The Author's Identity
1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: 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 forever and ever. Amen.
In verse 1 in this book as well as Paul's other books, he identifies himself and gives a description. He states his name and gives a description of him. He made sure his audience knew his designation was not given to him by men. Instead, it came from God Himself.
In verse 2 he includes those with him. Then he states the recipients of the epistle.
In verse 3, Paul uses the twin words "grace and peace." Grace is the Greek word for favor or good-will. Peace is Shalom in Hebrew. Paul was greeting a Greek audience as well as a Hebrew audience.
Notice in verse 3, Paul prays and includes some identifying information about God and Jesus. You will find that Paul was never on a first name basis with Jesus. He uses a double or triple name such as Lord Jesus or Lord Jesus Christ in all his books.
Then he ends his prayer with "Amen."
No Other Gospel
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in 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 them be under God’s curse! 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 them be under God’s curse!
Paul states the purpose of this book. He is concerned that the Galatians are deserting what they already know about God and turning to a different gospel. Paul uses what is known as an "aside." He said under his breath "which is really no gospel at all." Asides are set off in your Bible by dashes, hyphens or parentheses. Look for them in all his writings.
He continues by telling the Galatians that they are being thrown into confusion by listening to others who preach a different gospel. He is so serious that he says the same thing in Verse 8 and Verse 9. Make sure you know what it is. Paul makes sure his readers know that he is not a people pleaser. If so, he would not be a servant of God.
Paul Called by God
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 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 of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas 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 Then 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.
Make sure you can answer the following questions before you take the quiz.
Verses 1-5
--Paul addresses himself in verse 1 and describes himself. Look for this in most of all his 13 books.
--Paul greets the recipients.
--He uses "Grace and peace."
--He does not call Jesus by one name.
--He ends his prayer with "Amen" the same as we do.
Verses 6-10
--Paul makes it clear that there is no other gospel. Those who preach another gospel should be cursed.
Verses 11-24
This entire section is Paul's resume. Looking through it, you will see some of his credentials.
--He wasn't taught the gospel but received revelations from Jesus Christ.
--Notice in Verse 13, Paul admitted how he persecuted the Christians in the past. Now he is one of them. He confessed that he was zealous for Judaism and wanted to impress his forefathers.
--God called Paul to preach to the Gentiles.
--Paul indicated that once he heard from God, he did not consult any humans to confirm it.
--Verse 23 tells about the Gentiles' initial thoughts about Paul. Then Verse 24 is clear that they accepted him and praised God for him.
REVIEW the above lesson.
Then click on the link below to take GALATIANS QUIZ 1.
Proceed to LESSON 2
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