THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE GALATIANS - Chapter 5 - Verse 7

Verse 7. Ye did run well. The Christian life is often represented as a race. See Barnes "1 Co 9:24"; also 1 Co 9:25-26. Paul means here that they began the Christian life with ardour and zeal. Comp. Ga 4:1.

Who did hinder you. Marg., drive you back. The word used here anakoptw means, properly, to beat or drive back. Hence it means to hinder, check, or retard. Dr. Doddridge remarks that this is "an Olympic expression, and properly signifies coming across the course while a person is running in it, in such a manner as to jostle, and throw him out of the way." Paul asks, with emphasis, who it could have been that retarded them in their Christian course, implying that it could have been done only by their own consent, or that there was really no cause why they should not have continued as they began.

That ye should not obey the truth? The true system of justification by faith in the Redeemer. That you should have turned aside, and embraced the dangerous errors in regard to the necessity of obeying the laws of Moses.

{1} "hinder" "drive you back"