7 You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Ye did run well. The censure which the apostle administers for their present departure from the truth is mingled with approbation of their former course, for the express purpose that, by being brought to a sense of shame, they may return more speedily to the right path. The astonishment conveyed in the question, who hindered you? was intended to produce a blush. I have chosen to translate the Greek word peithsthai, obey, rather than believe, because, having once embraced the purity of the gospel, they had been led away from a course of obedience.
Ye did run well - The Christian life is often represented as a race; see the notes at 1-Corinthians 9:24-26. Paul means here, that they began the Christian life with ardour and zeal; compare Galatians 4:15.
Who did hinder you - Margin, "Drive you back." The word used here (ἀνακόπτω anakoptō) means properly to beat or drive back. Hence, it means to hinder, check, or retard. Dr. Doddridge remarks that this is "an Olympic expression, and properly signifies "coming across the course" while a person is running in it, in such a manner as to jostle, and throw him out of the way." Paul asks, with emphasis, who it could have been that retarded them in their Christian course, implying that it could have been done only by their own consent, or that there was really no cause why they should not have continued as they began.
That ye should not obey the truth - The true system of justification by faith in the Redeemer. That you should have turned aside, and embraced the dangerous errors in regard to the necessity of obeying the laws of Moses.
Ye did run well - Ye once had the faith that worked by love - ye were genuine, active, useful Christians.
Who doth hinder - Who prevented you from continuing to obey the truth? Ye could only be turned aside by your own consent. St. Paul here, as in 1-Corinthians 9:24 (note), compares Christianity to a race. See the notes on the above text.
(6) Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
(6) Again he chides the Galatians, but with both an admiration and a praise of their former race, so that he may make them more ashamed.
Ye did run well,.... In the Christian race; when they first set out in a profession of religion, they embraced and held fast, and were zealously attached to the truths of the Gospel; they were in the lively exercise of grace on its proper object, and very diligent in the discharge of duty; they made great proficiency in the knowledge of divine things, and ran with cheerfulness and without weariness in the ways of Christ, and in the paths of truth and holiness. The metaphor is taken from runners in a race; see 1-Corinthians 9:24 so far this is said to their commendation, but this should have been persisted in:
who did hinder you; not the apostle, or any of his brethren; no, they encouraged them to go on, and gave them all the assistance they could, to help them forward; but it was the false apostles that hindered them, who did all they could to remove them to another Gospel, and turn them aside out of the right way:
that ye should not obey the truth? of the Gospel, particularly the truth of justification by the righteousness of Christ; which they did not so cheerfully embrace, and show such a respect unto, as they had formerly done; see Galatians 3:1, and which he says not by way of inquiry, but of complaint and concern; and with some indignation against the persons who had been the means of hindering their Christian progress, and with a view to reclaim the Galatians if possible.
The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and hold on, if he would obtain the prize. It is not enough that we profess Christianity, but we must run well, by living up to that profession. Many who set out fairly in religion, are hindered in their progress, or turn out of the way. It concerns those who begin to turn out of the way, or to tire in it, seriously to inquire what hinders them. The opinion or persuasion, Galatians 5:8, was, no doubt, that of mixing the works of the law with faith in Christ in justification. The apostle leaves them to judge whence it must arise, but sufficiently shows that it could be owing to none but Satan. It is dangerous for Christian churches to encourage those who follow, but especially who spread, destructive errors. And in reproving sin and error, we should always distinguish between the leaders and the led. The Jews were offended, because Christ was preached as the only salvation for sinners. If Paul and others would have admitted that the observance of the law of Moses was to be joined with faith in Christ, as necessary to salvation, then believers might have avoided many of the sufferings they underwent. The first beginnings of such leaven should be opposed. And assuredly those who persist in disturbing the church of Christ must bear their judgment.
Translate, "Ye were running well" in the Gospel race (1-Corinthians 9:24-26; Philippians 3:13-14).
who, &c.--none whom you ought to have listened to [BENGEL]: alluding to the Judaizers (compare Galatians 3:1).
hinder--The Greek means, literally, "hinder by breaking up a road."
not obey the truth--not submit yourselves to the true Gospel way of justification.
Ye did run well. A figure from the Grecian games. Compare Galatians 2:2; 1-Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 12:1.
Who did hinder? So as to stop your running. They had ceased to run by turning from the truth.
This persuasion. To obey not the truth. It was not of him that called them, God, that they should turn from it.
A little leaven, etc. A proverb which condenses a sermon. Probably only one or two Judaizers had done all this evil work in Galatia. A very little thing in the beginning will sometimes work a great mischief.
I have confidence. That they will be none otherwise minded than himself.
He that troubleth you. All these false teachers shall be brought to condemnation, whoever they may be.
Ye did run well - In the race of faith. Who hath hindered you in your course, that ye should not still obey the truth?
*More commentary available at chapter level.