Galatians 3:1

ἐβάσκανεν. This word denoted either the fascination of an evil eye or some malignant influence akin to it; the infatuation of some Galatians at this crisis is attributed to the baneful effect of some mysterious powers of evil.

The reading ἐβάσκηνεν has probably found its way into some MSS. from classical usage; most verbs in - αίνειν form the aorist in ᾱ in the N.T., e.g., λευκᾶναι ἐσημανεν ποιμάνατε.

The additions τῇ ἀληθείᾳ μὴ πείθεσθαι after ἐβάσκανεν, and ἐν ὑμῖν after προεγράφη in the Received Text are evidently spurious. The former is probably due to a reminiscence of Galatians 5:7, where the clause occurs. προεγράφη. This word is twice employed by the Apostle, once in Romans 15:4 with reference to the Scriptures, once in Ephesians 3:3 with reference to a former letter of his own. Here, probably, it refers in like manner to some document which he had placed in the hands of the Galatians, or some letter he had written for their guidance during his absence, in which the vital truth of the crucifixion had been enforced. That he wrote many apostolic letters to his converts is clear from 2 Thessalonians 3:17. The addition κατʼ ὀφθάλμους is in harmony with this view. γράφειν never has the sense of painting in the N.T. ἐσταυρωμένος. The Greek order of words indicates that this participle has the force of a predicate. The fact of the Crucifixion with all that the fact involved was the truth which had been so distinctly set before the eyes of the Galatians in black and white.