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REJECTING THE FALSE TEACHERS
GALATIANS 1:6-9; ROMANS 16:17-18; 2 JOHN 9-11
(October 6, 2019 – SUN p.m. – MBC baesa)
Introduction:
I- REJECTION OF THE FALSE MESSAGES (Galatians 1:6–9)
A. FALSE MESSAGES DISTORTS THE GOSPEL (v. 6–7)
Galatians 1:6-7 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ”
• Usually Paul commended his readers before launching into the main subject in every other one of his epistles. But this time Paul have no such praise he recorded here. The absence of Paul praise stressed the seriousness of his readers' error and his appeal is urgent.
• Paul said “I marvel” (Greek word thaumazo) means he was amazed, it was a conventional expression in Greek letters that signaled astonishment, rebuke, disapproval, and disappointment.
• Paul states, “ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel”
→ Evidently, that was when Paul’s writing Galatians before the Jerusalem Council in A.D.49, and after Paul and Barnabas perform evangelism effort in Asia Minor on their first missionary journey (Acts chapters 13 to 14). This epistle assumed the destination in South Galatia. Consequently it had been only a few months since these Galatians readers had accepted the gospel that Paul had preached unto them and had turned from it.
→ Paul described how the Galatians “so soon” turned from. The Greek word “tacheos” translated “so quickly” in NASB, it has the sense of easily. – 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 1 Timothy 5:22.
• The “him” in verse 6 was God, the one who had called the Galatians (Galatians 1:15; Galatians 5:8). Paul was telling the Galatians that they become disloyal or properly translated “deserting” God in NASB.
• Paul writes “unto another gospel” – Gospel means good news. However, the “gospel” that got the interest of the Galatians was not good news. This was bad news.
• In our passage there is clear indication of significant differences:
• The Greek word “heteros” meaning “another of a different kind.” – Galatians 1:6, while the Greek word “allos” meaning “another of the same kind.” – Galatians 1:7.
→ Sometimes these words are interchangeable (2 Corinthians 11:4), but here in our passage and elsewhere they clearly indicate significant differences as Paul stressed.
→ If this contrary to the bible, it is anti-bible, then anti-gospel of Christ so anti-Christ, and therefore anti-God
• Paul said in verse 7, the false messages or preaching of these false teachers “trouble” the Galatians since these are unrest following Paul. The root word translated “disturbing” which is translated in NASB which describes the opposite of the word translated “peace” (Galatians 1:3).
• It says In verse 7 “pervert the gospel of Christ” – the word pervert in KJV translated “distort” in NASB and ESV.
SUMMARY: The preaching of these false teachers are perverting or distorting the good news of Jesus Christ. So, Paul wants the Galatians to reject the messages of these false teachers.
B. FALSE MESSAGES DESERVES YOUR CENSURE (v. 8–9)
Galatians 1:8-9 ”But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
• In verse 8, these false teachers apparently claimed the highest authority for their doctrines since Paul instructed a strong warning to the Galatians to reject the false preaching even if it come from angelic messengers sent from heaven.
→ Example: Islam claims that Mohammed received his revelations from the angel Gabriel.
• In verse 9 Paul said, “As we said before, so say I now again,” – Paul emphasized his repeated warning.
→ The prior warning in verse 9 probably refers to what Paul had told them when he was with them in person rather than to what he had just said in verse 8.
→ In verse 9, the word “we” strongly involved Paul and his fellow missionaries, not just Paul alone.
• We observe that many of those who teach another gospel, even some commentators, as well as other readers of this epistle were bothered when Paul says in verses 8 and 9, “Let them be damned”, or “Let them be condemned”.
→ But that is an evidence, proof or shows how little the gospel of God’s grace is understood and appreciated and how little many Christians are concerned for the advance of biblical truth.
• The word “accursed” refers to being under God’s judgment and not just excommunication, since an angel could be possible object. Now, Paul changed from subjunctive mood of verse 8 to indicative mood in verse 9.
SUMMARY: It’s a biblical command to reject the false messages. The false preaching that perverts or distorts the gospel of Christ deserves the believers censure or disapproval. Christian should strongly stand against perverting the gospel.
II- REJECTION OF FORBIDDEN COMPANIONSHIP (Romans 16:17–18)
A. FALSE TEACHERS CAUSE DISSENSION (v. 17)
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
• Paul clearly underline the false teachers that cause “division and offences contrary to the doctrine” of the bible. Paul don’t want us to be a companion of false teachers whom we disagreed that leads to discord.
• Paul plainly said, “mark them…and avoid them”. False teachers were a danger to all the churches. Paul urged his Roman readers to mark and avoid them in verse 17.
→ Paul warned the Roman Christians that these false teachers might enter the fold. This Paul brief warning argues against thinking that false teachers were presently active in the church.
SUMMARY: Avoid friendship or being companion and separate from divisive and contradicting doctrines.
B. FALSE TEACHERS USE DECEPTION (v. 18)
Romans 16:18 “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
• We cannot be at all sure which false teachers it was, if Paul had one particular group in his mind.
→ In verse 18 Paul used “they” and “their”. If Paul have had more than one group in mind or Paul may have been
warning in general way against a danger of deception which Paul knew would always threaten dangerously the churches but could present itself in many deceiving different forms.
