A.T. Robertson Commentary Galatians 3

Who did bewitch you? (τις υμας εβασκανεν?). Somebody "fascinated" you. Some aggressive Judaizer (5:7), some one man (or woman). First aorist active indicative of βασκαινω, old word kin to φασκω (βασκω), to speak, then to bring evil on one by feigned praise or the evil eye (hoodoo), to lead astray by evil arts. Only here in the N.T. This popular belief in the evil eye is old (Deuteronomy 28:54) and persistent. The papyri give several examples of the adjective αβασκαντα, the adverb αβασκαντως (unharmed by the evil eye), the substantive βασκανια (witchcraft).

Before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified (οις κατ' οφθαλμους Ιησους Χριστος προεγραφη εσταυρωμενος). Literally, "to whom before your very eyes Jesus Christ was portrayed as crucified." Second aorist passive indicative of προγραφω, old verb to write beforehand, to set forth by public proclamation, to placard, to post up. This last idea is found in several papyri (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary) as in the case of a father who posted a proclamation that he would no longer be responsible for his son's debts. Γραφω was sometimes used in the sense of painting, but no example of προγραφω with this meaning has been found unless this is one. With that idea it would be to portray, to picture forth, a rendering not very different from placarding. The foolish Galatians were without excuse when they fell under the spell of the Judaizer. Εσταυρωμενος is perfect passive participle of σταυροω, the common verb to crucify (from σταυρος, stake, cross), to put on the cross (Matthew 20:19), same form as in 1 Corinthians 2:2.

This only (τουτο μονον). Paul strikes at the heart of the problem. He will show their error by the point that the gifts of the Spirit came by the hearing of faith, not by works of the law.

Are ye now perfected in the flesh? (νυν σαρκ επιτελεισθε?). Rather middle voice as in 1 Peter 5:9, finishing of yourselves. There is a double contrast, between εναρξαμενο (having begun) and επιτελεισθε (finishing) as in 2 Corinthians 8:6; Php 1:6, and also between "Spirit" (πνευματ) and flesh (σαρκ). There is keen irony in this thrust.

Did ye suffer? (επαθετε?). Second aorist active indicative of πασχω, to experience good or ill. But alone, as here, it often means to suffer ill (τοσαυτα, so many things). In North Galatia we have no record of persecutions, but we do have records for South Galatia (Acts 14:2,5,19,22).

If it be indeed in vain (ε γε κα εικη). On εικη see 1 Corinthians 15:2; Galatians 4:11. Paul clings to hope about them with alternative fears.

Supplieth (επιχορηγων). It is God. See on 2 Corinthians 9:10 for this present active participle. Cf. Php 1:19; 2 Peter 1:5.

Worketh miracles (ενεργων δυναμεις). On the word ενεργεω see 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 12:6. It is a great word for God's activities . "In you" (Lightfoot) is preferable to "among you" for εν υμιν (1 Corinthians 13:10; Matthew 14:2). The principal verb for "doeth he it" (ποιε) is not expressed. Paul repeats the contrast in verse 2 about "works of the law" and "the hearing of faith."