The Galatians had been running the race of faith well (1 Cor 9:24; Heb 12:1) and now found themselves under the influence of some people who hindered the from obeying the truth. This influence was not fro Christ who called them. Paul reminds them that a little leaven (yeast) fills the entire lump—a small negative influence can have devastating effect in a life or throughout a church (1 Cor 5:6; Mat 16:5-12). But Paul expresses confidence that the Galatian believers will stick with the truth and not fall for the persuasion. Paul reminds them that if he were preaching circumcision (and obedience to the law) then he wouldn’t be persecuted because the offence of the cross just wouldn’t be there. Paul says that he wishes that these trouble causes would not only circumcise themselves, but go further and emasculate themselves. Emasculation results in the inability to have children and Paul probably is expressing extreme desire that they are hindered of reproducing themselves spiritually—He wants this false teaching cut off for good.

With all this talk of circumcision and the law we might read through Galatians thinking it doesn’t really apply to us. But there are many things that can trip us up along the race of faith. There are many things that can hinder us from obeying the truth. What is tripping you up and hindering you from fully obeying the truth of the Gospel, of God’s word? What do you need to do today to make sure you get back on track?

Instead of the law we have been given freedom. But that freedom is not a freedom to sin (Rom 6:1). We must use our freedom to love and serve one another. Legalism results in criticising and condemning, the very opposite of love.