Galatians 1 – Page 2 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: Galatians 1

Galatians 1:14 – Zealous Student

Posted on July 30, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:14

And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Truth to Learn

Religious zeal is good, but only if applied to the God’s truth.

Behind the Words

The word translated “contemporaries” (translated as “equals” in some versions) is from the Greek word sunēlikiōtēs. This is a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together” and hēlikiōtēs, which means “one of the same age.” So Paul is saying that he advanced in Judaism beyond many of the young men of his own age.

Meaning Explained

As Paul continues to share his conversion testimony with the Christians in the churches of Galatia, he tells them that not only was he one who persecuted the church, but that he did so because of the zeal he had to do the things he had learned.

He tells us in the current verse that he advanced beyond many of his contemporaries. Paul began studying the religion of his father at a very young age and even though he was born in Tarsus, his parents sent him to Jerusalem as a boy to study under the great Rabbi Gamaliel where he was tops in his class.

In the next part of this verse Paul tells us why he advanced beyond his classmates, “being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” Paul was determined to learn as much as he could about Judaism. He didn’t just sit in the pew each Sabbath singing the songs with everyone else and listening to the reading of the scripture and the teaching of the rabbis, then going on living his life the way he wanted to the rest of the week. He listened intently to the teaching, he took notes, he re-read the scriptures during the week and reviewed his notes. He applied himself and put into practice the things he learned.

This sounds all well and good, and many Christians today do the same thing, being zealous in pursuing all that the preacher says each Sunday. But Paul tells us in the end of this verse that it was not the truth of the Scriptures that he was zealous about it was, “the traditions of my fathers.” You see, the Jews had the written scriptures (we refer to it as the Old Testament) but they also had the “oral tradition.” In Paul’s day these oral traditions were not written down, but kept by the leaders of Judaism and handed down from Rabbi to Rabbi. By the first century AD, they had taken on greater importance than the written law. They even sprinkled in quotations from the written law, taken out of context and often misquoted, with the intent of giving their oral traditions more importance. This is also true of many of the teachings today in churches across this land and around the world. If you read the gospel accounts very carefully, however, you will see that the thing which Jesus repeatedly confronted the Sadducees and Pharisees about was their adherence to the oral traditions, rather than the written law.

Challenge

“Are you zealous about learning all you can from the teachers in your church, with a strong desire to live what is being taught?” Paul was, and you should be too.

But … “Are you being taught the truths of God’s word, or are you being taught the traditions of men?”

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Galatians 1:13 – Violent Persecution

Posted on July 26, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:13

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

Truth to Learn

Sometimes those who hate Christians the most become vibrant witnesses for faith in Jesus Christ.

Behind the Words

“Conduct” is translated from the Greek noun anastrophē, which is taken from the verb anastrephō. This verb is made up of ana, which means “up” or “again” and strephō, which means “to turn.” Hence, the verb literally means “to turn again” or “to return.” By interpretation, it refers to “moving about in a place” or “dwelling in a place.” Therefore, the noun form, anastrophē, refers to a person’s “manner of living” or “personal conduct.”

The word translated “beyond measure” is huperbolē, which is a compound word made up of huper (or hyper), meaning “over” and a form of ballō, meaning “to throw.” So it literally means, “to throw over” or “to throw beyond.” By interpretation it means “exceedingly much.” This is the word from which we get our English word hyperbole which means to exaggerate.

Meaning Explained

Paul now begins to share a testimony of his early years as a Christian with the believers in Galatia as further evidence that he received not only his calling, but also the gospel message, directly from Christ himself. He will also point out later in this testimony that he personally confronted the apostle Peter and the leaders of the church in Jerusalem because they were trying to impose legalistic practices on the believers.

Paul starts out his testimony with the statement “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism.” Either Paul had shared this testimony with them previously or he knew that others had informed them of his former religious practices. He tells us that when he was a believer in the Jewish faith he persecuted Christians exceedingly as we see in the eighth and ninth chapters of Acts:

As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (Acts 8:3)

Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1, 2)

Paul was one of the most zealous persecutors of the early church. He felt as if it was His calling in life to destroy those who believed in Jesus Christ. Isn’t it amazing how God will take a person who is openly and violently opposed to the gospel message and turns them around to become evangelistically on fire for Him?

