Theological term
Offense of the Cross
2 sermons · All terms
Of Troublers and the Truth
Galatians 5:7–12 confronts the churches of Galatia with a rhetorical question of reproach — who hindered you from obeying the truth? — and Paul's answer exposes the errorists who were smuggling human obedience into the scheme of salvation. The sermon works through five movements in the passage: the question asked, the assessment given, the verdict rendered, the offense retained, and the imprecation pronounced. Central to the exposition is the conviction that any gospel attaching the works of the individual to the finished work of Christ brings confusion, distress, and fear, while the gospel of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone brings true and solid peace. Hearers are called to run the race well, to reject doctrinal error with the discernment that distinguishes not only right from wrong but right from almost right, and to be jealous for the purity of the church's doctrine.
Condemnation for the False Teachers
Galatians 5:7–12 closes Paul's doctrinal argument against the Judaizers by issuing a sharp double verdict: pastoral confidence that the Galatians will return to the truth, and solemn warning that those who corrupt the gospel of grace will bear divine judgment. The passage is expounded under two headings — the apostle's confidence (vv. 7–10) and the apostle's practice (vv. 11–12) — with particular attention to why 'obeying the truth' is synonymous with believing the gospel, why even a small admixture of law-keeping to faith ruins the whole, and why Paul's imprecation in verse 12 is not harshness but a righteous jealousy for the glory of God. The sermon calls every hearer to examine whether they have truly believed on Christ alone for justification, and warns that those who hinder others from doing so face a judgment far worse than any earthly penalty.