Galatians 5:7
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Original Language Analysis
Ἐτρέχετε
Ye did run
G5143
Ἐτρέχετε
Ye did run
Strong's:
G5143
Word #:
1 of 9
which uses ????? <pronunciation strongs="drem'-o"/> (the base of g1408) as alternate in certain tenses; to run or walk hastily (literally or figurativ
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
3 of 9
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.Galatians 3:1O 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?Hebrews 12:1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,Matthew 13:21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.Romans 2:8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,Romans 6:17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.2 Corinthians 10:5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;1 Peter 1:22Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:Hebrews 5:9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Historical Context
The Galatians' rapid apostasy from clear gospel teaching troubled Paul deeply (1:6). Athletic metaphors were common in Greco-Roman culture and Paul's writings. The Christian race requires perseverance, focus, stripping off hindrances (Hebrews 12:1-2). The Galatians stumbled because false teachers deliberately obstructed them. This pattern continues: promising young Christians often derailed by plausible-sounding but false teaching. The remedy: know the truth well enough to recognize error, and run with enduring focus on Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- Who or what has 'hindered' your spiritual race, causing you to slow down or veer off course?
- How do you maintain spiritual momentum and resist those who would obstruct your progress in the gospel?
- What does it mean practically to 'obey the truth' versus merely knowing or agreeing with it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Paul's pathos-filled questions. "Ye did run well" (etrochete kalōs, ἐτρέχετε καλῶς)—you were running excellently. Athletic imagery: Christian life as race (1 Corinthians 9:24, Philippians 2:16, Hebrews 12:1). Imperfect tense suggests continuous past action: you were running well for a time. They started strongly, making gospel progress, growing in grace and truth. Then something changed.
"Who did hinder you" (tis hymas enekopsen, τίς ὑμᾶς ἐνέκοψεν)—who cut in on you, obstructed you? Enkoptō (ἐγκόπτω) means to cut into, impede, hinder—like cutting into a runner's lane, blocking their path. The Judaizers disrupted their progress. "That ye should not obey the truth" (tē alētheia mē peithesthai)—so that you don't obey/trust the truth. The gospel truth they initially embraced, they now disobey by embracing false teaching. Paul's grief is palpable: you were doing so well! What happened? Implied answer: the Judaizers happened, cutting in, leading you astray.