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Galatians 1

Galatians 1 emphasizes Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority and the true gospel, which he received directly from Jesus Christ through divine revelation, not from human teachings or traditions. Paul expresses deep concern and astonishment that the Galatians are turning away so quickly to a distorted message, particularly the belief that righteousness can be earned through works of the law, such as circumcision and ceremonial observances. He makes it clear that there is no other true gospel—salvation comes solely by grace through faith in Christ. Any attempt to add human effort or law-keeping to the gospel undermines Christ’s sacrifice and turns it into a false gospel. Paul warns that anyone, even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different message is under God’s curse. He concludes by reaffirming that his calling is not to seek human approval but to faithfully serve God by proclaiming the pure gospel of Christ, even if it means facing opposition. This sets the tone for the rest of the letter, where Paul defends the freedom found in Christ and warns against returning to spiritual bondage through legalism.

Galatians 1:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through 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 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.

Paul affirms his apostleship as coming directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, not from human authority, emphasizing the divine origin of his calling. He greets the churches with grace and peace, explicitly mentioning that this greeting comes from both the Father and the Son. Notably, there is no mention of the Holy Spirit as a third separate person, which suggests that the Holy Spirit is not presented as a distinct being but rather as the personal presence and power of God and Christ at work in believers. Paul then highlights the core of the gospel—Christ's willing sacrifice to deliver humanity from sin, according to the will of God the Father—emphasizing God's immense love and redemptive purpose, to whom all glory belongs.

Galatians 1:6-10 (NKJV)
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul expresses astonishment that the Galatians are so quickly turning away from the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The true gospel proclaims that Christ’s sacrifice is fully sufficient to provide salvation, but it must be embraced by faith—a complete trust and surrender to Him. Any message that adds to or distorts this—such as requiring human works or law-keeping for justification—is a false gospel that leads people away from God’s grace. Paul strongly warns that anyone, even an angel, who preaches a different gospel is accursed. He emphasizes that his mission is to serve and please God, not to seek human approval, because true loyalty to the gospel of Christ requires unwavering faithfulness, no matter the cost.

Galatians 1:11-12 (NKJV)
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.

Paul asserts the divine origin of his gospel, explaining that it was not taught by any man but received through a revelation from Jesus Christ. This assertion is intended to bolster the credibility and supernatural foundation of his message, distinguishing it from teachings derived from human traditions or interpretations.

Galatians 1:13-17 (NKJV)
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.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,
16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
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.

Paul recounts his past as a zealous adherent of Judaism, how he persecuted the Christian church, and his advanced status among his peers in adherence to Jewish tradition. He then describes his dramatic transformation, chosen by God from birth and called by grace to receive a revelation of Christ, purposed to preach among the Gentiles. Paul emphasizes that his message and mission were divinely appointed without consultation with other apostles or reliance on established human authorities, highlighting his independence as an apostle.

Galatians 1:18-24 (NKJV)
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 had heard only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy."
24 And they glorified God in me.

Paul continues describing the early days of his ministry, noting his visit to Jerusalem three years after his conversion to meet Peter. He stresses that he met only Peter and James, the Lord's brother, during this visit, asserting his honesty before God regarding these events. After Jerusalem, he worked in Syria and Cilicia, where he was not personally known to the Judean churches. Despite this, they praised God because of the transformation in Paul, who had turned from persecutor to preacher of the faith he once tried to destroy. This testimony about Paul's past and his change of heart serves to further establish his apostolic authority and the divine endorsement of his mission.

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