We saw the last 2 weeks how the Galatian churches were getting confused. They were starting to be led astray by some people who were introducing another gospel – which Paul said is no gospel at all.
Today we are going to look at verses 8-9, where Paul expresses condemnation of those false teachers spreading their false gospel. READ
When studying the bible you want to see what comes before and after – which is referred to as reading things in context. What thoughts came before your passage and led into it? What are the next thoughts that your passage lead into? They help you understand what you’re reading.
If Paul is rebuking the Galatians in verses 6-9 for turning to false gospel, then why does he immediately go into a 32 verse sketch of his biography? Because he wanted the Galatian believers to clearly understand his authority and their need to listen to him. Think about it, he explains in his biography that he received the gospel directly from Christ, not man, and that the 12 Apostles in Jerusalem affirmed him as an apostle equal with them. Then Paul famously describes how he personally rebuked the Apostle Peter in public.
Why would he bring that up to the Galatians? It makes perfect sense if you think about it: if you were a Galatian Christian and you were starting to listen to false teachers tell you to ignore Paul and listen to their different gospel, then when you realize who the Paul is his rebuke is going to have a lot of weight with you. If you hold the 12 Jerusalem Apostles in high esteem then you would hold Paul as well. If the famous Apostle Peter corrected his ways after Paul rebuked him, how much more should you as a regular Galatian Christian correct yourself?
So in verses 6-9, Paul is describing the problem of their getting spiritually seduced by false teachers into adopting a false gospel. And in our verses 8-9 today, we see specifically what he says about the condemnation of false teachers. He does not want the Galatians to listen to condemned men!
Today we’ll cover 2 points: the condemnation and those who are condemned.
CONDEMNATION
Notice Paul’s double condemnation in verses 8-9….READ
Paul very seriously denounces those who tamper with the Gospel. He repeats the condemnation for emphasis: let them be under God’s curse! Whoever would preach another gospel he says let them be cursed by God.
This Anathema has the OT idea of something being “dedicated to destruction” – it is something God has set apart and marked out to be destroyed. There is no hope for redeeming it. Paul says this is what is in store for anyone who preaches a different gospel – let them be marked out by God for destruction.
Let me illustrate what Paul had in mind from the OT. Go with me to 1 Samuel 15
- V1-3 – God gives Saul the command to totally destroy the Amalekites.
- V9 – Saul disobeys and keeps some alive
- V17-19 – Samuel rebukes Saul
If a man is spreading a false gospel that man is dedicated to destruction. This is really strong language. Why would such strong language be used by Paul? Because through their preaching false teachers march people into an eternal hell, depriving them of the truth that could give them eternal life. Therefore, if they lead people to destruction, let them be destroyed for it. This is serious stuff.
This touches on the broader theme of handling the word of God and that doing so is serious business. Those false teachers coming into Galatia and supposing they are God’s spokesmen were putting themselves in danger of being cursed. The bible warns about mishandling the scriptures. Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to show yourself approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, but who CORRECTLY handles the word of truth.” Peter said something very interesting about Paul’s writings. Turn to 2 Peter 3:15-16 with me…
APPLICATION: Is the Gospel you are believing the real gospel?
APPLICATION: Everyone should be careful about handling God’s word. This expands the topic a little bitWe see James 3:1 saying, “Let not all of us aspire to teach, for we know that those who teach will be judged more strictly.” There are too many people who are too quick to think they should be teaching God’s word. People need to examine themselves more carefully and humbly before putting themselves forward. “Do your best to present yourself as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, but who correctly handles the word of truth.”
THOSE CONDEMNED
Notice who Paul warns about – men and angels. “Even if we or an angel of heaven…” He says he himself is not exempt from being condemned if he were to preach a false gospel. His divine commission as an apostle would not save him. But it is interesting that he says if man or angel…he’s not being hyperbolic or dramatic for effect.
First, we see MAN undermining the Gospel all throughout the scriptures.
- Judaizing legalists (Galatians, Philippians 3),
- Licentious-ists (Jude),
- Gnostics (1 John 4),
- worldly philosophers (Col 2:8),
- Greedy charlatans (Mt 7; 2 Pet 2; Jude)
- And more…
From the Garden to the Kingdom false men will spread false teachings.
But then we also see ANGELS. Fallen angels to be specific – otherwise known as demons. The teachings of demons are called the doctrines of demons. Turn with me to a passage where we see both angels and Turn to 1 Timothy 4 with me..READ
The first doctrine of demons ever introduced to mankind was in the Garden: “You will not surely die! You will be like God!” It was the wicked fallen cherub, Lucifer, who is the first false teacher, and who authored the first false teaching. That false doctrine led our Parents away from God – just like all false doctrine. It is so serious a thing to lead people away from God. That is why Paul pronounced a curse on false teachers.
APPLICATION: What is the source of your gospel? You? Man? Demons? Or is the gospel that you’ve been believing in from Jesus Christ? Paul said in verse 10-12 that he did not receive his gospel from any man, but from Jesus Christ. There is one and only one gospel from Jesus Christ, and it is the Gospel that Paul proclaimed. It is the same Gospel we are proclaiming to you today.
CONCLUSION: Silent Reflection:
- Are you believing the right gospel?
- Are you being grounded in the faith by true doctrine?
- Are you aware and alert to false teachers?