• Remember Satan is the deceiver of the whole world (Revelation 12:9), Satan beguiled Eve and can corrupt the
simplicity of the mind who are Christ and beside there will some who will preach another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
→ There will be deceitful workers transformed themselves into the apostles of Christ Satan transformed himself into the angel of light. Ministers of Satan transformed themselves into the ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)
• However, in verse 19, Paul was confident that his readers could handle this threat of deception because according to Paul they had a reputation for their “obedience” to the apostles instructions.
→ In verse 18, it says “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” – Therefore it would be best for the believers to never be companion of these deceiving teachers with deceiving preaching.
→ Yes, the innocent among God’s people tend to accept false teachers, and the wise normally reject them. Therefore, Paul in verse 19 wanted his readers to be wise concerning all good and innocent only regarding evil.
WARNING: Avoid companion with false teachers that causes dissension and use deception.
SUMMARY: The false doctrines contrary to Christianity, cause our dissension or discord from them, especially they use deception thus warns us to never have companion with these false teachers.
III- REJECTION OF FAKE MINISTRIES (2 John 9–11)
• John purposely wrote to encourage his readers to resist the false teachers who were distorting the truth and deceiving some of the believers.
→ In verse 7 according to John, this type of false teacher is a “deceiver” as well as opposed to Christ therefore an antichrist not mean the end time Antichrist for has yet to appear. John says that anybody who denies the truth is a very antichrist, just as we might speak of a supremely evil person as the very devil.
• In verse 8, John said “that we receive a full reward”. – John tells his readers to take heed that the deceiving false teachers do not undo the work which the apostles and evangelists had done, so that they all might receive a full reward.
• Notice in verse 8 “that we lose not those things which we have wrought.” – probably these things refers to the pastoral and missionary efforts undertaken by the recipients of the letter in their own community and surrounding communities. This work would be lost if the opponents with their false teaching are allowed to proselytize unopposed.
→ John warned his readers that compromise with the false teachers could lead to some loss of reward. Moreover, loss for John’s reader would involve loss for John as well since he had a share in their lives.
→ False doctrine if allowed to intrude a church, it would stop the progress of the church or even destroy the church.
A. THEY LEAVE THE WORD OF CHRIST (v. 9)
2 John 9 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
• In John’s mind is that of a Christian who, the false teachers said, did not have the whole truth, but needed to be further taught by them. Many false teachers today claim that those who do not agree with their teaching are intellectual infants or uninstructed.
• In verse 9 the word “transgresseth” in Greek is “proago”. Ago means to go; Pro means before. “Proago” means to go before or to go ahead. Therefore, the definition here is not so much to transgress as to go farther than is right. As the NASB translates “Anyone who goes too far.” and as the ESV translation “Everyone who goes on ahead”
• Again in verse 9 John used the word “abideth” indicating of a vital personal relationship with God that comes with adherence to the truth, not just a dead doctrinal orthodoxy.
• In verse 9 “the doctrine of Christ” or “teaching of Christ” could mean possibly both the teaching that Christ gave or the teaching about Christ.
• Notice the word in verse 9 “hath not God.” – John meant that whoever does not remain within the parameters of this teaching does not have God which the equivalent of fellowship with God (1 John 2:23; 1 John 5:12). Abiding not in the true doctrine about Jesus Christ does not have God with him in his new perspective or lifestyle. He is out of touch with God. But John continues “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” is vitally in touch with God.
SUMMARY: False teachers with false teaching have fake ministries. They abandon the right doctrine therefore they are not God’s ministers and their ministries are not from God.
B. THEY LOSE THE WELCOME OF CHRISTIAN (v. 10–11)
2 John 10-11 ”If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
• The culture of John’s day, philosophers and teachers relied on the people whom they minister regarding their lodging and financial assistance (Acts 18:2-3; Acts 21:7).
→ John said “receive him not into your house” – that is John instructing his readers to refuse to help the false teachers in their lodging and financial needs.
→ John also said in verse 10, “neither bid him God speed” KJV; “and do not give him a greeting.” (NASB)– John also instructed his readers not to give verbal encouragement to these apostates (Acts 15:24; Acts 23:2-6; 1 Corinthians 10:20; 1 Timothy 5:22; James 1:21; 1 Peter 3:13) Of course John did not advocate the persecution of heretics here, but John strongly counseled his readers to give them no aid or encouragement in their destructive ministry.
• Notice in verse 11 “For he biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (KJV); “for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.” (NASB); “for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.” (ESV)
– In Jewish eyes a greeting is something more than a mere formality. The greeting of peace is equivalent to a blessing (Matthew 10:13; Luke 10:6). The word greeting in Greek “chairein” is by comparison colorless. That is the reason why John feels obligated to give his Greek readers a reason for the prohibition.
→ We don’t withhold hospitality from anyone but John’s prohibition applied only to antichristian who were committed to pervert the truth and destroy the faith of the community.
• We believe that John approved his reader’s efforts to correct the false teachers privately to lead them into a true appreciation of the person and redemptive work of Christ (Acts 18:26). We must carefully deals with these false teachers in relating to their ministry in one way and to themselves personally in another way. We must not and never in any way approve or encourage their ministry but we should show concern for their eternal salvation of soul in Christ.
SUMMARY: False teachers abandon the right doctrine of Christ that is why Christian should never be part of their ministries neither encourage, greet and welcome them. Never support their ministries by our presence and finances. Their ministries are not of God but they are servants of the devil that pervert the gospel of Christ.
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