Gal 1 | MHM | STEP | The Introductory Address Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with a strong introduction. He wants the believers to know who is writing to them and why he has authority to speak. Paul also wishes them God’s blessings and reminds them of the great love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He ends this opening with praise to God, setting a respectful and hopeful tone for the rest of the letter. v. 1 : Paul introduces himself as an apostle. He makes it clear that his apostleship is not from any human source or by human authority, but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. Paul’s calling is unique and divine. He also mentions that all the brothers who are with him agree with his message ( Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) , Galatians 1:1 ).

‏ Galatians 1

The Introductory Address

Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with a strong introduction. He wants the believers to know who is writing to them and why he has authority to speak. Paul also wishes them God’s blessings and reminds them of the great love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He ends this opening with praise to God, setting a respectful and hopeful tone for the rest of the letter.

v. 1: Paul introduces himself as an apostle. He makes it clear that his apostleship is not from any human source or by human authority, but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. Paul’s calling is unique and divine. He also mentions that all the brothers who are with him agree with his message (Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;), Galatians 1:1 ^a).

v. 2: This letter is written to the churches in Galatia. There were several Christian communities in this region, and they were all facing trouble from false teachers. Paul addresses all of them, hoping to guide them back to the true faith (And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia, Galatians 1:2 ^b).

v. 3: Paul gives his usual blessing at the start of his letter. He wishes them grace and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is God’s kindness and help, and peace is the comfort and security that comes from God. Paul reminds them that true peace comes only when we first receive God’s grace (Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 1:3 ^c).

v. 4: Paul explains what Jesus has done for believers. Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil world. This was God the Father’s plan. Jesus’ sacrifice saves us from the power of sin and from the evil around us, and shows God’s love and purpose for us (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, Galatians 1:4 ^d; see also John 20:17 ^e).

v. 5: Paul ends his introduction with a doxology, giving praise and glory to God forever. He reminds us that God deserves all honor for His greatness and for the blessings He gives us through Christ (To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen, Galatians 1:5 ^f).

The Apostle's Concern at Their Defection

Paul now begins the main part of his letter, expressing his shock and sadness that the Galatians are already turning away from the true gospel. He gently rebukes them for being so quick to abandon the good news of Jesus for a distorted message. Paul also warns them about the danger of accepting any teaching that changes the message of Christ, even if it comes from someone important or impressive.

v. 6: Paul is amazed and saddened that the Galatians are so quickly leaving the God who called them by the grace of Christ. He is surprised at how soon they have turned away from the true gospel for a different message. This is a serious mistake because the gospel brings the greatest blessings, like forgiveness and eternal life (I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, Galatians 1:6 ^g).

v. 7: Paul explains that this “other gospel” is not really a different gospel at all. Instead, it is a distortion of the gospel of Christ. People are confusing and troubling the believers by changing the message of salvation (Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ, Galatians 1:7 ^h).

v. 8: Paul warns that even if he himself, or an angel from heaven, were to preach a gospel different from what he already preached, that person should be cursed. The true gospel cannot be changed, no matter who brings another message (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, Galatians 1:8 ⁱ).

v. 9: To make his point clear, Paul repeats the warning. If anyone preaches a gospel different from what the Galatians received, that person is under a curse. The message of grace through Jesus must remain pure and unchanged (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,.

The Apostle's Integrity

In this section, Paul strongly defends his apostleship and the gospel he preaches. He addresses criticisms from false teachers who tried to discredit him, and he clearly explains that his mission and message come directly from God. Paul emphasizes his commitment to pleasing God rather than people and recounts how he received the gospel through divine revelation, not from human sources. His story highlights the transforming power of God’s grace and his unwavering dedication to his calling.

v. 10: Paul boldly states that his goal is to win God’s approval, not people’s. He does not shape his message to please others, as the false teachers do. Instead, he focuses on being faithful to Christ. Paul explains that if he were trying to please people, he would not be a servant of Christ (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, Galatians 1:10 ^j).

v. 11: Paul assures the Galatians that the gospel he preaches is not a human invention. It is not something he heard or learned from other people, but a message that came directly from God (But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, Galatians 1:11 ^k).

v. 12: Paul emphasizes that he received the gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ. His knowledge of the gospel was not taught to him by anyone but was given to him directly by Christ Himself (For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ, Galatians 1:12 ^l).

v. 13–14: Paul describes his past life, showing how drastically God changed him. He once persecuted the church violently and tried to destroy it. He was deeply devoted to Judaism and excelled in following the traditions of his ancestors. His background makes it clear that his conversion to Christianity was not influenced by human effort but by God’s intervention (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, Galatians 1:13–14 ^m).

–

v. 15–16: Paul explains that God had a plan for him even before he was born. God called him by His grace and revealed Jesus to him so that Paul could preach to the Gentiles. Paul did not consult with anyone after his conversion, showing that his calling and message came directly from God (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, Galatians 1:15–16 ⁿ).

–

v. 17: Instead of going to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles, Paul went to Arabia and later returned to Damascus. This shows that his ministry began independently and under God’s direction, not through human approval (Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus, Galatians 1:17 ^o).

v. 18–19: After three years, Paul went to Jerusalem to meet Peter, but he stayed only fifteen days. During this time, he met none of the other apostles except James, the brother of Jesus. This further supports that Paul’s gospel message was not influenced by the apostles (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, Galatians 1:18–19 ^p).

–

v. 20: Paul solemnly declares before God that everything he is writing is true. This shows the importance of what he is saying and his commitment to honesty (Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not,.

v. 21–24: Paul then went to Syria and Cilicia. The churches in Judea had not met him personally, but they had heard about his transformation. They knew that the man who once persecuted Christians was now preaching the gospel. This caused them to glorify God for what He had done in Paul’s life (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, Galatians 1:21–24 ^q).