Galatians 5.7-12
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!”
Paul is deeply concerned that the false teaching of the legalists is — like leaven — spreading throughout the fellowship. It appears that one person in the Galatian church was particularly vocal and influential in spreading the message of the Judaizers. This “one bad apple” was having an inordinate negative impact on the local church.
Isn’t that how it works in groups and teams? One person has a bad attitude and starts to gossip, complain, and spread rumors. Next thing you know, the negativity spreads, and the culture of the group slowly turns cynical or negative or resistant.
Paul expresses confidence in Christ that when the smoke clears and the dust settles, the Galatians will make the right choice and stand against the person who is spreading rumors and false doctrine. This person, Paul says, “will bear the penalty.” We don’t know what the penalty was, but likely it was removal from the fellowship. Paul is saying: Stand firm in the truth and hold this person accountable. If they do not repent, then expel them from the fellowship and have nothing to do with them.
Apparently, this troublemaker was spreading false rumors that Paul was teaching the requirement of circumcision. Paul’s response was swift, severe, and kind of humorous: “Are you kidding me?” Paul seems to be saying. “If I was still preaching circumcision, then why am I persecuted by the Jews every place I go? No, I preach the grace of God and the cross of Christ, clearly an offense to the Jews.”
Paul finishes with this declaration: “You know, if those who are disrupting you think so highly of circumcision, why don’t they go all the way and cut off the whole package!” That is definitely one of the most aggressive verses in all of Paul’s writings!
Paul is defending the fellowship. He is doing what every Christian should do: Protect the church from false teachers. The apostle was well aware of the danger of false teachers. On his final missionary journey, Paul stopped in Miletus and called the elders of the Ephesian church to meet with him. Here was his message:
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:22-24)
Paul was running the race with perseverance. He accepted the reality of adversity and affliction, and it did not deter him from fulfilling God’s call on his life.
“And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:25-27)
Paul knew he was going to be imprisoned, and he knew he was going to die. Nonetheless, he was at peace because he had been faithful to proclaiming the truth about the kingdom of God. He did not modify or change the message to accommodate any audience: he spoke the whole counsel of God.
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:28-32)
Paul knew that false teachers would arise and seek to deceive the people in the church, so he admonished the elders to pay careful attention first to themselves, and then to the people of the fellowship. Don’t be fooled by false doctrine, and do not be pulled into bad behavior. Be alert!! Guard yourself and the fellowship from wolves in sheep’s clothing, for they are surely coming to attack the church.
That is a message for every Christian in a leadership position. For every Christian parent. For every Christian friend. Be a leader with discernment, discipline, and courage. Stand firm for what is true. Defend the fellowship.
