The line of thought begun in ch. 4:22 continues without interruption. Paul appeals to the Galatians to remain loyal to the gospel as he originally proclaimed it to them (ch. 1:6-9), and not to be influenced in the least degree by the false gospel of the Judaizers. This admonition is of supreme importance today, in the face of innumerable unscriptural theories about salvation and righteousness by faith (cf. Eph. 4:14).
If one is to “stand fast” he must have firm ground upon which to stand. For the Christian, this ground is truth as set forth in Holy Writ. The diligent Christian will persevere in his examination of the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 5T 708), and then examine himself to discover whether he stands fast in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Irrespective of how much a man may know about Scripture and its interpretation he must ever continue his search for more truth. It is God’s purpose that the Christian shall continually “grow in grace, and in the knowledge” of Christ (2 Peter 3:18), realizing that “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Prov. 4:18).
Be not entangled.
Or, “do not be ensnared.” The Galatians had come out of bondage to idols when they received Paul’s gospel. Acceptance of the principles of Judaism would be a return to a similar state of bondage (see on ch. 4:3, 9). This virtually meant renouncing Christ altogether. To deny or abandon truth is to become vulnerable to error and sin. Failure to do what we know to be right is sin (see James 4:17).