- Apr 5, 2024
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- #21
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ [Messiah Yeshua] and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me, Here we see that Paul opens by establishing his credibility, thus placing the necessary weight and value on what he needs to communicate to the Galatians. Continuing on...
Galatians 1:2-9
To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [Messiah Yeshua], who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—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.
Paul certainly grabs attention in the first few verses. Paul accuses the Galatians of going after a different gospel. Not only that, but Paul speaks curses to those that preach a different gospel. Later, we will find out what the “different gospel” is, and how it defines all of Paul’s correction to the Galatians going forward.
Galatians 1:10
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 mentions that he is interested in God’s approval, not man’s approval. This is to highlight the honorable intent related to his correction to the Galatians. In addition, it appears to hint that the errors of the Galatians might be rooted in the social and religious pressure of appeasing others. This is further evident when Paul said this earlier: “...but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” And... “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” From this, we can begin to understand that the Galatians were being influenced by a doctrine stemming from a certain group of people. Or perhaps the Galatians are being led astray by multiple people with multiple doctrinal errors. We don’t know exactly just yet, but more will be revealed later...offering us some more clarity. Later we will find that there is a certain group of people teaching doctrines of men and a “different gospel.” Before then, Paul wants to highlight that he too was once influenced by the doctrines of others. He mentions that he was zealous for the traditions of his fathers, and he had done many things in error. However, once the truth was revealed to him, he did not consult with anyone, nor let himself be influenced in the wrong direction again. In fact, we will find that the group bringing in a “different gospel” to the Galatians, is closely related to the doctrine Paul used to subscribe to in his former life before Messiah Yeshua. Paul is literally saying...”I have been there, done that...and so I am the best person available to you to show you some of the same errors you are falling into...” Paul reviews this with the Galatians, early in his letter, to establish credibility once again, and also to build more trust with the Galatians that the gospel he preaches is the correct gospel. And again, he is also making it clear that in his own past he has made the same mistakes that the Galatians are presently making...suggesting he is worth listening to...and that his concerns are valid. Galatians 1:11-17 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ [Messiah Yeshua]. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. You can see here that Paul appears to be making a strong case that the “different gospel” influencing the Galatians is related to Paul’s former life as a Pharisee. That is not completely established yet, but at this point it seems to be hinted. Paul continues... Galatians 1:18-24 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me. In Galatians 2, Paul continues his story. This second chapter introduces some of the difficult passages in which Paul appears to be telling the Galatians that they are not to observe God’s Law regarding circumcision. Galatians 2:1-5 – Is Paul Against Circumcision? The issue of circumcision may be the most complicated subject to study in the New Testament because many are not aware of the differing views and debates surrounding this topic in the first century. For instance, some Jewish sects made circumcision a prerequisite for salvation (Acts 15:1) as a mark that was required to join their sectarian community. One such sect mentioned in Scripture is referred to as the “Circumcision Party” (Acts 11:2; Galatians 2:12; Titus 1:10). This sect believed that you were “saved” only if you were a member of their group. The apostles obviously did not share this view. Galatians 2:1-5 is often cited to try to prove that converted Gentiles are no longer to be circumcised according to the Law of God:
Galatians 2:1-5
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus [Messiah Yeshua], so that they might bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Often it’s taught that the “false brothers” mentioned in verse 4 were observing the Law of God and that they were attempting to compel the Galatians also to observe God’s Law, bringing the Galatians into “bondage.” It’s taught that this doctrine of keeping God’s Law is contrary to the freedom that we have in Christ. Paul and Titus did not yield to those compelling them to keep God’s Law. Thus, many Christians conclude that observing God’s Law is bondage and against the Gospel. However, this is a flawed interpretation. Remember, Paul said that the Galatians were abandoning the heart of the Gospel message (Galatians 1:6-9).
He warned against seeking the approval of man, and that the Gospel he preaches is not from man but from God (Galatians 1:10-12).
Thus, the “different gospel” being preached to the Galatians by these false teachers was not from God but from men.
This is a crucial point!
Obviously, the Law of God did not come from men; it came from God.
And if the false gospel being pushed on the Galatians was a manmade doctrine, then the false doctrine in Galatians was not the doctrine that believers ought to obey God’s Law! Paul was not preaching against the Law of God—something he calls holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12)—but against a misuse of the Law of God.
