Galatians is an epistle written by Paul the apostle. He began Galatians Chapter 1 by asserting that he is an apostle who was appointed by Christ. Paul claimed that this fact alone made him unlike the other apostles.
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Paul’s Reason for Writing
Paul was writing this letter to the churches of Galatia because there was a huge problem about men claiming to be teachers for the Lord. Their true intention, however, was to steer the people away from the Scripture and insert alternate other books and teachings. These false teachers wanted to discredit Paul’s word in order to continue their selfish mission of corrupting the church of Christ.
Paul Speaks against False Teachers
In Galatians Chapter 1, Paul mentioned that he was disappointed in how easily false teachers were able to sway people away from the Scripture. He claimed to curse any man, whether he was a priest or not, that spoke of any other word than the Word of the Lord. As an obedient servant of God, he saw it as his duty to please Him and not man.
Paul Defends His Message
Paul’s Gospel was being put on trial by those that questioned his power as an apostle. Paul continued to defend his gospel by saying that its words were sent to him by the Lord and not by man. He wrote how God’s grace saved his soul by calling him to preach the Scripture to the Gentiles. He claimed that he had very little interaction with the other apostles.
Paul Tells of His Travels
After his conversion he did not consult with man, but traveled to Arabia. Then after three years he traveled to see Peter in Jerusalem, but only stayed for 15 days. The only other apostle he spoke with was James, the brother of Christ.
Paul then moved to Syria and Cilicia, remaining out of sight to the churches of Judea. The people of Judea had only heard of Paul’s teachings, which was enough to make believers out of most.
Galatians 1 (King James Version)
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But 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.
9 As 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.
10 For 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.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For 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:
14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.