GALATIANS 1:1–10
No Other Gospel
Paul doesn't ease into Galatians.
There is no long thanksgiving as we find in several of his other letters.
After a brief greeting, he goes almost immediately to the problem:
“I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away... to a different gospel.” — Galatians 1:6
Something serious was happening in Galatia.
To understand Paul's strong language, we need to find out what it was.
Who Sent Paul?
Paul begins:
“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father...” — Galatians 1:1
That is more than an introduction.
Paul's authority was apparently part of the controversy.
Was Paul merely teaching his own version of Christianity?
Had he received his gospel from other men?
Paul begins answering those questions with his first sentence.
His apostleship did not originate with men.
It came through Jesus Christ and God the Father.
Paul will return to that point throughout the first two chapters.
The Cross Is Already at the Center
Paul describes Jesus as the One:
“who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.” — Galatians 1:4
Before Paul says anything about circumcision or the Law of Moses, he reminds them what Christ has done.
Jesus gave Himself for our sins.
Our rescue rests upon Christ.
That prepares us for the argument that follows.
“I Am Amazed”
Then Paul gets directly to the problem:
“I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” — verse 6
Notice Paul's wording.
They were not merely changing opinions about some minor question.
In turning to this other message, they were turning away from God.
That's how seriously Paul regarded the issue.
Was There Really Another Gospel?
Paul immediately corrects himself:
“Not that there is another gospel...” — verse 7
There aren't several equally valid gospels from which Christians may choose.
There is one gospel.
But some people were troubling the Galatians and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.
As we continue through the letter, the nature of that distortion becomes clearer.
Gentile believers were being pressured to accept circumcision and the Law of Moses.
The message was no longer simply Christ.
Something was being added.
What Was Being Added?
This is important because Galatians is sometimes quoted as though Paul were opposing every kind of human action or obedience.
But we must let the letter tell us what the controversy was.
Later Paul asks:
“If you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.” — Galatians 5:2
And:
“Every man who lets himself be circumcised... is obligated to obey the whole law.” — Galatians 5:3
That helps us understand chapter 1.
The “different gospel” involved requiring Gentile Christians to come under the covenant given through Moses.
Paul says that changes the gospel.
Even If an Apostle Changed the Message?
Paul makes an astonishing statement:
“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!” — verse 8
Notice Paul's standard.
He does not say:
Believe something because Paul says it.
The gospel already delivered becomes the standard by which even Paul himself must be tested.
Then Paul repeats the warning in verse 9.
That repetition tells us how serious he is.
What About an Angel?
Paul even includes:
“an angel from heaven.”
A spectacular experience does not have authority to change the gospel.
A vision cannot change it.
An impressive teacher cannot change it.
Even an apostle cannot change it.
The message must be tested against the gospel already revealed.
That's a principle worth remembering whenever someone claims that God has given a new revelation that changes what the apostles taught.
Was Paul Trying to Please People?
Paul asks:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” — verse 10
Apparently someone could accuse Paul of making Christianity easier for Gentiles by not requiring circumcision.
Paul's answer is straightforward.
If his goal were simply to please people, he would not be Christ's servant.
His message was not determined by what Jews wanted.
It was not determined by what Gentiles wanted.
It was determined by Christ.
Read the Argument Before Building a Doctrine
We are only ten verses into Galatians, but already Paul's argument is taking shape.
Christ gave Himself for our sins.
There is one gospel.
That gospel must not be altered.
Human authority cannot alter it.
Even supernatural claims cannot alter it.
And Paul is about to explain where his gospel came from.
Before we use Galatians to settle modern arguments about faith, works, law, grace, or obedience, we need to keep reading.
We need to discover what Paul meant by those words in this letter.
That's what context requires.
One Question to Carry With Us
As we continue through Galatians, keep asking:
What exactly were these teachers adding to the gospel?
Paul will tell us.
And once we know the problem Paul was addressing, we'll be in a much better position to understand his answer.
Read the paragraph.
Follow the argument.
Check the context.
Read First. Conclude Later.