Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians
Some people were against Paul and questioned whether...
Some people were against Paul and questioned whether he was a true apostle. They did not believe he was honest and did not think he had the right to be a leader in the church. So Paul begins his letter by explaining that he really was an apostle with authority from God.
In all his letters, Paul introduces himself and...
In all his letters, Paul introduces himself and greets the recipients. This greeting stands out because:
1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Paul followed the common style for first-century letters....
Paul followed the common style for first-century letters. He included a greeting, wished for well-being, and introduced the main topic, the good news about Jesus.
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,†
This summary of the good news about Jesus...
This summary of the good news about Jesus is the basis for the following criticism (1:6–10). It might be a creed or statement of faith that Paul used to remind the Galatians of the message they had accepted before.
4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
No Other Gospel
I am amazed: In most of his letters,...
I am amazed: In most of his letters, Paul usually expressed gratitude and prayed for those who received his letters after his greeting (for example, Romans 1:8–10; 1 Corinthians 1:4–5; Philippians 1:3–6; Colossians 1:3–5; 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12). But he had nothing positive to say about the Galatian church.
6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.
let him be under a curse! (literally Let...
let him be under a curse! (literally Let that person be anathema): The Greek word anathema often translates the Hebrew kherem, which in the Old Testament means something dedicated to God for complete destruction (see Leviticus 27:28–29; compare Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22). Paul called for God's strongest wrath on those who distort the good news about Jesus (Galatians 1:7).
even if we or an angel from heaven: No one is allowed to change the good news (compare 2:6–10, 11–14).
let him be under a curse! (literally Let that person be anathema): The Greek word anathema often translates the Hebrew kherem, which in the Old Testament means something dedicated to God for complete destruction (see Leviticus 27:28–29; compare Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22). Paul called for God's strongest wrath on those who distort the good news about Jesus (Galatians 1:7).
even if we or an angel from heaven: No one is allowed to change the good news (compare 2:6–10, 11–14).
8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As 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 under a curse!
Paul Preaches the Gospel
10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
The Judaizers (people who insisted on following Jewish...
The Judaizers (people who insisted on following Jewish customs) came to Galatia. They preached that both faith and circumcision were necessary. They questioned Paul's authority as an apostle and tried to discredit his message. Paul defended his authority by showing that past events proved his message was the true good news.
11For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.† 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
To show that his message was not from...
To show that his message was not from human reasoning (devised by man, 1:11), Paul explains his life before meeting Jesus. He was a very successful Jew (see Acts 8:1–3; 22:1–5; 26:4–5; Philippians 3:4–7). His opposition to God's church and strict following of Judaism showed his belief in the law before Christ confronted him (Galatians 1:15–16).
13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
God, who set me apart from my mother’s...
God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb: God chose Paul for special work even before he was born. This is like how God chose other leaders (see Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 49:1–6; Romans 9:10–13).
called me by His grace: For Paul's conversion story (how he became a follower of Jesus), see Acts 9:1–19; 22:1–21; 26:9–23.
Paul was called to share the good news about Jesus with non-Jews (Galatians 2:7). He even taught other apostles what this meant (see Galatians 2:11–21).
to reveal His Son in me: This might refer to Paul's meeting with Christ (Acts 9:1–19; see also 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8). In me might also mean an inner revelation (see Galatians 2:20; 4:6–7) and suggests that Paul's changed heart showed Christ to others.
God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb: God chose Paul for special work even before he was born. This is like how God chose other leaders (see Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 49:1–6; Romans 9:10–13).
called me by His grace: For Paul's conversion story (how he became a follower of Jesus), see Acts 9:1–19; 22:1–21; 26:9–23.
Paul was called to share the good news about Jesus with non-Jews (Galatians 2:7). He even taught other apostles what this meant (see Galatians 2:11–21).
to reveal His Son in me: This might refer to Paul's meeting with Christ (Acts 9:1–19; see also 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8). In me might also mean an inner revelation (see Galatians 2:20; 4:6–7) and suggests that Paul's changed heart showed Christ to others.
15But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased
Paul learned directly from the Lord and did...
Paul learned directly from the Lord and did not consult with any person, not even the other apostles. Paul was independent from the other apostles but still agreed with them (2:1–10).
16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.
Peter and James spent fifteen days discussing Paul's...
Peter and James spent fifteen days discussing Paul's message, which matched theirs. Paul did not get his authority from the Jerusalem church. His role and authority as an apostle was independent of Jerusalem.
18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas,† and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.
Paul was not working under the guidance of...
Paul was not working under the guidance of the apostles in Jerusalem or the churches in Judea.
21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
The church in Jerusalem was very happy when...
The church in Jerusalem was very happy when Paul became a follower of Jesus. This change (compare 1:13–14) and his message were both God's work (compare Acts 9:31). The way Paul taught about Jesus matched what the Jerusalem church believed.
23They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.