Luther on Galatians 1: Anabaptistic Cowardice

"Paul had preached the Gospel throughout Galatia, founding many churches which after his departure were invaded by the false apostles. The Anabaptists in our time imitate the false apostles. They do not go where the enemies of the Gospel predominate. They go where the Christians are. Why do they not invade the Catholic provinces and preach their doctrine to godless princes, bishops, and doctors, as we have done by the help of God? These soft martyrs take no chances. They go where the Gospel has a hold, so that they may not endanger their lives. The false apostles would not go to Jerusalem of Caiaphas, or to the Rome of the Emperor, or to any other place where no man had preached before as Paul and the other apostles did. But they came to the churches of Galatia, knowing that where men profess the name of Christ they may feel secure."

Luther yields his two-edged sword now, taking swipes to right on the Pope, and to the left on the Anabaptists. At times it is difficult to distinguish which camp he despises more. And his critique is not unjustified, he is not guilty of the very thing he is preaching against. He speaks with authority against the Anabaptists because he's been to the enemy. He has held high the Gospel in the face of death.

The practical applications of this critique are great. To narrow it down into our own congregations may be the simple exhortation to stop devouring one another. There are those who by rages of jealousy, envy, and pride, who by doing the opposite of considering others better than themselves, seek to make the church's life a self contained, complete and steamy soap opera. The back-biting, the gossip, the accusations, and all the other anti-Gospel activities are those owned by the self centered cowardly, who couldn't last a second if they were to take their gospel to the real enemies. The real enemies know their game better than they. It is easier to prey upon the innocent.