Galatians
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Galatians 1
Galatians 1
1Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2and all the brethren that are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Commentary · verses 1-2
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 world, according to the will of our God and Father: 5to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Paul's greeting was concluded and he could address the main theme...
6I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; 7which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Commentary · verses 6-7
Paul was surprised at how fast they were removed from Christ to another gospel. Paul was concerned with the false teaching that was happening in Galatia.
8But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.
8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Commentary · verse 8
Paul stated to the Galatians that if anyone, including Paul, preached any gospel other than the one Paul had preached to them, the false teachers should be cursed. The word "anathema" was actually the original Greek word that meant "accursed." Notice, Paul stated that even an angel from heaven would be cursed if that angel preached another gospel other than the one Paul had preached. This showed that angels have a free-will; angels are yet to be judged. According to 1 Corinthians 6:3, believers will judge angels.
9As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.
9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Commentary · verse 9
Paul repeated himself. He really wanted to let them know that there was no other Gospel and that preaching a different gospel would result in being cursed.
Doctrines on this passage
10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.
11For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.
12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Commentary · verses 10-12
Doctrine: Nothing about the Gospel could be construed as having come from man. Paul was not writing this letter to seek favor from the Galatians. Paul assured the people that he was not teaching them a gospel he received from a man but that he received this Gospel through revelation of Jesus Christ.
Doctrines on this passage
13For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havoc of it: 14and I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Commentary · verses 13-14
Paul contrasted the Gospel from God he was currently preaching with the beliefs he had previously been preaching which were from man. Paul realized the people may think he was preaching as a man since he did man's work while he was a Pharisee.
15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even 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; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Commentary · verses 15-17
Paul's calling to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles was also not a man's strategy, but from the grace of God which Paul immediately obeyed without talking with man. Nothing about Paul's preaching of the Gospel was man's idea.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Commentary · verse 18
Paul was in Arabia for three years before he went to Jerusalem (Acts 9) to see Peter.
19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
20Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
20Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
Commentary · verses 19-21
Paul mentioned visiting the regions of Syria and Cilicia. These were places in Galatia that Paul visited on his first missionary journey: Acts 14. The Galatians were among the first people to experience Paul's ministering to the Gentiles.
22And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ: 23but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; 24and they glorified God in me.
22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ:
23But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24And they glorified God in me.
Commentary · verses 22-24
The people recognized that Paul, a former persecutor of the church, was not at work here but that it was God who worked through him.
Commentary · verse 24
Theme of Chapter 1: Paul was concerned that the Galatians were no longer following the Gospel Paul preached. Paul emphasized the Gospel he preached had everything to do with God and nothing to do with man.
As was common, Paul made note that he was appointed as an Apostle by God. Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia which was roughly described as the central region of the peninsula of Asia Minor.