Galatians 1
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Galatians 1:1:
Paul, an apostle (not from men nore by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the father who raised Him from the dead) |
“A messenger,” literally “an apostle.” The Greek word is Apostolos and comes from apo meaning “from” and stello meaning “to send.” This refers to the act of sending someone as a delegate to represent the sender. It is translated in the King James Version as apostle, messenger or he that is sent
Paul was certain God had spoken to him. This gave him a confidence that to some may have seemed to verge on arrogance. When we are confident of Gods call for us, we often stand in kind of a carefree abandon that challenges the powers of the world. |
Galatians 1:2-5:
2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen
2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen
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Galatians 1:6:
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel." |
Some judgemental denominational members are quick to say that other denominations are preaching “another Gospel”. But Jesus Christ IS the Gospel!
If someone else professes Christ as Lord of their life you should lift them up in brotherly love REGARDLESS of their “denomination”. As a Christian you should consider anyone who belongs to Jesus Christ your brothers and sisters. The Bible tells us to rebuke those who fall from the truth. And yes, it even tells us not to fellowship with anyone who preaches another Gospel, but those who profess Christ are NOT preaching “another Gospel”!!! Muslims are preaching “another Gospel”. Krishnas are preaching “another Gospel”. Buddhists are preaching “another Gospel”. Astrologers, pagans, and wiccans, are preaching “another Gospel”. The Jews who are still waiting for the Messiah are preaching “another Gospel”. Those who say they can be Christians without repenting and turning from their sin are preaching “another Gospel”. People who look to Mary rather than Jesus for salvation are preaching “another Gospel”. But anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of their life IS NOT preaching “another Gospel”. Others may not understand the Bible as well as you do, or they may have been taught false doctrines, but are our small differences that seem to divide us greater than our Almighty Lord Who calls us to be one in Him? How long will we continue to allow Satan to divide the body of Christ with issues like denominations, Bible versions, and the pronounciation of divine names? Are our small differences greater than our Great Uniter? Don’t we all serve Jesus Christ?……. |
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Galatians 1:7-10:
—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ |
Paul is a lover of people. The Jews have a special place in his heart. The Gentiles have a special place on his calendar and travel itinerary. He spends himself seeking to improve all with whom he comes into contact. He shows respect to those in authority. He shows deference to cultures and traditions. Paul is not unnecessarily rude. He is a gentlemanly evangelist. But in this letter of love to his Galatian friends, Paul is forced to kick it up a notch. As an apostolic prophet, he is called by God to safeguard the Gospel, and sometimes this requires him to offend both friend and foe. So on this issue, Paul has debated orthodox Pharisees, ecumenical Judaizers, and dear friends such as Barnabas and Peter. And he is not through; for according to this text, he even stands ready to contradict a heavenly angel who comes preaching a different Gospel. And why does Paul stand so solidly? Why does Paul stand tall when even Peter and Barnabas compromise and sin?
Paul is not a people pleaser! Paul is not “seeking the approval of man.” To the contrary, Paul is “seeking the approval of God.” Paul is a “servant of Christ.” Are we “people pleasers” or “servants of Christ”? I suppose at times we can be both, but when push comes to shove, will we forgo pleasing people in order to best serve Christ? Are we committed to think rightly, talk rightly, and do that which is right, regardless of whether or not it pleases us or those around us? Peer pressure is not merely an adolescent temptation. Everyone struggles in this regard. So, how do we apply this thought? Perhaps our governmental representatives could take this to heart. We elect these individuals to think rightly, speak rightly, write rightly, and pursue righteousness. And we expect them to do so regardless of popular opinions. Please, please Christ! We beg you to be leaders and not double-minded poll-takers. As ministers, we should contemplate this truth. Those of us who occupy pulpits should forget the thought of pleasing people and focus only on serving Christ. Yes, this is incredibly difficult, for we are largely kind people. We don’t stay in our profession long when we are curt, harsh, and lacking grace. But we must think less about what our professors, peers, parishioners and guests think of us. We must have single-minded vision as did Stephen when he preached. May our eyes see Jesus only, and may we be very willing to forgo people pleasing in order to please our Master. The same could be said of elders and biblical counselors. May we have the backbone to look people in the eye and risk friendships by being true friends who charitably speak forth the truth. Parents, will we err by preferring what we want, or preferring what our children want, over pursuing that which God desires? Business person, who is the focus of your attention? Will you prefer employer, employee, customer, stock holder, or self over the Sovereign God? Teenager, will you say “yes” to your peer group, or “yes” to the boy telling you he loves you, all while saying “no” to Christ? This ought not to be so with those who call themselves followers of Christ. May we be willing to say “no” to self. May we be willing to forgo popularity. May we even be willing to leave father and mother while clinging to our Savior. Paul was one who made it his aim to be a workman, rightly approved of God. Let us follow his model and his teaching. Let us cease being individuals who focus on pleasing ourselves — whether the harsh or happy variety. Instead, let us be people who please the Christ who calls us his own. --Joseph A Franks IV |
Albert Mohler (President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) writes: “In our own context, one of the most seductive false gospels is moralism. This false gospel can take many forms and can emerge from any number of political and cultural impulses. Nevertheless, the basic structure of moralism comes down to this — the belief that the Gospel can be reduced to improvements in behavior.
The seduction of moralism is the essence of its power. We are so easily seduced into believing that we actually can gain all the approval we need by our behavior. Of course, in order to participate in this seduction, we must negotiate a moral code that defines acceptable behavior with innumerable loopholes. Most moralists would not claim to be without sin, but merely beyond scandal. That is considered sufficient.”
The seduction of moralism is the essence of its power. We are so easily seduced into believing that we actually can gain all the approval we need by our behavior. Of course, in order to participate in this seduction, we must negotiate a moral code that defines acceptable behavior with innumerable loopholes. Most moralists would not claim to be without sin, but merely beyond scandal. That is considered sufficient.”
Galatians 1:11-14:
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, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
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, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
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Galatians 1:15-16:
But when it pleased God...to reveal His Son to me." |
The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and I serve Him in the ordinary ways of life out of devotion to Him
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Galatians 1:17-24:
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.”
24 And they glorified God in me.
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.”
24 And they glorified God in me.