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"False brethren secretly brought in…"

Text: Galatians 2:4a

PAUL’S ASSESSMENT

Paul gave his assessment of the controversy that arose from the dispute about the practice of circumcision.

And this occurred because of false brethren secretly
brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty
which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring
us into bondage).

Galatians 2:4

1. “And this occurred”

a) This is a reference to the controversy that arose in the Church in Antioch, Syria (Acts 15:1-2).

b) Paul and Barnabas stood up against them and there was a huge dispute (Acts 15:2).

2. Who were these people who caused the dispute?

a) They came from Judea (Acts 15:1).

b) They presumptuously began to teach the brethren in the Church at Antioch, Syria.

c) They were called “false brethren” by the apostle Paul.

d) They had come into the Church in Antioch “by stealth”.

3. What did they attempt to do?

a) They came to spy out the liberty the Galatians enjoyed as Gentile Christians.

i) They did not keep Jewish customs and laws.

ii) They did not practise circumcision.

b) They had come in to teach Jewish laws.

i) They insisted that all believers must be circumcised.

ii) Failure to circumcise was a major fault.

iii) They were seeking to bring Gentile believers into the bondage of keeping Jewish laws.

4. Liberty in Christ

a) The gospel offered salvation full and free.

b) The believer stands fully justified by his faith in Christ.

c) He has full access to God through the Lord Jesus.

d) He has peace with God and also His great love.

e) There were no obligations to keep Jewish customs and laws for all Gentile believers.

f) Paul defended this “liberty” in Christ against the false teachers.