Dancing With The Devil

Galatians 3:1 (NIV)

¹ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

Previously Paul has set before the Galatians the totality of the argument.  The Law cannot save and Christ cannot save -- at the same time.  It is one or the other.   This was the foundation of the Gospel, to which these believers, believed.  Now instead of calling them brothers (for they are not acting so), he calls them foolish.  "For with a Christian zeal it is lawful for an Apostle, a pastor, or preacher, sharply to reprove the people committed to his charge: and such reprovings are both fatherly and godly." [1] 

Who has bewitched (Gr baskainō) you?  "The Galatians acted as if subject to some weird occult influence or under the spell of an evil eye. The false teachers had so fascinated them and confused their minds that they seemed to be groping around in a spiritual fog." [2]

The NKJV translates this verse: "Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth . . .." [3] Luther, then adds an extensive commentary on this.  However, these words are not found in the best manuscripts so contemporary versions omit them.  What stands is the phrase: "It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified." [4]  Luther understands this phrase as meaning that these beguiled brothers not only stopped obeying the truth but in their actions they have re-crucified Christ. "Now he addeth moreover, that they do even crucify Christ, who before lived and reigned in them. As if he should say: Ye have now not only rejected the grace of God, not only to you Christ died in vain, but also he is most shamefully crucified among you. After the same manner speaketh the Epistle to the Hebrews: “Crucifying to themselves again the Son of God, and making a mock of him, &c.” (Heb. vi. 6)." [5]

However, again, modern scholars understand the phrase “. . . For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.” (Galatians 3:1, NLT).   "The Greek perfect tense emphasizes a past completed action resulting in certain and positive present effects." [6]   Paul's message had been preaching Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).  This implies that He is man's only hope of salvation, otherwise His death is in vain. ("then Christ died for no purpose.")

Luther understands that behind the teaching of the false apostles it is nothing short of devilish activity. "This bewitching then, and this sorcery, is nothing else but a plain illusion of the devil, printing in the heart a false opinion of Christ and against Christ; and he that is deluded with this opinion, is bewitched." [7]  So too, we must understand that the position of the Vatican to promote salvation by congruent merit, the doctrines of Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. are all religions based on works and self-righteousness.  Behind these movements we say with Jesus, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” [8]

Father we live in a world of passive acceptance of all viewpoints.  No one likes to call a spade, a spade.  We want to cuddle with Rome and stroke the false witnesses that come to our door.  We dance with the devil. Satan has always wanted to keep Christ off the cross; and now that Calvary is a final victory, it is his schemes to make the cross of no effect.  To not see that is to be bewitched. To not get that is to be foolish. Lord, by Your Spirit anoint us with that Pauline passion, to preach Christ crucified as our sole message.  Jesus did die.  His sacrificial death was a historical fact.  He rose again (another historical fact).  Was this all for nothing?  No!  God forbid!  Salvation is in no other than Christ crucified.  Satan would deceive and destroy.  Hell will be filled, Father, with well-intentioned people who thought that they could do it their way.  Oh Lord send a revival of the Gospel, for the sake of Christ our Savior and for the everlasting joy of all peoples who believe.

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1. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 3:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

2. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2382). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

3. The New King James Version. 1982 (Ga 3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

4. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Ga 3:1). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society. 

5. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

6. KJV Bible Commentary. 1994 (E. E. Hindson & W. M. Kroll, Ed.) (2383). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

7. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

8. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 16:23). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.