Application

Remember Paul’s background the next time you are verbally or physically attacked for sharing the gospel. Instead of getting angry at the one who attacks you, perhaps you should pray that God will touch their heart and use them for His glory.

That’s something to think about, isn’t it?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Galatians 1:12 – Message From God

Posted on July 25, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:12

For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

The gospel message which Paul so faithfully preached came from God, not from man.

Meaning Explained

Paul now informs the Galatian Christians that the truth of the gospel that he has been preaching did not come from another man, he was not taught the gospel by someone else but by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. It is true that Paul learned Judaism from someone else. He was, in fact, a student of the famed Rabbi Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers in Judaism of his day, as he told the Jews in the Temple after being seized there.

I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. (Acts 22:3)

It may be argued that Paul was taught by Ananias who laid his hands on Paul to give him back his sight after having encountered the Lord in the road to Damascus, but there is no scriptural evidence to this. In fact, immediately after Ananias restored Paul’s (Saul’s) sight Ananias said this.

Then he said, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.” (Acts 22:14)

In the same 22^nd chapter of Acts, as Paul continued to testify to the Jews in the Temple, he declared how the Lord spoke directly to him.

Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him saying to me, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.”’

So I said, “Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.”

Then He said to me, “Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:17-20)

Later on in this part of Galatians Paul will explain how he spent several years in Arabia. It was possibly during this time that Christ appeared to him again and taught him the truths that he was to communicate to the world.

The point is that neither did Paul make-up his own gospel message nor did he declare a message taught to him by another man, and he certainly didn’t declare a message from an angel of heaven. Paul proclaimed God’s message to the world and we are to proclaim God’s message to the world today.

Application

Our words and actions declare what we truly believe. What message do others get from you? Is it a worldly message, a message of man, or God’s message?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Galatians 1:11 – A Divine Message

Posted on July 24, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:11

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

Truth to Learn

The gospel truth is not of man or angel, it is divinely given.

Behind the Words

The words “make known” are translated from gnōridzō which is here expressed in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood, indicating present, continuous action. Hence, it could be translated, “I am making known.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has been teaching the Christians of Galatia that they should not be swayed to believe any gospel message if it is different than what Paul and the other apostles taught. The false teachers who had crept into the churches in that region had been teaching that Christians were to keep the requirements of the Law of Moses in order to be truly saved. These teachers very likely had been brought up in the Jewish religion and truly believed that Christianity was simply another sect of Judaism. They may have been quite sincere in their beliefs but Paul says they were sincerely wrong.

Apparently, some even claimed that they had received revelation from angels of heaven regarding the false teachings they were promoting. But back in verse 8 Paul told the Galatians that even if an angel from heaven delivered a different message that what Paul had taught that angelic messenger was to be accursed. Notice, that Paul did not say an angel from God, but an angel from heaven. If you study the Bible carefully you will see that there are good angels (angels from God) and bad angels, or fallen angels, who follow their leader Satan. These are angels from heaven but they are not from God and they are not to be believed.

Paul warned the believers in Corinth about false teachers like this who do not follow the truths of God, but make themselves to be just as authoritative as the apostles of Christ. And he points out that it is not surprising that they present themselves as something other than what they really are, since their leader, Satan, also makes himself appear as an angel of light.

But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:12-14)

In the current verse Paul tells the Galatians that the gospel message that he has preached to them did not come from the mind of man or from an angel. In the following verses he will substantiate this claim and demonstrate that it is a message from Jesus Christ himself. His point is that any good news about salvation which is different from the good news of Christ is not really good news at all. It is deception and we need to guard ourselves from believing that kind of message.

Application

Fewer and fewer churches today have ministers who preach the pure truth of God’s Word. This is partly because fewer and fewer people want to hear the truth. Instead, they want to hear “feel good” messages.

Do you want to hear from God or man?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 1:10 – No Please

Posted on July 23, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:10

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.

