Understanding Paul’s Surprised Question to the Galatians
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?”
When you hear someone say, “Who has bewitched you?” it might sound like they’re talking about magic or spells. But in Galatians 3:1, the apostle Paul uses this strong phrase to express how shocked he is with a group of early Christians. Let’s break down what this means, and why it mattered to them—and still matters to us.
Who Were the Galatians, and What Was Happening?
The Galatians were people living in a region called Galatia, in what is now Turkey. Paul had visited them and shared the message of Jesus: that we are saved and made right with God through faith in Christ—not by following a bunch of religious rules or old traditions.
Over time, though, some teachers (sometimes called Judaizers) came in and convinced the Galatians that they needed to follow the old Jewish laws, like circumcision and special rituals, to really be saved. This went against everything Paul had taught them about simple faith in Jesus.
What Does “Who Has Bewitched You?” Mean?
When Paul writes, “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you…?” he’s not saying someone literally cast a spell on them. “Bewitched” here means deceived or tricked. It’s as if Paul is saying, “How could you be so fooled? Who made you lose sight of the truth?”
Paul is genuinely surprised and frustrated. He had taught them clearly about Jesus—so clearly, he says it was like Jesus had been “crucified among you,” almost as if they had seen it with their own eyes. Yet even with such a clear message, the Galatians were being led astray by these new teachers.
Why Is Paul So Upset?
Paul is upset because the Galatians are turning away from the core message of Christianity: we are saved by faith in Jesus, not by earning it with good deeds or religious rituals. He reminds them that:
· They received the Holy Spirit not because they followed rules, but because they believed in Jesus.
· God showed them favor and did amazing things among them after they trusted Christ—again, not because of their works, but because of their faith.
· Paul had already explained this to them. Going back to a “rules-based” religion was like forgetting everything they had learned.
Modern Meaning—Why Does This Matter?
Paul’s words are still important today. Sometimes, people think being a “good person” or following certain traditions is what makes them right with God. But the Bible’s message is about trusting in what Jesus did for us—not trying to earn our way to heaven.
Paul’s question, “Who has bewitched you?” challenges us to think about what we believe—and why. Are we holding on to faith in Jesus, or are we slipping back into trying to earn God’s approval?
Key Takeaway: Faith Over Works
Galatians 3:1-3
Paul’s striking words—“Who has bewitched you?”—serve as a wake-up call for all believers, past and present. The Galatians, once captivated by the reality of Christ’s sacrifice, were now being misled into thinking that spiritual growth or acceptance with God could be earned by human effort. Paul reminds them that the Spirit was received not by performing religious rituals or keeping the law, but by simply trusting in what they heard—the good news of Jesus.
The core message is clear: salvation and spiritual life begin and continue by faith. Returning to self-reliance and rule-keeping undermines the work of grace. Paul urges us not to abandon the freedom and power found in trusting Christ alone. Let no one convince you otherwise—God’s gift of salvation is received by faith, from start to finish.
Minister A Francine Green
July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 