Galatians Chapter 1 — Defending the True Gospel
Paul defends his authority as an apostle and warns the Galatian churches against following a distorted version of the Gospel.
1Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ,*“Christ” means “Anointed One”. and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
2and all the brothers†The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
3Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—
5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”,
7but there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
9As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.
10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
11But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
12For I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it.
14I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace,
16to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
19But of the other apostles I saw no one except James, the Lord’s brother.
20Now about the things which I write to you, behold,‡“Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. before God, I’m not lying.
21Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,
23but they only heard, “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”
24So they glorified God in me.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Galatians 1:8
“But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.”
This verse underscores the absolute nature of the Gospel and Paul's firm stance against doctrinal perversion.
Galatians 1:11-12
“But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. For I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Paul explicitly states that his message originated from a divine source rather than human instruction.
Chapter Summary
In Galatians 1, Paul addresses the churches in Galatia, asserting that his apostleship is not of human origin but through Jesus Christ and God the Father. He expresses deep concern that the Galatians are quickly turning away from the Gospel of grace to a 'different' gospel, which he declares is actually a perversion of the truth. Paul uses strong language, stating that anyone—even an angel—who preaches a message contrary to the one he delivered should be accursed. He emphasizes that he does not seek human approval but serves as a servant of Christ. To validate his message, Paul recounts his personal history, including his former zeal for Jewish traditions and his persecution of the church. He explains that his conversion and the Gospel he preaches came through direct revelation from Jesus Christ. Following his calling, he did not immediately consult with the other apostles but spent time in Arabia and Damascus, eventually visiting Peter and James in Jerusalem three years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul was astonished that the Galatians were so quickly deserting the grace of Christ for a 'different' gospel that perverted the original message he had preached to them.
According to the text, Paul did not receive his message from any human teacher or tradition but through a direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
Paul went to Jerusalem to visit Peter, staying with him for fifteen days, and he also saw James, the Lord's brother.
Study Note
The mention of 'Arabia' in verse 17 refers to the Nabataean Kingdom, indicating a period of solitude or independent ministry following Paul's conversion.
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