is devoted to destruction, let him alone. Isn’t that judging? It is God judging and we acting by faith in God’s judgment.

There were gullible Christians in Paul’s day and there are those in our day. One wonders why a saved person can hold a copy of the Word of God in his hand and follow some of the ridiculous and obvious error that is being preached on TV and in pulpits across the country. I marvel that anyone is so gullible to believe the false teacher. However, it comes down to this. Are you a Bible believer or not? If you are, you have the ONE STANDARD that will separate you from those who are devoted to destruction. If one does not use the standard that God has provided, he has no one to blame but himself.

You say, “Preacher, what do I do? I am in a church that adds to the definition of the gospel as it is given in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4?” Get out immediately and find a church where the Bible is used as the only rule of faith and practice. And I might add, I have a King James Bible, and I want the preacher to read from the same text, not from a translation of a perverted text. I was in a service not long ago where the preacher read from a different text. I was looking in my Bible and it was not coming close to what my Bible said. I felt exactly what people must feel when they sit there and try to get something from a pastor who has not yet discovered the value of the RIGHT TRANSLATION. I certainly do not mean to be offensive by this statement. I think a lot of the time people are just not thinking. They want to make Word of God clearer. That is good. That is what the preacher should do (Nehemiah 8:8). But many times the one trying to make it clearer by using another translation actually changes the meaning. What about that? When you clarify it by changing what it says, have you actually accomplished your purpose? And do we not share in the translators sin of changing the meaning of the Word of God when we give IT OUT AS THE WORD OF GOD? Just something to think about.

May God bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White