Paul's Letter To The Galatians

GALATIANS CHAPTER ONE

(A Bible Study Commentary compiled by Don Krow)




If you notice in the Authorized King James version the first 5 verses in chapter 1 make up one complete sentence. This is in accordance with the first-century Jewish and Greek tradition of writing letters which included the name of the author, a short reference to the recipients and some customary words of greetings. The usual practice of Paul would be to express thanksgiving, prayer, and praise for the saints within his salutation (1 Cor. 1:1-5; Phil. 1:1-5; Col. 1:1-4; 1 Th. 1:1-3; 2 Th. 1:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:1-3). In this letter to the Galatians Paul does not follow his normal course but rather immediately defends his apostleship, omits thanksgiving and prayer, and begins to exhibit a mood of almost anger at what is happening to the Galatian believers.




GAL 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul is a Roman name which means "small" or "little." It is used first in Acts 13:9. It was probably the name used to identify him more closely with the Gentiles. Paul could have been a small person in stature or he may have wanted to identify himself as small in comparison to the magnified name of Jesus to which he was preaching.

"The word "apostle" is a translation of the Greek word "APOSTOLOS" {ap-os-tol-os} meaning APO "from" and STELLO "to send," thus referring to the act of sending someone on a commission to represent the sender. It was used of a messenger who was provided with credentials. Our word "ambassador" would be a good translation" (Word Studies in Greek, p. 28). It is important that Paul defend his apostleship, for if the false teachers called the Judaizers could discredit his apostleship they would also discredit the message he was preaching. To make this point of apostleship more forceful the German common language translation translates this phrase "Paul, an apostle, writes this letter."

Paul's apostleship was not bestowed upon him from the earthly Jesus as the other apostles were (Mt. 10:1-5), but his commission was from the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ who was raised the Son of God in power (Rom. 1:4).

Notice that Jesus Christ and God the Father are on a par of equality in bestowing Paul's apostleship. Paul further makes it clear that no group or agency of man had sent him.




GAL 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

In Paul's greeting Paul mentions "all the brethren which are with me." Although Paul is the composer of this letter he is relating the fact that he is not alone in stating the doctrinal truths that he will portray in this letter. There is a "amen" from many as to what Paul will be sharing with these Galatians.

Notice that Paul uses the plural "churches" in addressing the Galatians. This was a circular letter that is not going to a city but rather to a Roman province. There were 4 major cities in this province: Antioch Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.




GAL 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

It's almost amusing that within Paul's salutation that he says, "Grace be to you...FROM GOD." He is writing this letter because the Galatians have started to fall away from the principles of grace (Gal. 5:4). He is now stating within his greeting that the source of grace is God. So who is legalism from?

Notice that grace is from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17).

"Our Lord Jesus Christ" indicates that he is our Master (Lord), our Saviour (Jesus), and our Messiah (Christ). Within the New Covenant He has become ours and we have become His, very much like a marriage relationship (Rom. 7:4). Hebrews 8:10 states that within the New Covenant, God says, "I will be THEIR GOD, and they shall be MY PEOPLE."




GAL 1:4 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:

Now Paul is stating that Jesus gave himself for our sins not only that we might be justified but also "that he might deliver us from this present evil world." The same Greek word for "deliver" {exaireo, ex- ahee-reh-o}, is used in Acts 12:11 for Peter's deliverance out of the hand of Herod (See Acts 12:1-11) and also in Acts 23:27 of Paul's rescue from the narrow escape of death by the Jews (See Acts 21:20-36). The point is that the gospel of grace is a "rescue" and "deliverance" out of the hand of sin (Rom. 6:6; 8:2). The gospel has been given "to set us free so that we do not have to live like people do in this present evil age" (UBS Handbook, p. 9), this is "according to the will of God and our Father."




GAL 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

If you really understand the gospel you shall break out in praise!




GAL 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

The Greek word translated "marvel" in this verse is THAUMAZO {thou-mad-zo} and carries the idea of that which would "evoke surprise." It is translated in various translations by the phrases "I marvel, I am amazed, I am astonished, I am surprised at you!" (KJV; LB; NIV; TEV). Why? Not because they were deserting some doctrine of Theology but because they were deserting GOD HIMSELF. Whenever a person removes himself from the grace that's revealed in Christ he removes himself from God Himself. In the Greek the removing is in the present tense which indicates that the removing is in progress but is not yet complete. In other words, the Galatians were in a state of double mindedness with their ears turned toward a false gospel.




