Galatians 5:8

Galatians 5:8 is a powerful declaration by the Apostle Paul, warning the Galatian believers against a dangerous influence that was corrupting their understanding of the Gospel. The verse states, "This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you." It serves as a stark reminder that not all teachings, even those presented with conviction, originate from God.

Context of Galatians 5:8

The book of Galatians is a passionate defense of the doctrine of justification by faith alone, apart from works of the law. Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia because they were being swayed by "Judaizers"—false teachers who insisted that Gentile Christians must be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law in addition to believing in Christ to be truly saved. This was a direct assault on the core of the Gospel, which proclaims salvation is a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul had just spent the preceding verses (Galatians 5:1-7) emphasizing the Christian freedom found in Christ and the folly of returning to a yoke of bondage. Verse 8 specifically refers to this "persuasion"—the false teaching that circumcision and adherence to the Law were necessary for salvation or spiritual perfection.

Key Themes and Messages

• Source of Truth: The verse directly addresses the origin of the false teaching. Paul asserts that this erroneous "persuasion" does not come from God, who is "him that calleth you." This highlights the critical importance of discerning the source of spiritual instruction. If a teaching contradicts God's revealed truth, it cannot originate from Him.
• The True Gospel vs. False Gospels: This verse underscores the fundamental difference between the authentic Gospel of grace and any distorted version that adds human works or legalistic requirements. Paul had already pronounced a severe anathema on those who preach "another gospel" in Galatians 1:6-9. This persuasion was a direct threat to the purity of the Gospel message.
• God's Sovereign Calling: The phrase "him that calleth you" refers to God's initiative in calling believers to salvation through Christ. This calling is based on grace, not on human merit or adherence to external rituals. The false teaching undermined the very nature of God's gracious call. For more on God's calling, see Romans 8:30.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "persuasion" is peismonē (πεισμονή), which implies a strong conviction or belief, often one that has been impressed upon someone. Paul uses it here to describe the deceptive influence of the Judaizers' arguments. The term "calleth" comes from kaleō (καλέω), meaning to call, invite, or summon. It consistently refers to God's effectual call to salvation throughout Paul's epistles, emphasizing that salvation is initiated by God's grace, not by human effort or performance.

Practical Application

Galatians 5:8 remains highly relevant for believers today. It serves as a timeless warning against false doctrines and teachings that subtly or overtly add requirements to the simple Gospel of grace. We must be vigilant to test all teachings against the clear truth of God's Word (1 John 4:1). Any message that diminishes the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross, promotes salvation by works, or leads believers back into legalistic bondage, does not come from "him that calleth you." True spiritual freedom comes from understanding that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law.