Galatians 5:7

KJV

Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye did run {G5143} well {G2573}; who {G5101} did hinder {G348}{G1465} you {G5209} that ye should {G3982} not {G3361} obey {G3982} the truth {G225}?

Complete Jewish Bible

You were running the race well; who has stopped you from following the truth?

Berean Standard Bible

You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?

American Standard Version

Ye were running well; who hindered you that ye should not obey the truth?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 5:7 is a powerful rhetorical question posed by the Apostle Paul, expressing his profound dismay and frustration over the Galatian believers' sudden deviation from the pure gospel of grace. Having begun their Christian journey with remarkable spiritual vitality and adherence to truth, they had been inexplicably hindered, turning away from the simplicity of faith in Christ's finished work toward the burdensome requirements of the Mosaic Law. Paul's inquiry challenges them to identify the source of this spiritual derailment, emphasizing the critical importance of continuing in the truth they initially embraced.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Galatians 5:7 is strategically positioned within Paul's impassioned argument for Christian freedom and against legalism. It follows his emphatic declaration in [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Firm in Freedom") to "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Paul has just warned against circumcision as a requirement for salvation, asserting that those who seek justification through the Law are severed from Christ and fallen from grace ([Galatians 5:2-4](/galatians/5-2-4 "Galatians 5:2-4 - Circumcision and Grace")). The verse acts as a lament and a direct challenge, interrupting the flow of theological exposition to address the practical reality of their apostasy. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent warnings about the dangers of false teaching and his exhortation to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh, culminating in the fruit of the Spirit in [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The churches in Galatia, likely located in the Roman province of Galatia (southern region), were primarily Gentile converts who had enthusiastically received Paul's gospel message of salvation by grace through faith. However, after Paul's departure, a group of Jewish Christians, known as "Judaizers," infiltrated these churches. These teachers insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and observe other aspects of the Mosaic Law to be truly saved or fully righteous before God. This teaching directly contradicted Paul's gospel, which proclaimed freedom from the Law as a means of justification. The cultural pressure to conform to Jewish practices, particularly circumcision, was significant, as it was a visible sign of covenant membership and social acceptance within Jewish communities. For Gentiles, adopting such practices could have been seen as a way to gain legitimacy or avoid persecution, making the Judaizers' message deceptively appealing.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 5:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the epistle. Foremost is the theme of **Justification by Faith Alone**, which Paul vigorously defends against any attempt to add works of the Law. The Galatians' initial "running well" signifies their embrace of this truth, while their hindrance points to the insidious nature of **Legalism**, which undermines the sufficiency of Christ's work. The verse also highlights the theme of **Christian Freedom**, emphasizing that true liberty is found in Christ, not in adherence to external regulations. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of **Spiritual Perseverance** and **Discernment**, as believers must constantly guard against false teachings that would divert them from the "truth" of the gospel, which is the singular path to salvation and sanctification, as Paul explains in [Galatians 3:1-3](/galatians/3-1-3 "Galatians 3:1-3 - Foolish Galatians").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **run (Greek, _tréchō'_):** This verb signifies to run or walk hastily, often used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe the Christian life as a race or a course of conduct. Here, it implies that the Galatians had started their spiritual journey with vigor, purpose, and in the correct direction, making good progress in their faith and understanding of the gospel of grace.
* **hinder (Greek, _anakóptō'_):** From ἀνά and κόπτω, meaning "to beat back" or "check." This powerful verb vividly portrays an active, disruptive intervention. It suggests someone or something cut into their path, broke up their road, or impeded their forward spiritual movement, causing them to stop or turn aside from their original course. It implies a forceful and deliberate obstruction.
* **truth (Greek, _alḗtheia'_):** Derived from ἀληθής, meaning "true" or "verity." In the context of Galatians, "the truth" refers specifically to the authentic gospel message concerning justification by faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from the works of the Mosaic Law. It represents the objective reality of God's redemptive plan and the core tenets of Christian doctrine that Paul had originally preached to them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye did run well":** This clause serves as a commendation and an acknowledgment of the Galatians' initial spiritual vitality and correct understanding of the gospel. It paints a picture of eager, purposeful progress in their Christian walk, having embraced the truth of salvation by grace through faith. Paul affirms their commendable start, underscoring the tragedy of their subsequent deviation.
* **"who did hinder you":** This is the core of Paul's rhetorical question, a direct challenge to identify the source of their spiritual derailment. The use of "who" (G5101, _tís_) implies a specific agent or group responsible for obstructing their progress. In the context of the letter, this points directly to the Judaizers who were teaching a distorted gospel. Paul's question is not seeking information he doesn't already have, but rather aims to provoke the Galatians to introspection and recognition of the harmful influence.
* **"that ye should not obey the truth?":** This final clause clarifies the consequence of the hindrance: their failure to continue in obedience to the gospel message they had initially received. "Obey the truth" means to live in accordance with and remain faithful to the pure doctrine of justification by faith in Christ. Their deviation into legalism was, in essence, a disobedience to this foundational truth, compromising their spiritual freedom and relationship with Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **Literary Devices** in Galatians 5:7. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the Christian life is depicted as a **race** ("Ye did run well"). This athletic imagery, common in Paul's epistles, conveys the idea of effort, progress, and a defined course. The concept of being "hindered" further develops this metaphor, suggesting an external force or obstacle that cut into their path and prevented them from completing their race. Secondly, Paul uses a powerful **Rhetorical Question** ("who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"). This is not a request for information, but a forceful way to highlight the absurdity and tragedy of their situation, to provoke self-examination, and to emphasize the clear culpability of the false teachers. The question implies that the hindrance was external and malicious, designed to divert them from the path of truth. Finally, there is an element of **Irony** in the Galatians' situation: having begun in the Spirit and with freedom, they were now turning back to the very bondage from which Christ had liberated them, a point Paul makes explicitly in [Galatians 3:3](/galatians/3-3 "Galatians 3:3 - Begun in the Spirit, perfected by the flesh?").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 5:7 serves as a poignant reminder of the constant spiritual vigilance required to maintain fidelity to the gospel of grace. It underscores that the Christian life is not merely about a good start, but about persevering in the truth. The "hindrance" highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, where forces (often in the guise of religious teachers) actively seek to distort the simplicity of the gospel and lead believers back into legalistic bondage. The verse powerfully contrasts the liberating truth of Christ with the enslaving demands of human-imposed religious systems, emphasizing that true obedience is to the gospel itself, which sets us free, not to external rules that bind us.

