GALATIANS 2:4-5 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
NSB* False Brethren; This phrase apparently indicates that although people passed themselves off convincingly as Christians, there was reason to view their profession as a sham. These pseudo-Christians did not announce their purpose, which was to curtail Christian liberty (5:1,13) and to bring Paul and his converts into the bondage of Jewish legalism (6:12-15). These false brethren maintained that one had to keep the Jewish law in order to be saved. They refused to confess that salvation was God's gift through faith alone. For this reason, Paul would not recognize them as genuine Christians.
False Brethren; a spurious brother, i.e. pretended associate. The Greek word used here is ψευδάδελφος pseudadelphos. Strong's G5569. Thayer expands - 1) a false brother 2) one who ostentatiously professes to be a Christian, but is destitute of Christian knowledge and piety.
Secretly Brought In; The New King James uses "secretly" while the KJV uses the word "unawares" which means smuggled in, or brought in secretly, surreptitious. The Greek word for "unawares" is παρείσακτος pareisaktos. Strong's G3920.
By Stealth; The KJV uses the words "came in privily" which has the idea of to come in alongside, i.e. supervene additionally or steathily. The Greek word here for "privily" is παρεισέρχομαι pareiserchomai. Strong's G3922.
My Notes: This is Paul explaining again what is meant by "secretly brought in". So one of the concepts here is that people trying to subvert Christianity and the gospel is nothing new. It was happening already even in Paul's day.
Liberty; is rendered "freedom" in Galatians 5:1, "with freedom did Christ set us free." The combination of the noun with the verb stresses the completeness of the act, the aorist (or point) tense indicating both its momentary and comprehensive character; it was done once for all. The RV margin "for freedom" gives perhaps the preferable meaning, i.e., "not to bring us into another form of bondage did Christ liberate us from that in which we were born, but in order to make us free from bondage." The Greek word is ἐλευθερία eleutheria. Vine's (def C-1), Strong's G1657.
Bondage; to enslave utterly. Vine's defines it as "to bring into bondage,". The Greek word used here is καταδουλόω katadouloō. Vine's (def B-4), Strong's G2615.
Acts 15:24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—
Moving to Verse 5.
Galatians 2:5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
NSB* Paul's message about the truth of the gospel had never given way to the message of the false teachers, whether in Jerusalem (vv. 1-10), Syrian Antioch (vv. 11-14), or Galatia.
Submission; The KJV renders this word "subjection". Subjection in Greek has the idea of subjection, submission, subjection, submission or obedience in this context. Strong's defines it as subordination. The Greek word here is ὑποταγή hupotagē Strong's G5292.
NSB* You; The Galatian Christians could trust Paul's consistent advocacy of his gospel which was revealed by God (1:11,12).
Takeaways - Much like in Paul's day we are seeing a renewed effort to discredit Paul's letters as part of the Bible. The good news is that our hope is in Jesus Christ, not Paul. Paul never put his hope in himself because of himself. He wanted people to follow him in Christ because he followed Christ after his conversion. Having said that Paul's letters are inspired by God, are God's Word, and should not be brazenly ignored or dismissed.
Comments