Galatians: The Life I Now LiveSample

As Paul wraps up the powerful letter to the Galatians, he makes a reference to his handwriting (v. 11). Presumably, he had been dictating the letter to this point, but he wants them to be certain the letter has come from him. So he writes a line himself and knows they will recognise his larger script. He will do anything to make sure they hear the message of this letter. 

Then in verses 12–13 he returns to the false teachers, to shine a light on their motives. They sounded so pious encouraging the Galatians to come under the burden of circumcision and law-keeping. But what was their real motive? They were not seeking to benefit the Galatian believers, but rather to bolster their own reputation. They wanted to have a badge of honour to protect themselves from any persecution associated with the radical message of the cross. 

So often there is a profound inconsistency in people preaching passionately for certain kinds of behaviour. They seem so committed to a certain lifestyle, but their own private reality does not live up to their words. Like a strong-looking log that is riddled with rot, they lack the integrity everyone assumes they have. 

Paul is so strongly opposed to false teachers. We must not be naïve: false teachers still exist today. They present a passionate plea for holiness but do so for their own benefit. True gospel preachers preach Christ and the fruit is a greater and a more genuine holiness. 

The false teachers opposing Paul sounded so Christian. Yet false teachers add something to the gospel of God’s grace. They turn the focus from Christ to self. They make a lot of noise about holiness, but the wonder of Christ and His work tends to fade from centre stage. They are in it for themselves. 

Martin Luther wrote, 

But the holier the heretics seem to be in external appearance, the more damage they cause. For if the false apostles had not possessed outstanding gifts, great authority, and the appearance of holiness; and if they had not claimed to be ministers of Christ, pupils of the apostles, and sincere preachers of the gospel, they could not so easily have undermined the authority of Paul and made an impression on the Galatians. (Luther’s Works, vol. 26, p. 52.) 

Reflection

Pray for the Bible teachers in your church. Ask God to continue to woo their hearts to Christ and keep them true to Him.