Galatians 1 — No Other Gospel
Introduction: Paul traveled through the province of Galatia and established churches, but the exact geographic boundaries of that ancient central Asia Minor region are not clear in scripture. Later Paul wrote a general letter to the Galatian churches to address what he had heard about them drifting from the basic teaching of the gospel that he had presented to them in person. The first century church struggled greatly over the principal that Christ broke down the “middle wall of partition” between Jews and Gentiles so all could become one in Christ with no other conversion requirements (Ephesians 3:1–7).
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the Revised Webster Bible.
A — Some General Passages about Galatia
Acts 16:6 records that Paul and his companions went throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia on the second missionary journey, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. They were then called by a vision to go into Macedonia instead. Acts 18:23 records that after spending some time at Antioch, Paul “went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.” And in 1 Corinthians 16:1 Paul referenced the churches of Galatia when giving instructions about the collection for the saints.
Comments: Acts chapter 16 begins the details of Paul’s second missionary journey with no clearly identified churches that were started in Galatia as they traveled through that province. After being deterred from continuing into Asia they were called of the Lord to go into Macedonia for the first time. Churches were established at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. After a brief time in Athens, Paul spent a year and six months in Corinth, then sailed to Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. After visiting Caesarea and Antioch, “he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.”
B — The Salutation of Paul to the Galatians
Galatians 1 “1 Paul, an apostle, (not from men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Comments: Paul identifies himself not just by name, but immediately emphasizes that he is an apostle because of a direct call by the Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised Christ from the dead — his apostleship was not appointed to him from other men. Paul similarly opens Romans, both letters to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Colossians, both letters to Timothy, and his letter to Titus, declaring that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will or commandment of God. Paul included greeting from others in his company, and addressed his letter to multiple churches of Galatia. He reminded them that Christ gave himself for the sins of the believer, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
C — Paul Said the Galatians Were Starting to Follow Another Gospel
Galatians 1 “6 I marvel that ye are so soon turning from him that called you into the grace of Christ to another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so I say now again, If any man preacheth any other gospel to you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Comments: Paul immediately draws the attention of the Galatians to the seriousness of what he has heard about the churches there. They must not listen to others who change the simple gospel of grace in Christ that Paul had taught. He made a very strong statement, and underscored it by writing it twice: that anyone, even an angel, who preaches a gospel different from that which Paul had preached should be accursed! This is certainly not a mild statement, and gives testimony to the extreme importance Paul has applied to the need of rejection of the errant teaching of those in their midst who troubled them and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
D — The Gospel Is from God Not from Men
Galatians 1 “10 For do I now seek the favour of men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my former manner of life in time past in the Jews’ religion, that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither did I go to Jerusalem to them who were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.”
Comments: Paul tells the Galatians that he has not offered his teaching in an effort to please men or find favor with them — if his motivation had been to please men, then he would not have been serving Christ. The gospel that he preached came to him by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Paul reminded the Galatians of his reputation in the religion of the Jews before his conversion: “beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.” He had made great progress in the Jews’ religion, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of his fathers. But the Lord’s plans for Saul were so far ahead of Saul’s plans for himself that they were already ordained before Paul had even begun to learn anything as an infant. When it pleased God, he revealed his Son in Paul that he might preach the Lord among the Gentiles. Paul then asserted that he did not confer with men of flesh and blood, nor did he go to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before him; but he went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
E — Paul’s Visit with Peter and James in Jerusalem
Galatians 1 “18 Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw no other of the apostles, except James the Lord’s brother. 20 Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face to the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he who persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.”
Comments: The record in Acts has no mention of Paul going into Arabia when he was at Damascus, and it does not provide the time span that Paul spent at Damascus that we find from Galatians. Acts 9:17–22 records how immediately after his conversion Paul preached Christ in the synagogues, proving that Jesus is very Christ — to the amazement of all who heard. When Paul wrote to the Galatians of going to Jerusalem and staying with Peter for fifteen days, he stated the only other apostle he saw there was James, the brother of the Lord. Paul then asserted a vow before God in this letter that there was no lie in what he has been writing. Those churches in Judaea had heard only that this man who had persecuted Christians to destroy the faith in times past had become one who preached Christ — and they glorified God in him.
Reflections in Prayer
Thank you Lord that I can personally experience the grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who has given himself for my sins to deliver me from this present evil world according to the will of God. All glory is due to you my Savior forever, and to none else. I am thankful beyond description for my salvation in Christ by grace through faith that you have given to me as you opened my heart and mind to the truth of the gospel. Since this letter is scripture by the apostle Paul, it now provides trustworthy guidance to strengthen my faith in the pure gospel message as it did originally for the Galatians. The dramatic conversion that Christ made in Paul’s life from one who persecuted Christians even to the point of death, to one who was determined to spread the gospel to others no matter what the personal cost might be to himself, provides inspiration through the writing of much scripture for the church of Jesus Christ. I praise you Lord Jesus for the way you continue to work by your Spirit in me and in other Christians throughout the world. Hallelujah, amen.
Published 24 October 2012