### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G940}}` (βασκαίνω, *baskaínō*) carries the primary sense of "to malign" or "to slander," often implying the casting of an evil spell or the infliction of harm through an "evil eye." Its etymological root is debated, but a connection to φάσκω (*phaskō*), "to say" or "to declare," suggests that the malign influence might be communicated verbally or through a powerful, deceptive declaration. By extension, it comes to mean "to fascinate" or "to bewitch," not necessarily in a magical sense, but in the sense of captivating someone's mind or judgment through false representations, leading them astray from truth or right perception. The underlying connotation is always negative: a malevolent influence that distorts reality and causes spiritual or psychological harm. It implies a loss of clear vision or sound judgment, often due to external, deceptive persuasion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G940}}` appears only once in the New Testament, in Paul's letter to the Galatians:
* **Galatians 3:1**: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified." [[Galatians 3:1]]
In this sole occurrence, Paul uses `{{G940}}` with rhetorical force to express his astonishment and dismay at the Galatians' rapid departure from the truth of the gospel. The "bewitching" here is not literal magic or sorcery, but a powerful, deceptive spiritual influence exerted by false teachers (the Judaizers) who had infiltrated the Galatian churches. These teachers were advocating for adherence to the Law, particularly circumcision, as necessary for salvation, thereby undermining the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work and the principle of salvation by grace through faith.
Paul's question, "Who has bewitched you?", highlights the irrationality of their turning away from the clear, vivid portrayal of Christ's crucifixion, which had been presented to them as the sole basis for their salvation. The implication is that they have fallen under a spell of spiritual blindness or delusion, causing them to abandon the foundational truth they had initially embraced. The verb emphasizes the insidious and captivating nature of this false teaching, which had so effectively clouded their judgment and drawn them away from the simplicity of the gospel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "bewitching" or spiritual deception, as conveyed by `{{G940}}`, resonates with several other biblical themes and terms:
* **Deception and Leading Astray**: Words like `{{G4105}}` (πλανάω, *planáō*, "to lead astray, deceive") and `{{G538}}` (ἀπατάω, *apatáō*, "to deceive, mislead") capture the essence of being drawn away from truth.
* **False Teaching**: The influence described by `{{G940}}` in Galatians is directly linked to `{{G5579}}` (ψευδοδιδάσκαλος, *pseudodidáskalos*, "false teacher") and `{{G5578}}` (ψευδοπροφήτης, *pseudoprophḗtēs*, "false prophet"). These individuals propagate doctrines that contradict the pure gospel.
* **Spiritual Blindness**: The effect of being "bewitched" is akin to spiritual blindness, where individuals fail to perceive or correctly interpret spiritual truth. This can be seen in phrases like "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers" in [[2 Corinthians 4:4]].
* **The Power of the Enemy**: The ultimate source of such deceptive influences is often attributed to Satan, who "disguises himself as an angel of light" [[2 Corinthians 11:14]] to lead people astray.
* **Legalism and Works-Righteousness**: In the context of Galatians, the "bewitching" led the believers back to a system of works-righteousness, contrasting sharply with the grace-based salvation in Christ.
### Theological Significance
The single occurrence of `{{G940}}` carries profound theological weight, serving as a powerful warning against spiritual deception and the insidious nature of false teaching.
1. **Vulnerability to Deception**: It highlights the inherent vulnerability of believers to subtle, yet potent, influences that can distort their understanding of foundational truths. Even those who have clearly heard and responded to the gospel can be "bewitched" if they do not remain vigilant and grounded in truth.
2. **The Gravity of Theological Error**: Paul's strong language ("O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?") underscores the seriousness of abandoning the gospel of grace for any form of legalism or works-based salvation. Such a shift is not merely a minor theological disagreement but a fundamental departure from the core of Christian faith, akin to being spiritually ensnared.
3. **The Clarity of the Gospel**: The contrast between the "bewitching" and Christ "publicly portrayed as crucified" emphasizes the clarity and self-authenticating power of the true gospel. The crucifixion is not a hidden mystery but a publicly attested historical event with profound theological implications, making any deviation from its centrality a clear act of delusion.
4. **The Ongoing Spiritual Battle**: The use of `{{G940}}` points to the reality of spiritual warfare, not just against demonic entities but also against deceptive ideologies and false doctrines that seek to undermine faith in Christ. Believers must cultivate discernment and cling to sound doctrine.
5. **The Importance of Discernment**: The passage implicitly calls believers to exercise discernment, to test what they hear, and to remain steadfast in the truth of the gospel, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth ([[John 16:13]]).
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G940}}` (βασκαίνω, *baskaínō*), translated as "bewitch," signifies a malign influence that fascinates or captivates through false representations, leading to a distortion of truth and sound judgment. Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[Galatians 3:1]] powerfully illustrates Paul's alarm over the Galatians' susceptibility to false teachers who were drawing them away from the liberating truth of salvation by grace through faith in Christ. This "bewitching" was not literal magic but a potent spiritual deception that clouded their understanding of the clear portrayal of Christ's crucifixion as the basis for their redemption. The word serves as a timeless warning against the insidious nature of theological error and the critical importance of spiritual discernment in upholding the purity of the gospel amidst competing influences.
TRV