Because “context matters,” I hope you asked yourself as you studied this month’s text: “Who are these people Paul is writing to?” And perhaps more importantly: “Why? What’s going on here?”
Paul lays it on pretty thick for the Galatian churches and it’s not difficult to see the urgency and angst behind his words—this is a corrective missive, an attempt to keep these churches from going over the edge, falling prey to the “Judaizers,” who are insisting on all-things-circumcision in bringing Gentile believers under the law, which doesn’t do the trick, as Paul has repeatedly pointed out. “I am astonished …” “You foolish Galatians …”
Paul acknowledges his “tone” and being perplexed. He wants to knock some sense into them, to help them to see the proper way forward.
In contrast, Paul’s opening words to his audience in Colossae are starkly positive. Thanking God for them (that’s missing from his greeting to the Galatian churches) … he has heard about their faith, their love … hope and growth and all things in line with the gospel and rosy (so far). Their belief isn’t even the fruit of Paul’s own efforts—it was Epaphras who brought the gospel to them. Their reputation has reached Paul and he writes to commend them, to rejoice over them and the life-change their faith has brought about. It’s a celebration. Praise.
A totally different tone.
What might Paul say if he were writing to you, or to your faith community?
Would he be scolding you for allowing yourself to be distracted or side-tracked by a distorted version of the truth? Or would he be delighted to hear and see the fruit of gospel-transformed lives whose faith and love has gained a reputation of its own? Foolish or faithful? Lost or loving?
Think about the tone he might take … and allow his words to either correct or commend you as needed.