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Θαυμάζω ὅτι

οὕτως ταχέως μετατίθεσθε (ἀπὸ τοῦ καλέσαντος ὑμᾶς) (ἐν χάριτι [Χριστοῦ])

(εἰς ἕτερον εὐαγγέλιον),

Paul ends his greeting abruptly by targeting the heart of the issue that has given rise to this epistle: his readers are turning to another gospel. Quite frankly, Paul is astonished (Θαυμάζω) at how quickly this false-direction has taken root. Paul does not restrain his disapproval, and this move at so early a stage will set the tone for most of the epistle.

It is hard to imagine that turning to another gospel would be acceptable under any circumstances, and so Paul’s use of quickly (ταχέως) does not suggest that a slower migration to a different gospel would have been less problematic. Rather, the adverb adds insult to injury: not only are the Galatians turning away, they are doing so remarkably quickly. The key verb here is turning away (μετατίθεσθε), which refers to a change of mind in allegiance, or desertion (BDAG). The present indicative expresses imperfective aspect, and here depicts an activity in progress; it is a ‘progressive present’.[1]

The rest of the verse is concerned with what the Galatians are turning from and what they are turning to: they are turning from the One who called them; they are turning to another gospel. The first thing to notice here is the fact that Paul does not juxtapose an original gospel with another gospel; rather he juxtaposes a person with another gospel. To turn to another gospel denotes turning away from the One who called them (τοῦ καλέσαντος ὑμᾶς). The aorist participle is substantival, referring to a person, but also implies a past activity due to its perfective aspect.

The concept of calling occurs three more times in the epistle: once with reference to Paul’s own calling (1.15); twice with reference to the Galatians (5.8, 13). While the subject of such calling is left unstated in all but 1.15—which has God as the one who calls—it seems most likely that he is to be understood as the one calling. This is particularly fitting here in 1.6, since the next phrase indicates the instrumentality of the grace of Christ (ἐν χάριτι [Χριστοῦ]), and, as we have seen in 1.3-5, this instrumentality of the Son works in partnership with the agency of the Father. Thus, it is best to take the One calling you as expressing the agency of the Father, while by the grace of Christ as the instrumentality of the Son. While it is God the Father who calls people to himself, this occurs through the grace extended by the Son. It may be better to say, then, that another gospel is juxtaposed with two persons rather than one.

Paul will announce in the next verse that another gospel is no gospel at all, but for now it is important to note the significance of the contrast achieved here between this ‘false’ gospel and the Father and Son. To turn to another gospel is not simply an issue of incorrect doctrine; it leads away from God himself. And to further underscore the significance of this, Paul has subtly referred to the work of the Father in calling them in the first place, as well as the character of their salvation, which is by grace. This may be intended to contrast the false gospel; elsewhere Paul contrasts grace with being justified by the law: You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace! (5.4; cf. 2.21).

Posted by Con Campbell