GAL 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Paul is now saying that the Galatians are turning toward "another" gospel. There are 2 different Greek words used in verses 6 and 7 for the word "another." In verse 6 the Greek word for "another" is HETEROS {het-er-os} and means "another of a DIFFERENT kind." That's why the NIV translates this phrase as "turning to a DIFFERENT GOSPEL." The Greek adjective used in verse 7 for "another" is ALLOS {al-los} and means "another of the SAME kind." The Galatians were not turning toward a gospel that was similar in nature to the one they had already received but were turning to a totally different gospel which verse 7 states "is really no gospel at all" (NIV).

To illustrate this if I had 2 apples. One that stood for the gospel of grace, the other that stood for the gospel that the Judaizers preached. Then I said, "Receive the gospel of the Judaizers!" and handed you a banana. I have just offered you a gospel of a totally different nature which Paul said is not the gospel at all.

Notice that Paul says, "that some are TROUBLING you, DISTURBING you, and throwing you into CONFUSION" (KJV; SE; NIV). How? by PERVERTING, TWISTING, CHANGING, and DISTORTING the gospel of Christ, i.e. the good news about Christ (KJV; LB; SE). The Greek word for "perverting" the gospel means "to change" the gospel not by denying it but by mixing something with it. The Galatians were doing this in at least 5 different ways: (1) They tried to find favor with God by observing special days (sabbaths), months, seasons and years (Gal. 4:10). (2) Circumcision was mandatory along with belief in Jesus for salvation (See Gal. 5:2 LB). (3) They thought that part of their righteousness came through observing the law (Gal. 5:4). (4) They believed that righteousness could be obtained by the strength and ability of their own flesh (Gal. 3:3). (5) They also believed in Jesus as Messiah and Saviour (See Acts 15:5). As long as these things (i.e. points 1-4) are voluntary they are not a perversion of the gospel (See Rom. 14:1-6). But if they become an obligation as a means of obtaining righteousness (justification) at that point the gospel is perverted.

We could also say, "Pray, fast, go to church, read your Bible, tithe, and believe in Jesus and you will be accepted in God's sight" would be a perversion of the gospel. If it was merely voluntary it would be good and well pleasing to God. We should do those things. If it's mandatory to receive righteousness (justification) before God it perverts the truth (Gal. 2:21). God has designed salvation in such a way that their will never be boasting from man's flesh (See Rom. 3:27, 28).




GAL 1:8 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.

Paul is now stating "though we," the apostles or companions of Paul in preaching, "or an angel from heaven," claiming an added revelation to the gospel of Christ, preach any gospel unto them than that which Paul had originally preached to them, let those messengers be accursed. The counter parts for this word in the Hebrew meant "to be appointed to utter destruction and to be completely destroyed." These words were used in Numbers 21:3 of the children of Israel utterly destroying the Canaanites. Also in Joshua 6:16-17 of the city of Jericho and it's inhabitants being an accursed thing unto the Lord and appointed to utter destruction.

Paul is now stressing the importance of preaching the true message of the gospel of Christ. If anyone tampers with the true message of the gospel of grace, Paul states, "Let him be accursed!" The Greek word is "anathema" and again means, "a person or thing doomed to destruction" (Thayer's Greek Lexicon). The Today's English Version translates this, "May he be condemned to hell!" This statement will certainly be true of those who have turned away from the good news of Jesus unto another way of salvation which is to be without a gospel at all.




GAL 1:9 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.

Paul is reinforcing the statement he had just made. "I said it once and I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, if anyone preaches A GOSPEL TO YOU THAT IS DIFFERENT, let him be anathema, eternally condemned!

With the hundreds of religions and gospels that are being preached, it behooves us to return to the original gospel as recorded in the scripture. The book of Acts records 13 messages that the apostles preached and the response that was demanded. Many times these messages have been the standard by which I've tested men's gospel. Books such as Romans and Galatians then expound on an expand that message.




GAL 1:10 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.

Paul is stating, "I'm not preaching man's gospel. I'm not trying to please man." The word for "persuade" in the King James is PEITHO {pi-tho} and means "to win over, and render friendly to one's self" (Word Studies in the Greek, p. 42). Paul was not trying to win over and make friends by preaching man's gospel. If that were the case he would not be the servant of Christ. Paul states in 1 Th. 2:4, "We speak as messengers from God, trusted by him to tell the truth; we change his message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it; for we serve God alone, who examines our hearts deepest thoughts" (LB).

