Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Original Language Analysis
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 19
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐβάσκανεν
hath bewitched
G940
ἐβάσκανεν
hath bewitched
Strong's:
G940
Word #:
6 of 19
to malign, i.e., (by extension) to fascinate (by false representations)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πείθεσθαι,
obey
G3982
πείθεσθαι,
obey
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
10 of 19
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
οἷς
whose
G3739
οἷς
whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κατ'
before
G2596
κατ'
before
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
12 of 19
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eyes
G3788
ὀφθαλμοὺς
eyes
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
13 of 19
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
14 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.Revelation 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.Galatians 1:6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:Ephesians 4:14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;1 Peter 4:17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?Hebrews 11:8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.2 Peter 2:18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.Galatians 3:3Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?Galatians 4:9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Historical Context
Written around AD 48-49 to the churches of Galatia (central Turkey), this letter addresses Paul's first major crisis: Judaizers teaching that Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law for salvation. Paul had founded these churches on his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). The letter is possibly Christianity's earliest epistle, predating even the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), where this very controversy would be formally addressed. The 'foolish Galatians' were likely Celtic tribes conquered by Rome in 25 BC, known for being easily swayed.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'bewitching' influences in your life tempt you to add works to Christ's finished work on the cross?
- How does Paul's vivid 'placarding' of the crucified Christ inform how you should preach or share the gospel?
- In what ways might you be acting 'foolishly' by trusting in your own religious performance rather than Christ's perfect sacrifice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Paul's passionate rebuke begins with anoētoi (ἀνόητοι)—'foolish, senseless'—those who have lost their minds. The verb 'bewitched' (ebaskanen, ἐβάσκανεν) evokes the evil eye superstition, suggesting demonic deception has clouded their judgment. Paul had proegraphē (προεγράφη)—'publicly portrayed, placarded'—Christ crucified before their very eyes, as if painting a vivid billboard.
The phrase 'evidently set forth, crucified' translates one Greek participle estaurōmenos (ἐσταυρωμένος)—perfect tense, emphasizing the abiding significance of Christ's completed work. Paul's preaching had been a visual drama of Calvary. To abandon justification by faith for works-righteousness is to reject this graphic display of grace. The rhetorical question implies demonic agency behind the Judaizers' success in Galatia.