I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Summary: Paul takes a breath and expresses his confidence that all is not lost for the Galatians.
Paul is confident in his view. Like his comment about yeast, his statement that he is “confident in the Lord” is open to interpretation. In fact, looking through all English translations of this verse is enlightening. There is an unusually wide variety of wording in the different translations. The one I liked the best is this one:
“Deep down, the Master has given me confidence that you will not defect.” (Message Translation)
This phrasing tells me that Paul has not given up on the Galatians but hopes to refocus their minds on the original mission: Jesus.
This point is important.
The other people who misled the Galatians are being warned, too. The phrase “pay the penalty” is often translated as “bear his judgment” (KJV), meaning the Lord’s judgment.
If all were lost, Paul would not waste his time writing this letter. Instead, he expends a great deal of effort to explain the situation to the Galatians. They are being corrected, and Paul is patiently pointing them back in the right direction.
Notice how Paul avoids passing judgment on individuals himself. He knows that if he did, he would be treading on responsibilities reserved for God alone. Yet that doesn’t keep Paul from explaining the hazards of ignoring God’s Word…
… or worse, adding to it.
The errors of the people teaching circumcision might be honest ones. Not everyone understood the law as Paul did. Even today, all kinds of people believe they are serving God when they criticize other believers who hold to different faith traditions. If we are judged on the purity of our theology, I suspect we will all be found lacking in some measure.
Despite the anger Paul expresses at those who have “cut in” on his beloved Galatians, God’s Great Commandments still stand (Matthew 22: 37-40). We are to love God above all else and our neighbor as ourselves.
Application: Love your neighbor, even as you strive to help them understand God’s Word.
Food for Thought: What sort of “penalty” or judgment do you think Paul had in mind?
2 Peter 2 covers this subject quite well. The ultimate penalty for not putting ones faith in Christ is enternal seperation from God. For one who leads others away from Christ there are penalties in this life as well.
19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Thank you, Chris!
Great passage reference!
What sort of “penalty” or judgment do you think Paul had in mind?
Galatians 5:10a, I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.
Galatians 5:10b, The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
If Paul and others would have agreed that salvation was achieved by observing the law of Moses, as well as faith in Christ, then believers might have avoided many of the sufferings they were being subjected to.
Such leaven should be opposed at it’s first beginnings, and those continuing to contradict, add to the truth of Christ, will bear the burden of judgement of God.
Thanks Ron
I suppose now that everything is electronic such things would be called e-leven.
🙂
The penalty clearly refers to answering to God as our judge. Leading one of His children astray is a serious offense.
Matthew 18: 6: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.“
Thank you Rich
God truly loves and protects his little ones.
What sort of “penalty” or judgment do you think Paul had in mind?
I agree and like all the previous comments but my mind is always going on a different path. Same destination but just not always on the established walkway.
It might be different writers but the same author Mathew 7:2 comes to mind. But I guess I’m not the only one who’s minds went to Matthew.
Hi Tim,
Yes, Matthew 7:2 is a very appropriate verse:
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
This is exactly the warning that keeps Paul’s frustration and our own in check.