Let’s begin by reading Galatians 2:3-5 (NIV), “Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.” In these verses, Paul highlights three important characteristics about these intruders: They are false brothers They infiltrate secretly Their goal is to spy on and undermine Christian freedom 1. False Brothers In Scripture, believers are often called “brothers” or “brethren,” indicating genuine family unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 16:20; Galatians 1:2). However, Paul warns about the existence of false brothers—people who may outwardly appear as believers but whose hearts are not truly surrendered to Christ. These false brothers enter the church not to serve Christ but to pursue selfish ambitions—whether financial gain, power, or other personal agendas. Some may even be outright agents of Satan, working to sabotage and destroy the body of Christ from within (Philippians 3:17-19): Philippians 3:17-19 (ESV):“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Such false brothers have infiltrated all levels of church leadership and membership—pastors, apostles, prophets, worship leaders, and ordinary believers. 2. Secret Infiltration These false brothers do not always appear openly hostile. Instead, they infiltrate the church secretly and subtly, disguising themselves as genuine believers to gain trust and influence (2 Corinthians 11:13-15): 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV):“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ”. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” This deception makes it difficult for the church to immediately recognize them. They blend in, but their hidden agenda is to undermine the truth of the gospel and to impose legalistic burdens on believers. 3. Spying on Christian Freedom The core issue these false brothers target is the freedom believers have in Christ. This freedom means believers are no longer under the bondage of Old Testament ceremonial laws, such as circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, dietary restrictions, or religious festivals (Colossians 2:16-23): Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV):“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Paul emphasizes that this freedom is not a license to sin but a release from the legalistic demands that cannot truly save or sanctify (Colossians 2:20-23). Such legalism focuses on external observance rather than the inward transformation by the Spirit of God. Theological Reflection The Christian freedom Paul defends is grounded in the gospel of grace. This freedom liberates believers from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13) and invites them into a new covenant relationship where the Spirit of God writes the law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3). False brothers who spy on this freedom seek to reimpose the old yoke of slavery, thus nullifying the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross. This threatens the very essence of the gospel and the believer’s identity in Christ. Therefore, the church must be vigilant, testing every teaching and tradition against the clear message of Scripture and the liberty Christ has won (1 John 4:1; Galatians 5:1). Summary False brothers are infiltrators who enter the church under false pretenses. They act secretly to spy on and undermine Christian freedom. Their goal is to enslave believers again under the law, opposing the true gospel. Christians are called to stand firm in the freedom Christ provides and reject legalistic burdens. Shalom.
Answer: Let us read the passage carefully: Isaiah 66:3 (ESV) says:“He who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; he who presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; he who makes a memorial offering of frankincense is like one who blesses an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.” At first glance, one might mistakenly conclude that this verse forbids slaughtering animals or eating meat. However, this is a misunderstanding of the passage. If that were the case, then offering grain offerings (which the text also condemns) would be forbidden too—but we know from elsewhere in Scripture that offerings are acceptable to God (Romans 12:1, ESV). So, what is really happening here? Understanding Isaiah 66:3 in Context God is addressing people who bring large, showy sacrifices to Him, thinking that quantity and grandeur will please Him, while their hearts remain distant and rebellious. This is not about the act of sacrifice itself but about the condition of the worshiper’s heart. In fact, God reminds us in the very next verses: Isaiah 66:1-2 (ESV):“Thus says the LORD: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” God is not impressed by elaborate rituals or grand offerings if they come from proud or unrepentant hearts. Rather, He values humility, brokenness, and reverence for His Word. The Deeper Meaning of Sacrifices When a wicked person brings a sacrifice, it is not truly a pleasing offering but more like a curse on themselves. Their sacrifice is likened to heinous acts—killing a man or breaking the neck of a dog—to show how detestable it is in God’s eyes. Proverbs 15:8 (ESV) confirms this principle: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.” This means God desires obedience and a right heart above ritual sacrifices: 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV) says:“To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” Practical Applications Do not offer God anything obtained by dishonest or sinful means—such as money earned through corruption, theft, or immoral activities like drug dealing, drunkenness, or prostitution. Deuteronomy 23:18 (ESV) states clearly:“You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God in payment for any vow, for both are an abomination to the LORD your God.” Moreover, if there is conflict or unresolved sin between you and others, reconcile first before bringing offerings to God: Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV) says:“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” What About Eating Meat? The Bible does not forbid eating meat. In fact, dietary laws in the Old Testament allowed for the consumption of various clean animals, and the New Testament teaches Christian liberty in such matters (Romans 14:2-3, ESV). The key takeaway from Isaiah 66:3 is not about food or eating habits but the attitude behind worship and offerings. God desires true worship from sincere hearts, not empty rituals or hypocrisy. Summary Isaiah 66:3 condemns hypocritical and prideful sacrifices, not the act of eating meat. God values a humble and repentant heart over any external ritual. Obedience to God’s Word and sincere worship are more pleasing than sacrifices or offerings given without faith and love. We are called to live with integrity, offering God what is rightfully ours, with hearts aligned to Him. May the Lord help us to worship Him in spirit and truth.
Question: In Genesis 3:20 and Genesis 4:1, Adam’s wife is called Hawa. However, I have often heard that Adam’s wife is also called Eve. Are the names Eve and Hawa the same? Answer: Yes, Eve and Hawa refer to the same person, but the names come from two different languages—just as “Jesus” and “Yesu” are the same name rendered in English and Swahili, respectively. Likewise, “Eve” is the English form of the name, while “Hawa” is its Swahili equivalent. So why do the translations appear different, from Eve to Hawa, and not just translated as “Eva” in Swahili? Why is it not a direct phonetic translation but instead a different name? The reason lies in how Swahili adapts certain letters in names and words. Often, the letter “V” in English names is rendered as “W” in Swahili. For example, the name “Levi” becomes “Lawi,” and “Nineveh,” the ancient city, is “Ninawi” in Swahili. Therefore, even “Eva” must be adapted to “Hawa” in Swahili, following this pattern of letter substitution. This is similar to how names starting with “J” in English often start with “Y” in Swahili:Jesus → YesuJonah → YonaJoshua → YoshuaJezebel → Yezebeli In the same way, names containing the letter “V” transform into “W” when translated into Swahili. In conclusion, whether you say Hawa or Eve, both names correctly refer to the same person—Adam’s wife, the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20, ESV). Theological reflection:Eve (Hawa) holds a foundational place in the biblical narrative as the first woman, created by God as a suitable helper for Adam (Genesis 2:18, ESV). Her name, meaning “life” or “living,” reflects her role as the mother of all humanity (Genesis 3:20). The subtle differences in her name’s pronunciation and spelling across languages remind us of the richness and diversity of God’s Word as it reaches all nations and tongues. Moreover, Eve’s story is not just about origins but also about grace and redemption. Though she and Adam fell into sin, God’s promise of redemption (Genesis 3:15) sets the stage for Christ’s victory over sin and death, connecting the very beginning of humanity’s story to its ultimate restoration through Jesus Christ. Have you accepted Jesus? Have you been baptized? Have you received the Holy Spirit? If not, why wait? These are the last days, and Christ stands at the door ready to return. Maranatha! (The Lord is coming!)