Galatians 1
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1Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 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 age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 6I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”; 7and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed. 10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ. 11But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. 13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it. 14I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me 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, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus. 18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother. 20Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. 21Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 23but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God in me.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed."”
Galatians 1:8
Summary
In Galatians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul opens his letter to the churches in Galatia by defending his authority as an apostle, which he asserts was given directly by Jesus Christ and God the Father. Paul is astonished that the Galatians are quickly deserting the grace of Christ for a different gospel, which he insists is no gospel at all. This chapter highlights Paul's serious concern about false teachers who are distorting the original gospel message and emphasizes the divine revelation he received. Paul recounts his conversion experience and how he received the message of the gospel not from human sources but through a revelation of Jesus Christ, validating his authority and the authenticity of his message. Paul emphasizes the danger of turning to a distorted gospel, arguing that any divergence from the true gospel message is condemned. He makes it clear that he seeks to please God, not people, and that his primary commitment is to the truth of the gospel. Theologically, this chapter underlines the centrality of the gospel of grace and the importance of apostolic authority. Paul’s personal testimony serves to remind the Galatians of the transforming power of Christ and the unwavering truth of the gospel message he preached.
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