BOOK 48 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

Galatians 1

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Galatians 1 Overview

Paul opens with astonishment that the Galatians are turning from grace to another gospel, which is not truly another. He pronounces a curse on any messenger who corrupts Christ’s gospel and explains that his message came by revelation of Jesus Christ rather than human invention.

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Before you read Galatians 1

Coming from

2 Corinthians 13 closes with examination, restoration, and a Trinitarian blessing.

In this chapter

Leads into

Paul recounts a Jerusalem meeting where Titus is not compelled to be circumcised and where the apostles recognize Paul’s gospel ministry among the Gentiles. He then describes confronting Peter at Antioch when Peter’s withdrawal from Gentiles contradicts gospel truth. Paul states plainly that a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The crisis is gospel-level, not merely a secondary disagreement. Adding law requirements to justification perverts the gospel of grace.

Paul’s personal history demonstrates independence from human authorization while remaining consistent with the apostolic gospel.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

The gospel cannot be revised by impressive messengers

Even an angel is rejected if the message contradicts the received gospel.

Grace excludes a human-merit basis for justification

The Galatians are being moved away from the grace of Christ.

A servant of Christ cannot make human approval the governing standard

Paul rejects people-pleasing when the gospel is at stake.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Acts 9:1–30

Acts records Paul’s conversion and early ministry.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4

Paul summarizes the gospel centered in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Romans 3:24–28

Justification is freely by grace through Christ, apart from deeds of the law.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not call every doctrinal disagreement ‘another gospel’

Paul’s issue is corruption of the basis of justification.

Do not accept new revelation that overturns the apostolic gospel

Paul excludes even angelic contradiction.

Do not make Paul’s independence mean he rejected fellowship with other apostles

Chapter 2 will show recognized unity in the gospel.

Read Galatians 1 watching for…

How many times Paul repeats the curse.

The phrase ‘which is not another.’

Why people-pleasing is incompatible with gospel stewardship.

Paul’s pre-conversion zeal.

The source he claims for his gospel.

Chapter outline4 sections

1-5Paul greets the churches of Galatia and declares the purpose of Christ’s death 6-10Paul warns against turning to another gospel and rejects any false gospel 11-17Paul explains that he received the gospel by revelation of Jesus Christ 18-24Paul recounts his early contact with Peter and the churches of Judea

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

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

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

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:

To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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:

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

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

And they glorified God in me.

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Galatians 1:17

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