* [1 Corinthians 9:24](/1_corinthians/9-24 "1 Corinthians 9:24 - Run to Win the Prize")
* [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - Run with Perseverance")
* [2 Peter 3:17](/2_peter/3-17 "2 Peter 3:17 - Beware of Falling from Steadfastness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 5:7 challenges us to critically examine our own spiritual journey and the influences that shape our faith. Just as the Galatians "did run well" initially, many believers start with fervent faith and a clear understanding of grace, only to be subtly or overtly diverted by teachings that add human effort, rituals, or traditions as prerequisites for God's favor or deeper spirituality. This verse serves as a potent warning against any form of legalism, whether it's an overt demand for works or a subtle shift towards self-reliance and performance-based acceptance. We are called to remain steadfast in the truth that salvation and sanctification are entirely by God's grace through faith in Christ alone. Our spiritual "race" requires constant discernment to identify and resist anything that would "hinder" our obedience to this liberating truth, ensuring we continue to grow in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit, rather than falling back into the bondage of works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I be subtly or overtly relying on my own efforts or external rules rather than solely on Christ's finished work?**
* **What "hinderers" or false teachings, whether from external sources or internal doubts, might be attempting to divert me from the simplicity and freedom of the gospel of grace?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper understanding and unwavering obedience to "the truth" of the gospel in my daily life and theological convictions?**
* **Am I continuing to "run well" in my faith, or have I lost some of the initial zeal and clarity I once had regarding God's grace?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "Ye did run well"?**

Answer: Paul uses an athletic **metaphor** to commend the Galatians for their initial spiritual progress. "Ye did run well" signifies that when they first heard and embraced the gospel Paul preached, they did so with enthusiasm, understanding, and in the correct direction. They were making good spiritual headway, living in the freedom of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, as Paul reminds them in [Galatians 3:2-3](/galatians/3-2-3 "Galatians 3:2-3 - Receiving the Spirit by Faith"). It acknowledges their commendable start in the Christian life, emphasizing the tragic nature of their subsequent deviation.

**Who were the "hinderers" Paul refers to?**

Answer: The "hinderers" Paul refers to were primarily the **Judaizers**, a group of Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile believers needed to observe elements of the Mosaic Law, such as circumcision, in addition to faith in Christ for salvation. These false teachers actively propagated a distorted gospel, effectively "cutting into" the Galatians' spiritual path and diverting them from the pure message of grace. Paul condemns their teaching as "another gospel" in [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - Paul's Warning Against Another Gospel"), emphasizing its destructive nature.

**What does it mean to "obey the truth" in this context?**

Answer: To "obey the truth" in Galatians 5:7 means to remain faithful to and live in accordance with the authentic gospel message. This "truth" is that salvation and righteousness come solely through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from any works of the Law. The Galatians' "disobedience" was their willingness to abandon this foundational truth and embrace the legalistic teachings of the Judaizers, which effectively denied the sufficiency of Christ's work and put them back under a yoke of bondage, as described in [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Stand Firm in Freedom"). It implies both intellectual assent to sound doctrine and practical living consistent with that doctrine.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 5:7, though a lament, powerfully points to Christ as the ultimate goal and enabler of our spiritual race. When Paul says "Ye did run well," he implicitly refers to their initial embrace of Christ and His finished work on the cross, the very truth that sets us free from the Law's curse ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). The "truth" they were hindered from obeying is not merely a set of doctrines, but the person of Jesus Christ Himself, who declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Our spiritual race is not towards self-justification through works, but towards Christlikeness, empowered by the Spirit, as we fix our eyes on Jesus, the "author and finisher of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking Unto Jesus")). Any "hinderer" or false teaching that diverts us from the simplicity of faith in Christ alone ultimately seeks to diminish His sufficiency and glory, compelling us to return to a system of human effort that He perfectly fulfilled. Thus, to "obey the truth" is to continually cling to Christ, the source of our freedom and the very essence of the gospel, ensuring our race is run in Him and for Him, not in vain ([Philippians 3:12-14](/philippians/3-12-14 "Philippians 3:12-14 - Pressing Toward the Goal")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 9:24

¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

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?

Hebrews 12:1

¶ Wherefore 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,

Romans 2:8

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Matthew 13:21

Yet 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.

1 Peter 1:22

Seeing 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 Corinthians 10:5

Casting 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;