Galatians Chapter 1
January 3, 2007
1 Paul, an apostle–sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead– 2 and all the brothers with me, 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles–only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me. NIV
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you 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 still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, F1 and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) 21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me. NKJV
January 4, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Well, it took me a few times to read it so I could really understand it so this is what I got. First was that Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle and not by man is stated. And then it talks about false witnessing how people then and even now were confused on which gospel to preach and whoever didn’t preach the gospel of Christ would be persecuted. And then what I think is cool is when it says how God seperated Paul from birth and had God’s grace in him and was revealed Christ so that he could go out into the world and preach the gospel of Christ I just thought that was awesome. And then it tells where Paul went to preach and where he went back to. And then it ends how God was glorified in Paul.
January 4, 2007 at 10:32 pm
Just like Ally said…its awesome that from the beginning God has a preset plan for Paul’s life…to be used to revolutionalize the world…The next awesome part is that we are no different than paul…God wants to use us to revolutionize the world..>We just have to desire to serve him and follow him…Good Job Ally.
January 4, 2007 at 11:07 pm
The first scripture that really hit home with me was verse 10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This scripture sort of sums up the way I feel sometimes. Sometimes I feel like all of my efforts are going towards convincing people that what I believe is true WITHOUT pushing them away. In my efforts to not push them away I feel like I am trying to first gain their approval and then tell them what I really believe. Like I first have to tell a lie to get to the truth. But this is not how we are supposed to share the gospel. This is the reason why we have Sunday Christian’s. Because we as leaders, as Christians, have watered down the message of Christ to make it easier to swallow. But this isn’t how Christianity was intended to be…it is supposed to be tuff..it’s supposed to be a sacrifice. Would you want your future wife or husband to say you were EASY to get? I don’t think so. So why should Christ be any different He is our bridegroom…we should treat Him that way.
The second scripture that caught me was verse 11 “I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.” The bible, Christ, God is not a fairy tale. Quit treating Christianity like it’s a story book unreality. Christ was a man, just as you and me walk this earth so did He. He really really gave His life on the cross so that we might have life. I would challenge any one who is struggling in their walk to seriously consider what is real in their life. How does reality, truth, and who God has called you to be add up.
The third scriptures I want to comment on are “15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.” I love this scripture because every time God moves in someone’s life there is no hesitation…no looking back…no terrying. They just go and do, no questions. That is the characteristic that seperates average Christians and outstanding Christians. When I get to heaven I hope that Jesus will be able to look at my life and say
Mt 25:23 - Show Context
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
The last scripture I have to say something about is verse 23 “ They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.” This is an example of how the church should operate. When Paul gave his life to the Lord, the church did not question him…they didn’t make him jump through hoops to prove he was now a Christian. They simply rejoiced that their brother has come home. Luke Chapter 15 verse 21-24 says
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
15:22
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
15:23
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
15:24
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
January 4, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Well, well, well. An interesting introduction in light of the eternal question of free will or predestination.
Paul certainly claims to have been “called” a number of times and if ever there was an example of GOd literally calling someone to salvation it was Paul. He was stopped in his travels, and blinded by the truth of God’s glory. Literally blinded! After this revealing of GOd to him, he followed God’s design for his life.
Interesting to meet that the only person he met while visiting Jerusalem was the brother of Christ and he kind of name-drops James to prove that he is legit.
This chapter will address an eternal problem amoung believers; finding the truth and being led astray by the deceiver.