To be continued.
Galatians 1:2-9
To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [Messiah Yeshua], who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—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.
Paul certainly grabs attention in the first few verses. Paul accuses the Galatians of going after a different gospel. Not only that, but Paul speaks curses to those that preach a different gospel. Later, we will find out what the “different gospel” is, and how it defines all of Paul’s correction to the Galatians going forward.
Galatians 1:10
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 mentions that he is interested in God’s approval, not man’s approval. This is to highlight the honorable intent related to his correction to the Galatians. In addition, it appears to hint that the errors of the Galatians might be rooted in the social and religious pressure of appeasing others. This is further evident when Paul said this earlier: “...but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” And... “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” From this, we can begin to understand that the Galatians were being influenced by a doctrine stemming from a certain group of people. Or perhaps the Galatians are being led astray by multiple people with multiple doctrinal errors. We don’t know exactly just yet, but more will be revealed later...offering us some more clarity. Later we will find that there is a certain group of people teaching doctrines of men and a “different gospel.” Before then, Paul wants to highlight that he too was once influenced by the doctrines of others. He mentions that he was zealous for the traditions of his fathers, and he had done many things in error. However, once the truth was revealed to him, he did not consult with anyone, nor let himself be influenced in the wrong direction again. In fact, we will find that the group bringing in a “different gospel” to the Galatians, is closely related to the doctrine Paul used to subscribe to in his former life before Messiah Yeshua. Paul is literally saying...”I have been there, done that...and so I am the best person available to you to show you some of the same errors you are falling into...” Paul reviews this with the Galatians, early in his letter, to establish credibility once again, and also to build more trust with the Galatians that the gospel he preaches is the correct gospel. And again, he is also making it clear that in his own past he has made the same mistakes that the Galatians are presently making...suggesting he is worth listening to...and that his concerns are valid. Galatians 1:11-17 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ [Messiah Yeshua]. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. You can see here that Paul appears to be making a strong case that the “different gospel” influencing the Galatians is related to Paul’s former life as a Pharisee. That is not completely established yet, but at this point it seems to be hinted. Paul continues... Galatians 1:18-24 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me. In Galatians 2, Paul continues his story. This second chapter introduces some of the difficult passages in which Paul appears to be telling the Galatians that they are not to observe God’s Law regarding circumcision. Galatians 2:1-5 – Is Paul Against Circumcision? The issue of circumcision may be the most complicated subject to study in the New Testament because many are not aware of the differing views and debates surrounding this topic in the first century. For instance, some Jewish sects made circumcision a prerequisite for salvation (Acts 15:1) as a mark that was required to join their sectarian community. One such sect mentioned in Scripture is referred to as the “Circumcision Party” (Acts 11:2; Galatians 2:12; Titus 1:10). This sect believed that you were “saved” only if you were a member of their group. The apostles obviously did not share this view. Galatians 2:1-5 is often cited to try to prove that converted Gentiles are no longer to be circumcised according to the Law of God:
Galatians 2:1-5
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus [Messiah Yeshua], so that they might bring us into slavery—to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Often it’s taught that the “false brothers” mentioned in verse 4 were observing the Law of God and that they were attempting to compel the Galatians also to observe God’s Law, bringing the Galatians into “bondage.” It’s taught that this doctrine of keeping God’s Law is contrary to the freedom that we have in Christ. Paul and Titus did not yield to those compelling them to keep God’s Law. Thus, many Christians conclude that observing God’s Law is bondage and against the Gospel. However, this is a flawed interpretation. Remember, Paul said that the Galatians were abandoning the heart of the Gospel message (Galatians 1:6-9).
He warned against seeking the approval of man, and that the Gospel he preaches is not from man but from God (Galatians 1:10-12).
Thus, the “different gospel” being preached to the Galatians by these false teachers was not from God but from men.
This is a crucial point!
Obviously, the Law of God did not come from men; it came from God.
And if the false gospel being pushed on the Galatians was a manmade doctrine, then the false doctrine in Galatians was not the doctrine that believers ought to obey God’s Law! Paul was not preaching against the Law of God—something he calls holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12)—but against a misuse of the Law of God.
To be continued.