Truth to Learn

Our focus in our faith walk should not be to please others, it should be to submit ourselves as God’s slaves.

Behind the Words

The word translated “persuade” is the Greek word peitho which means “to persuade another to receive a belief,” that is, “to convince.” But it can also mean, “to win over, gain the favor of, or make a friend of.” It is this latter sense of the word that I believe Paul was referring to.

“Please” is translated from a form of the Greek word areskō, meaning “to soften one’s heart towards another” or “to please.”

The word translated “still” is eti, meaning “any longer, with regard to time or duration.”

Meaning Explained

This verse is confusing to many, but that confusion may be cleared up by looking at a couple of words, “persuade” and “please”. Paul did indeed put great effort into persuading people to believe the gospel. In fact, when Paul presented his defense against the accusations of the Jews before King Agrippa, the king’s response was,

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)

Paul was very persuasive. Therefore, his intent with the opening sentence of this verse could be to say, “I persuade men, not God,” which is true. But in the following sentence he asks, “do I seek to please men?” Now, to persuade and to please are two different and unrelated actions. But if Paul’s intent in the first sentence is, “Do I try to make friends with men, or with God?” Then the next sentence, “Or do I seek to please men?” becomes a parallel thought, which is the type of reasoning that Paul makes frequent use of. So, we could translate the first part of this verse as “For do I now seek to gain favor with men, or with God? Or do I seek to please men?”

Another key to the understanding of this verse is the fact that Paul says, “do I now …” and “if I still pleased men.” Before Paul’s conversion he was a Pharisee and that’s exactly what he did. As part of his training to be a Pharisee in Judaism Paul put forth a great deal of effort to please and impress men (and to please God). Now that he is a Christian, however, he no longer is trying to please men or God. Instead, he has become a bondservant, that is, a slave, the owned property, of God. Hence, his focus is no longer on pleasing men or God by following man-made rules. Instead, his only objective is submitting his will to his Lord and Master.

Application

Are you still trying to please the people around you, your friends, your parents, members of your church, or God?

If so, your focus is in the wrong place.

Instead, you should be focused entirely on submitting to your Lord and Master!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Galatians 1:9 – The True Gospel Again

Posted on July 22, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:9

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.

Truth to Learn

The gospel message does not change with time. It is the same message today that it was in the first century.

Behind the Words

The word translated “we have said before” is proereō, which is made up of pro, meaning “before” and ereō, meaning “to say or declare.” It is used here in the perfect tense, implying past completed action with present, ongoing effect. It is also expressed here as first person, plural. Hence it could be paraphrased this way: “as we have declared previously and, therefore, you know.”

Let’s review again what the word “gospel” means. It is translated from the Greek word euangelion which is made up of eu meaning “good” or “well” and angelion which means “message” (this comes from the same root as the word angelos translated “angel” meaning “messenger.”) So “gospel” literally means “good message” or “good news.” In the current verse the verb form of this word is used, euangelidzetai which is translated as “preaches the gospel,” whereas it literally means “delivers the good news.”

Meaning Explained

The gospel that Paul and the other apostles have been proclaiming is a simple message of salvation by grace, through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. And apparently Paul and others have previously warned the Galatians not to change or be persuaded to change their beliefs regarding this simple truth. This is evidenced by the fact that Paul says “As we have said before” not “as I have just said before.” He continues on with, “so now I say again.” This is such an important truth that Paul repeats the point about those who pervert the gospel into something other than the simple message it is. Paul’s point is that these who pervert the gospel message are anathema (worthless, discarded, and accursed.)

A very literal translation of this verse would be:

As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone delivers a good message beside what you received, let him be accursed.

These legalizers who had crept into the church, delivered a good message and it was probably delivered eloquently by people of great background and reputation. But it was not the same good message that Paul and other apostles had delivered to them. It included what Paul had taught but it had other things added to it which, according to Paul, was an evil thing for them to do.

Application

When you hear wonderful sermons from preachers in the pulpit, on the radio, or on television telling you the good news of Jesus Christ but their message also includes rules, customs, traditions, or requirements that you must also adhere to, remember what Paul says about them: “let them be accursed!”