As a "servant" Paul can have only one master and he has chosen Christ (Mt. 6:24). Therefore, he will speak only the message of the one he serves.




GAL 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Paul now states, "But I certify you brethren {a phrase that means "to make known, i.e. to make it perfectly clear"} that the gospel which was preached of me {"preached" being a verb & often rendered in a way that indicates a continuous action i.e. the gospel which I am in a custom of preaching} is not after man, it's not according to man, it's not something that man made up, it's not man-made, it's not of human origin (KJV; NKJV; NIV; SE; TEV).




GAL 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul did not receive his gospel from a human being, neither did he learn it from a human source, but it was revealed to him by Jesus Christ. The Greek meaning of a "revelation" of Jesus Christ carries the idea of "taking off a cover, i.e. an unveiling or disclosure" of Jesus Christ. It wasn't that Paul had no understanding of the historical facts that Jesus had died, but now he had a spiritual understanding of the historical facts that revealed that salvation was Jesus alone.

The little preposition "of" i.e. the revelation OF Jesus Christ could mean a couple of things: (1) The revelation of the gospel was FROM Jesus Christ to Paul. (2) The content of the revelation, which was from God, WAS JESUS CHRIST (See Rom. 1:1-3) (UBS Handbook, p. 18).




GAL 1:13 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:

The Galatians had heard about Paul's former conduct and manner of life in Judaism {how they heard we are not sure: word of mouth, from Paul himself, etc.}. The phrase "in time past" refers to his former life before meeting Jesus Christ. Paul's religious zeal is referred to in Phil. 3:5-6 which describes him as a "Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless, i.e. he "tried to obey every Jewish rule and regulation right down to the very last point" (LB). He was in a religious system, like all of the world's religious systems that tried to achieve righteousness before God by human effort. When confronted by the claims of Jesus Christ and the real truth proclaimed in the law he realized he was the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15), that by the works of law no person could ever be justified (Gal.2:16), and that the gospel was a gospel of grace (Acts 15:11; 20:24).

Notice his religious zeal led to the persecuting of those preaching the gospel of grace. Paul will speak more about this later in his epistle through the illustration of Ishamel and Isaac (See Gal. 4:21-31). False religion has always persecuted true religion and it will continue to be this way until the end of the age. Law and grace are 2 different ways of approaching God with opposite results (See Rom. 9:30-33 - 10:1-10). Their not 2 different ways of receiving the same thing.

In the Greek the imperfect tense is used of both words "persecuted" and "wasted." This implies the persecution that Saul persecuted the church with was consistent, in excess, without mercy and continued for some time. The imperfect tense of the verb for "wasted it" indicates an ATTEMPT, as well as an ACTION to "destroy" the church which continued for a period of time (UBS Handbook, p.19).




GAL 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Paul advanced within the ranks of Judaism. In the Greek the word for "profited" literally means "to drive forward {as if by beating} i.e. to advance" (Strong's). Just as in a race a person might beat an animal to drive him forward and cause him to advance over the others. So Paul was driven by religion. Paul is now speaking of his youth when he advanced and drove himself forward in the Jewish religion beyond many of his own age (Acts 22:3). He was superabundantly zealous for the traditions of men. This would be a good definition for religion, "To make the word of God of none effect through tradition" (See Mk. 7:9-13 NIV).




GAL 1:15-17 [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.

If you notice in the English as well as in the Greek text verses 15-17 is one complete sentence.

Paul is speaking about 3 things that God's grace has done for him: (1) He was separated from his mother's womb, i.e. he was set apart and kept apart for a specific purpose from before his birth (Jud. 16:17; Lk. 1:13-15). He was set apart to be an apostle. (2) He was "called" by God's grace. The word literally means "to shout at." God's grace shouted at Saul and said, Turn around because I want you. (3) Reveal my Son to you or in you. To show me who God's Son really is. Again the word "reveal" from Greek means "to take off the cover." What began as God's Son being revealed to Paul ended up being a revelation of God's Son in Paul (TNTC, p. 52).

This was all the work of grace that Paul "might preach Him (Jesus) among the Gentiles." This revelation was for the purpose of proclamation. A revelation of God's Son, an illumination of Christ that require no conference, no communication, no consulting from flesh and blood i.e. a living person.

