This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.
Summary: From the beginning, Paul’s letter to the Galatians is confrontational. Paul is deeply concerned about the messages false believers spread among his flock.
In this passage, Paul makes several very serious charges against certain people in the church. First, he accuses some people of being “false believers.” Second, he warns us they have “infiltrated our ranks.” Third, he reveals that their mission is partly to “spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.” Finally, he tells us that the objective of their mission is to “make us slaves.”
We can be forgiven if we look at these words askance and wonder if Paul is being overly melodramatic. Is he really serious? False believers? Infiltrators? Spies?
The Greek word for “false believer” is “pseudádelphos” (Strong’s G5571). The literal translation of this word is a false or deceitful brother. Setting aside, for the moment, why someone would deceive a brother, what does that look like? What does Paul mean by calling people “false believers?”
Paul has something in mind that we have to discern from his writings. He holds that some people are true believers and some are false. Moreover, he seems to see the false believers as enemies.
Why?
The context of this passage is Paul is explaining why he is confident in the truth of his gospel. He received his gospel directly from Jesus Christ. He initially met with Peter and James in Jerusalem to “get acquainted.” Then, fourteen years later, Paul again travels to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles there.
One group of believers includes those who teach the true gospel as Paul knows it. Another group includes those who hear the true gospel, accept it, and believe. The group of people Paul calls “false believers” is different. False believers do not accept the true gospel as Paul taught it. Instead, they claim to believe in Jesus, but either add or take away something from the true gospel.
Is this so horrible?
Paul thinks so! Remember how he begins this letter? He writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all.” (Galatians 1: 6-7)
There is a slippery slope on either side of the gospel. On one side is the danger of taking Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for granted. On the other side is the danger of relying on something or someone besides Jesus for salvation. As we continue to explore Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we will discover why this is so important.
Application: Be on guard against false believers!
Food for Thought: How do you recognize a false believer?
I believe it is fair to say, look at what people choose to act on, and what they choose not to act on. Listen to their view of the world and their view of the power of Christ to overcome the world.
Titus 1:15-16 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Thank you, Chris.
Interesting point! I hear you saying that it is not so much what a person says they believe as what they do or don’t do that tells us what they believe.
How do you recognize a false believer?
A few ways:
1) They never seem to grow.
We all know someone who has said something a little off in a Bible study. We don’t immediately point fingers, and start claiming “false brother”! Our first assumption is that they are still learning. A good idea, the next thing we should do is try to help guide them to the scriptures that will help them align themselves correctly with God’s word. After a time, if they haven’t grown, and you’ve seen more and more of those concerning moments, it’s time to be more direct, there may be a sin issue preventing their progress, if you’ve been doing life with them, you probably have a good idea of what that might be. It’s time to practice the confronting a brother passage. We know how that will play out if they are genuine, and if they’re not.
2) Fruit
The fruit of the Spirit will be lacking. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
3) Blatant Instruction
Worse than the first option, and this is what Paul was facing, they are blatantly teaching false doctrine, bad theology, accusing other sound teachers of doing it wrong. You don’t have to wonder if they’ll grow out of this, you know they won’t be gently guided to truth. Not that hitting them with a Bible will do any better. You still attempt to correct him, but to no avail. This is where you have to remove them from their spot of influence, often times, that means a lot of hard conversions with the congregation. And I’ve seen a horrifying church split, where the majority followed the pastor who admitted to adultery to another church where he started pastoring. Obvious wrong behaviour might just reveal false brothers following a false brother, instead of following Jesus.
Angela,
Excellent analysis! I’m sorry you have had to experience a church split, but sadly, that seems to be a part of many lives. As we get to know our Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit helps us discern right from wrong, and sometimes that involves our church relationships.
I like CH and A’s comments before me.
The first thing I thought of was also knowing them by their fruit. Jesus certainly points us that direction. Matthew 7: 15 – 23; John 15: 1 – 8.
Rich,
Great passages!
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” — John 15:8
01-24-2024, How do you recognize a false believer.
I remember as a new believer there was a stage where I wondered why I had been called by God to be a part of a church with so many Good people. In time I was sure why I was there and wondered why the rest of the people were. We are all Imperfect beings seeking to serve our perfect God and must recognize the Holy Spirit is our guide as we seek to grow in Christ. As we focus on ourselves, our growing relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, we will begin to recognize sin in ourselves, as well as false believers within our church and know what we should do.
Matthew 22:37- 40, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Galatians 5:25, If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. AMP
Thanks Ron!
I love your description of coming to church and being in church. Yes, it is easy to forget our initial humility after awhile. Yet, if we are in Christ, if the Holy Spirit is guiding us, we find our way back to a loving humility that reflects well on our Lord.