God made the gospel message simple for a reason.

Let’s keep it that way!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Galatians 1:8 – The True Gospel

Posted on July 19, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:8

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.

Truth to Learn

The gospel message does not change with time. It is the same message today that it was in the first century.

Behind the Words

The word translated “angel” is angelos which simply means ‘a messenger.’

The Greek word translated “accursed” is anathema. This is a noun taken from the verb anatithemi which means “to place or lay up.” It refers to a gift given by vow, in fulfillment of a promise, and given up or devoted to destruction for God’s sake. It is exemplified by a sacrificial animal that is offered up and killed before God. Hence, it becomes something that has been given over to destruction, and is, therefore, considered accursed.

Meaning Explained

Paul has just commented on the fact that the Galatians have strayed from the truth of the gospel of faith in Jesus Christ. The reason for their departure is that some members of the churches were teaching that salvation by faith was not enough. These false teachers were saying that Christians must keep the Law of Moses and the traditions of the Jewish faith if they want to be truly saved. These teachers were likely former Pharisees and Scribes of the Jewish faith who had been so indoctrinated in the ways of Judaism that they believed they must be carried over into Christianity.

In addition, these teachers were probably aware that Paul still observed some of the rites and traditions of Judaism. For instance, in Acts 21:18-26 Paul was persuaded to pay the offering for, and to be a partaker in, a vow that some of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem had taken. This action is not forbidden in Christianity, but it certainly provided fodder for those who wanted to make Christianity a legalistic religion.

Paul cautions the believers in the Galatian churches not to be persuaded to corrupt the pure gospel of Christ no matter who it was that was teaching. He said, “But even if we,” meaning the Apostles, “or an angel from heaven” tried to teach them any other gospel, then the teacher was to be accursed. But Paul takes special note to point out that even if the message comes via a messenger from heaven we are to reject it if it does not completely agree with what Paul has already taught them.

Application

These are strong words from Paul, but it shows the importance of not adding anything to the truth taught in the Word of God. There are some religions today claiming they have newer revelation than what we have in our Bible, revelation that they received from a special angel. Paul says that those who teach this type of heresy are accursed and we are not to be persuaded by them.

We need to study what Paul and the other apostles teach us so that we will know when someone tries to teach something different. If we know the truth, we can detect deception.

That’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 1:7 – Perverted Gospel

Posted on July 18, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:7

which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Truth to Learn

The gospel (good news) about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ has absolutely nothing to do with obeying rules or laws.

Behind the Words

As in the previous verse, we have the word “another,” but this is translated from a different Greek word. In the current verse it is the word allos, meaning “another of the same kind” whereas in the previous verse it was heteros, meaning “another of a different kind.”

The word translated “pervert” is a form of the Greek word metastrepho. This is made up of meta, denoting “a change of place or condition” and strepho, which means “to turn.” Hence, metastrepho means ‘to turn into something different, usually for the worse.’

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse it was noted that Paul was surprised that the Galatians had turned their allegiance to another gospel. In the current verse he seems to contradict himself by saying that it ‘is not another.’ This confusion is cleared up when we see that he used two different words for “another” in these verses

What he is saying is: “I wonder that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different kind of gospel, which is not simply another way of expressing the gospel we preached to you …”

In fact, Paul goes on to describe this different kind of gospel which they have been tricked into believing. He says that it has been perverted. There were some among the Galatians who wanted to change the simple gospel of Christ into something totally different, and worse. These “legalizers” had brought the Law from Judaism and tried to cram it into the good news about salvation through faith and faith alone. They were insisting that the Christians in the Galatian churches bear the yoke of the Law, which they themselves had not been able to bear.

Anytime you add to the simple gospel you make it something less than what God intended it to be. We are not bound by the rules of the Mosaic Law; we have been set free from the Law.

Here’s how Paul expressed it in Romans chapter 8:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

Challenge

Are you walking according to the flesh, trying to prove your righteousness to God? Or are you walking according to the Spirit, accepting the righteousness that only comes through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 1:6 – A Different Gospel?