In verse 17 Paul now states what he didn't do, and what he did do. He didn't go to Jerusalem to consult with the 12 original apostles about the gospel. What he did do was to go into the deserts of Arabia {maybe to study the O.T. Scriptures without tradition} and then returned back to the city of Damascus.




GAL 1:18-19 [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.

The 3 years mentioned here is probably referring to 3 years after his conversion he went up to Jerusalem. The reason for this visit was to get acquainted with Peter. He stayed with Peter for 15 days {about 2 weeks}. There may be a couple of reasons that Paul mentions this visit: (1) He was only with Peter a brief period of time and could not have possibility be instructed fully in the gospel so quickly. The Judiazers were saying that Paul had learned his gospel from the apostles and had now defected from its original message. Paul's point continues to be that the gospel was revealed to him not by man. (2) The Judiazers could claim Paul's message was not that of Peter's and Paul wants his readers to understand his acquaintance and harmony with Peter and the overseer of the Jerusalem church, James the brother of the Lord.

It could be also possible that because of persecution from the Jews that Paul's visit was cut short (Acts 9:27-30; 22:17-21).

The James mentioned in verse 19 is not James the son of Zebedee or James the son of Alphaeus, part of the original 12 (Mt. 10:1-4), but James the brother of the Lord who is also in this verse referred to as an apostle.




GAL 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Paul wants to strengthen the points of his letter by stating before God he is not lying, i.e. he is telling the truth. But obviously someone indeed is lying to the Galatians. If Paul's character or apostleship is questioned so is his message. Paul speaks about those that say one thing and do another in Rom. 2:21-24 and states that inconsistency in character while preaching God's message causes others to think less of God. God is judged by the conduct of those who proclaim his message. Paul states, "Listen to me, what I've written to you is the truth, before God I lie not."




GAL 1:21-22 [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:

After 15 days with Peter, Paul left Judea and travelled to the Roman provinces of Syria and Cilicia. He was personally unacquainted with the churches of Judea.

The phrase "which were in Christ" distinguishes the Jewish Christians from the Jews and their synagogues in Judea.




GAL 1:23-24 [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.

The Judean churches kept constantly hearing from others about Paul. "HEARD is in the Greek text THEY KEPT CONSTANTLY HEARING" (Wuest's Word Studies, p.55). The content of that which they heard was, that one who tried to stop people from believing in Christ and destroy the Christian faith is now preaching faith in Christ as the only means of salvation.

In verse 24 the preposition "in" is used here as indicating the REASON or BASIS of an action, i.e. "they praised God for what He had done in me" {Paul} (Knox) (UBS Handbook, P. 26). The verb used for "glorified" indicates CONTINUOUS ACTION, i.e. Paul's example caused the Judean churches to continually glorify God. The Living Bible states, "And they gave glory to God because of me."


------------------------------------------------------------------------


BIBLIOGRAPHY

(Sources cited and consulted)

(Strong's) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. By James Strong, S.T.D., Abingdon Press, New York. Nashville.

(Thayer's) The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. By Joseph Henry Thayer, D. D., Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA 01961.

(WWS or Wuest) Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament. Volume One. By Kenneth S. Wuest. Wm.B.Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49502.

(UBS Handbook) A Handbook on Paul's Letter to the Galatians. By Daniel C. Arichea & Eugene A. Nida. United Bible Societies, New York.

(TNTC) Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. (Galatians). By R. A. Cole. Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, England. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Galatians, The Spirit-Controlled Life. By Bob Yandian, Harrison House, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

(KJV) King James Version or Authorized Version of 1611.

(NKJV) New King James Version. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville. Cameden. New York.

(LB) The Living Bible. A paraphrase by Kenneth N. Taylor. Tyndale House Publishers.

(SE) The Simple English Bible, New Testament. International Bible Foundation, Dallas, Texas.

(NIV) The New International Version. By International Bible Society, Colorado Springs, CO.

(TEV) Today's English Version. By American Bible Society, New York.

(Knox) The New Testament: Translated by Ronald Knox. Sheed & Ward. 1954. New York.

(Mof) The Bible: A New Translation by James Moffatt. Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, Evanston and London.





E-mail us at: WJoKrow@aol.com

 For more information see our web site at
http://www.behold.net/krowtracts/index.html
