Galatians 1:1-10
Galatians 1:1-10
Session One
God’s Paramount Position
Paul specifies that he is sent by God, not people. He teaches that seeking the approval of God instead of people is paramount.
Galatians 1:1-10
New International Version
1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ a nd God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Who is Paul?
Verse 1:: This apostle was not sent from men or by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead.
Who is all the brothers and sisters with him?
Verse 2:: This person, along with all the brothers and sisters with him, wrote to the churches in Galatia.
What is grace and peace?
Verse 3:: May this be granted to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
To whom is God the Father?
Verse 5:: To whom be glory forever and ever.
Who is the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ?
Verse 6:: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different one.
Who are some who are troubling you?
Verse 7:: There are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
Who should be under God's
curse if they preach a different gospel?
Verse 8:: Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!
Who should be under God's curse
if they preach a different gospel?
Verse 9:: As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!
Who is a servant of Christ?
Verse 10:: Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Bibliography
Summary Outline and Commentary: Galatians 1:1-10
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**Outline:**
1. **Opening Greeting (Galatians 1:1-5)**
- **1:1-2:** Paul introduces himself as an apostle, not appointed by human authority, but directly by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Christ from the dead. This emphasizes the divine source of his apostleship.
- **1:3-5:** Paul greets the Galatians with a typical Christian blessing of grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ. He reminds them that Jesus gave Himself for their sins to deliver them from this evil age, according to God's will, ending with praise to God.
2. **Paul's Concern About the Galatians (Galatians 1:6-10)**
- **1:6:** Paul expresses astonishment that the Galatians are so quickly deserting the true gospel and turning to a "different gospel."
- **1:7:** Paul clarifies that there is no other gospel, but some people are distorting the gospel of Christ.
- **1:8-9:** Paul strongly condemns anyone, even an angel, who would preach a gospel contrary to the one he preached, repeating the warning for emphasis.
- **1:10:** Paul states that his goal is to please God, not people. If he were trying to please people, he wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
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**Commentary:**
1. **Paul's Apostolic Authority (v. 1-2)**
- From the start, Paul asserts his authority as an apostle, but unlike other apostles who may have received their calling from men, he emphasizes that his apostleship comes directly from God. This is significant because the Galatians are being influenced by teachers who may question his authority. Paul's reminder of his divine commission gives weight to his message.
- By addressing "all the brothers with me," Paul highlights the communal aspect of his mission, showing that he is not a lone figure but part of a larger body of believers.
2. **Christ's Redemptive Work (v. 3-5)**
- Paul’s greeting is theologically rich, encapsulating the core of the gospel: grace and peace through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for humanity's sins. The phrase "to deliver us from the present evil age" indicates a broader cosmic struggle between the forces of good (Christ's kingdom) and evil (the current world system).
- This introduction emphasizes the self-sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission, aligning with God's will for humanity. It serves as a subtle reminder to the Galatians of the central truth they are abandoning.
3. **Desertion and the Distortion of the Gospel (v. 6-7)**
- Paul expresses amazement at how quickly the Galatians are abandoning the gospel for a distorted version. The use of the word "deserting" carries connotations of betrayal, reflecting Paul's deep concern.
The passage Galatians 1:1-10 holds great spiritual significance as it emphasizes the authority of the Gospel. In these verses, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that the Gospel he preaches is not of human origin, but is revealed to him by Jesus Christ. This passage reminds us of the importance of staying true to the core message of the Gospel and not succumbing to false teachings or distortions. It serves as a reminder to remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel, even in the face of opposition or pressure to compromise. This passage encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and not be swayed by deception.
The historical significance of Galatians 1:1-10 lies in its role as a significant piece of early Christian literature. Written by the apostle Paul, this passage addresses the issue of false teachings creeping into the Christian community in Galatia. Paul's strong words emphasize the importance of staying true to the original gospel message and not succumbing to distortions. This passage provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by early Christian communities and the efforts to maintain the purity of Christian teachings. It serves as a historical record of the struggles and debates within the early church, shedding light on the formation of Christian doctrine.
Galatians 1:1-10 holds significant literary value as it serves as the opening passage of the book of Galatians in the New Testament. This section is crucial in setting the tone for the entire letter, as it introduces Paul's authority as an apostle and his concern for the Galatian church. The literary style and structure of this passage reveal Paul's direct and assertive tone, emphasizing the importance of his message. Additionally, the themes of grace, gospel, and the contrast between human opinion and divine revelation are introduced, laying the foundation for the theological discourse that follows throughout the rest of the letter.
Galatians 1:1-10 is the opening passage of the letter to the Galatians, written by the apostle Paul. In this passage, Paul expresses his astonishment that the Galatians are turning away from the true gospel to a different one. He emphasizes that the gospel he preached was not from man but from Jesus Christ himself. Paul is concerned about the influence of false teachers among the Galatians, who are distorting the true message of Christ. This passage sets the stage for the rest of the letter, which focuses on the contrast between the true gospel of grace and the false teachings of legalism.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you today to seek your wisdom and guidance as we reflect on the words written in Galatians 1:1-10. Help us to understand the message conveyed in these verses and to apply it to our lives. May we be vigilant in guarding against any false teachings or distortions of the gospel. Grant us discernment to recognize the truth and the strength to stand firm in our faith.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
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