Posted on July 17, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:6

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

Truth to Learn

There is only one true gospel message and it is about salvation by grace alone.

Behind the Words

It is interesting to note the tenderness with which Paul deals with this legalistic false teaching that had crept into the church. He starts off this verse with “I marvel.” This is a translation of the Greek word, thaumadzo which means “to wonder.” This is a very mild term which could easily have been replaced with a more forceful and condemning word. Instead, Paul speaks gently to these believers.

The word translated “turning away” is from the Greek metatithesthe which means “to put something in a different place’ or ‘to switch party affiliation.”

There are two different Greek words each of which is translated “another” in the New Testament; allos, meaning “another of the same kind” and heteros, meaning “another of a different kind.” The word used here is heteros, another of a different kind.

Meaning Explained

The basic problem that had occurred in the Galatian churches is that the devout Jewish converts among the churches, perhaps former Pharisees, had been teaching them that the Galatian believers had to obey the Mosaic Law in order to secure their salvation. Paul, on the other hand, had taught them that their salvation and their continuing position in and relationship with God are wholly dependent on God’s grace, apart from the law. Paul will expound further on this as the letter unfolds.

What he is saying, is that these Galatian Christians had left off following the pure gospel message of salvation and righteousness by faith through God’s grace. Iinstead, they were now following a legalistic observance of righteousness.

There has been much discussion through the centuries as to what Paul means by “Him who called you.” Some think it refers to Paul, himself. Others think it refers to Christ. Still others believe that it is a reference to God’s calling of individuals to salvation. This third interpretation seems to make the most sense. Paul claims elsewhere that he is only the messenger and Christ is the satisfaction of our sins whereas God the Father is the one who calls us.

Paul says that the thing to which these Galatian believers had switched their allegiance is “a different gospel.” That is, Paul is claiming that the “gospel” that they are now following, the legalistic rules and regulations that had been added to salvation by grace, was not simply a different interpretation of the true gospel, but it was a different kind of gospel, not following truth at all.

Application

Have you been caught up in church rules and regulations or church traditions that have taken on more importance that the plain truth of the Word? Do you believe what you do about your Christianity because it is what the church has taught you to believe? Or is your faith and relationship with God based solely of what the Bible teaches?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 1:5 – Eternal Glory

Posted on July 16, 2007 by admin

Galatians 1:5

to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Truth to Learn

One day God will receive praise and glory from all of creation, and it will last eternally.

Behind the Words

The word translated “glory” is the Greek word, doxa which is the noun form of the verb dokeo meaning “to think” or “to recognize.” Hence, doxa refers to “the good thoughts and recognition” that someone deservedly receives. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, “the word primarily means thought or opinion, especially favorable human opinion, and thus in a secondary sense reputation, praise, and honor.”

In the current verse, Paul says that glory is to be given to God “forever and ever.” This expression is the translation of the Greek, eis tous aionos ton aionon. The words aionos and aionon refer to a duration or continuation of time. Hence the expression that Paul used here could be translated as “unto the ages of the ages” or “unto the time of time.” The truest meaning in English, though, would be “eternally” or “forever.”

Meaning Explained

In the current verse we have to first ask ourselves who Paul is referring to when he says “to whom.” Is he referring to Jesus Christ, who gave his own blood to pay for our sins, who willingly gave of his perfect life in payment for our imperfect lives? Or is he referring to God the Father, whose will it was that his only begotten son should be sacrificed for us, who laid out the plan of the ages including a way for us, dead in out trespasses and sins, to be reconciled to a perfect, holy, righteous God? It is very likely that Paul is referring both, though from a strict grammatical sense this would refer to God the Father.

One of the supreme examples of God receiving honor and glory is given to us in the book of Revelation. This is a scene from God’s throne room in heaven:

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:9-11)

And, quoting a passage from the prophet Isaiah, Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans:

For it is written, “As I live, says the lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to god.” (Romans 14:11)

Application

If God is some day going to receive our praise for all of time and eternity, because of who He is and what He has done, then we should be practicing daily our giving of this glory to Him who “was and is and is to come.”

Let each one of us give God all the glory and all the praise right now!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –