“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:”
This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves to the law. — the 'false brothers' ('pseudadelphoi') represent the Judaizing pressure within the Jerusalem community itself; their aim is to enslave ('katadoulōsai') Gentile believers by imposing Torah observance, directly opposing Christian eleutheria (freedom).
Church Fathers on Galatians 2:4
“And that because of the false brethren, privily brought in.” Here arises a very important question, Who were these false brethren? If the Apostles permitted circumcision at Jerusalem, why are those who enjoined it, in accordance with the Apostolic sentence, to be called false brethren? First; because there is a difference between commanding an act to be done, and allowing it after it is done. He who enjoins an act, does it with zeal as necessary, and of primary importance;…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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