Truth Tellers as the Enemy

In this most personal and heartfelt portion, Paul continues his appeal to the Galatians to turn back to the true Gospel that he first preached to them. He has reminded them that they received the truth from him even in his weak and pitiable condition.

Having done so, the Galatians are deprived of their last excuse to turn against Paul - for they cannot claim that he dazzled them or used an engaging personality to draw them unto Christ.

Now Paul asks them, if they consider him their enemy because he told them the truth? Paul is bold to assert that his Gospel is the truth, for he has supported it with every argument in the prior chapters, from scripture and reason and argument.

Therefore, Paul will not permit the Galatians to pretend that the legalists also have "truth" - there can be no two points of view about the Gospel. One is the truth, and all others are lies.

So now the Galatians are left with only one possibility: that they turn against Paul because he told them the truth!

Paul is confronting head-on the sad reality, that people often gnash against those who tell them the truth. Rather than confront the facts and logic, and overturn them if they can, instead they lash out against the messenger.

The Lord Jesus was treated in this shabby manner by the Jewish leaders at His trial. He rebuked them for resorting to assault rather than pointing out any errors in His testimony.

The legalists wanted to lead the Galatians back to Moses, even though grace and truth came by Jesus Christ!

For when it comes to salvation, righteousness, and justification, Christ is the only true way. The law as a savior is utterly false, for it only condemns poor sinners.