Galatians 1:1-10
Paul's Appointed Apostleship (Galatians 1:1-2)
Paul begins with his Pauline apostolic introduction to the churches of Galatia. He introduces himself as an ἀπόστολος (apostle), meaning "one who is sent." This calling is not from men, nor through man, but comes directly through Jesus Christ and God the Father. His apostleship would mean nothing if God had not raised Jesus Christ from the dead. But thanks be to the Lord, He has indeed ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν (raised Him from the dead)! Paul also mentions the ἀδελφοί (brothers), one of whom was most likely Saint Barnabas, who are laboring with him in Christ to proclaim the Gospel. This letter carries not only the weight of Paul's apostolic authority but also the collective witness and unity of his fellow co-laborers in the ministry of the Word, as seen throughout the book of Acts, specifically in chapters 13 and 14.
Grace, Peace, and His Glory (Galatians 1:3-5)
God gives us χάρις (grace) through the forgiveness of our sins by Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, who παρέδωκεν ἑαυτόν (gave Himself) up as the perfect and final sacrifice on the cross. He also gives us εἰρήνη (peace) through reconciliation with Himself, because we are now seen as righteous in His eyes through justification by faith. All of this was done κατὰ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ καὶ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν (according to the will of our God and Father), demonstrating that He is sovereign over all things, even in giving up His Son to pay the wages of our sins. This was so that ὅπως ἐξέληται ἡμᾶς ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος τοῦ ἐνεστῶτος πονηροῦ (to deliver us from the present evil age), a temporary age of enslavement to sin, ruled by the evil forces of this world. Yet we are assured that, as Christians, we are a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. In all of this, God receives all the glory for all eternity. He alone is worthy of all praise and honor. Soli Deo gloria. Amen.
Astonishment at Desertion (Galatians 1:6-7)
Paul is θαυμάζω (astonished), meaning he is deeply perplexed and shocked that the Galatians are turning to a false gospel. οὕτως ταχέως (so quickly) their rapid departure from the true gospel suggests that their conversion to Christ was recent, revealing their vulnerability to false teachings. They lacked the biblical discernment to distinguish truth from error. This makes Paul's astonishment even greater, as if his labor in preaching the gospel to them had been in vain, especially given how quickly and without hesitation they turned away from the true Gospel. There is only one true Gospel. Any other doctrine that claims to be the Gospel when it is not is a distortion of the Gospel. Paul acknowledges that there are those in the church who will preach such false doctrine.
Severe Warnings Against False Gospels (Galatians 1:8-9)
The word ἀνάθεμα (accursed) means to be doomed to misery and destruction. ἀνάθεμα is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word חֵרֶם, which appears in passages such as Deuteronomy 7:26 and Joshua 6:17. In those contexts, God sets certain peoples apart for judgment, devoting them to destruction. In Deuteronomy 7:26, God commands the Israelites not to bring any idols into their homes, lest they themselves become devoted to destruction. In Joshua 6:17, God gives instructions to annihilate an entire city as an expression of His ultimate judgment on Jericho for its idolatry, child sacrifice, and other grievous sins. Paul is highlighting the serious and grievous consequences for those who preach a false gospel. He even declares ἀνάθεμα ἔστω (let him be accursed) twice in this passage, displaying the great severity and condemnation of false teaching. Paul is essentially saying that those who distort the gospel are set apart by God for destruction. It does not matter who preaches this abomination of a false gospel. Even if it comes from the Apostles themselves, let them be accursed. Christians who hold church authority cannot escape the wrath of God if they lead others astray.
Seeking God's Approval, Not Man's (Galatians 1:10)
Paul makes a clear distinction in ἄρτι γὰρ ἀνθρώπους πείθω ἢ τὸν Θεόν ("Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?") One cannot do both at the same time. If a person seeks to please man, then he is not truly serving the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel cannot be compromised for the sake of acceptance or affirmation by others. It is meant to convict us of our need for a Savior and to turn us to Jesus Christ. If Christians seek to please man rather than to please God, they forget the severe consequences of spreading a compromised Gospel, which is in truth a distorted Gospel. In doing so, they place themselves dangerously close to the position of a false teacher. This is why not everyone should become teachers, because there is greater condemnation for those who lead others astray.
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