Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Galatians 1
Galatians 1:10For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Paul makes it clear that his primary goal is to please God rather than seeking the applause or approval of people. He realizes that being a true servant of Christ often means standing for the truth even when it is unpopular.Galatians 1:15-16But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
These verses highlight that God had a plan for Paul even before he was born, showing that our calling is based on God's grace rather than our own efforts. Paul’s mission was specifically to share the message of Jesus with people who were not Jewish.Galatians 1:23They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
This verse captures the incredible turnaround in Paul's life, moving from someone who tried to destroy the church to someone who built it up. It serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's transforming power.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Divine Appointment and an Urgent Warning
Paul opens his letter with an unusually intense tone because the believers in Galatia are being confused by false teachers. These teachers were suggesting that faith in Jesus wasn't enough and that people needed to follow old religious laws to be right with God. Paul skips his usual friendly greetings to immediately defend his credentials as an apostle, which is a special messenger sent directly by Jesus. He emphasizes that his authority didn't come from a committee or a human school, but from a direct appointment by the risen Christ.
From Persecutor to Preacher
To prove that his message is authentic, Paul takes the readers through his personal history, starting with his life before he met Jesus. He was once a top-tier religious leader who violently persecuted Christians, showing that he had no natural reason to join the movement he was trying to destroy. His sudden change wasn't the result of being convinced by other people, but because God revealed His Son to him. This personal testimony serves as the foundation for his argument that the gospel he preaches is the absolute truth from heaven.
Paul's Defense of the True Gospel
In Galatians 1:1-24, Paul sets the stage for his entire letter by establishing his authority and expressing his shock at the Galatians' spiritual drift. He moves from a formal greeting to a sharp rebuke, eventually sharing his own life story to show that God is the one behind his ministry.
The Source of Authority (Galatians 1:1-5)
1 Paul, an apostle - not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead -
2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Commentary:
Paul establishes that his authority comes from God and reminds us that Jesus died to rescue us.
No Other Gospel (Galatians 1:6-10)
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.
7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Commentary:
Paul warns that any message adding to the gospel of grace is false and dangerous.
A Message Received by Revelation (Galatians 1:11-17)
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.
12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Commentary:
Paul proves his message is divine by showing how God personally called and changed him.
The Evidence of a Changed Life (Galatians 1:18-24)
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)
21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
24 And they glorified God because of me.
Commentary:
Paul’s reputation as a changed man brought glory to God even among people who had never met him.
The Unchanging Truth of God's Grace
The Purity of the Gospel
Paul teaches that the gospel is a specific, unchanging message that cannot be mixed with human effort or legal requirements. To add anything to the work of Jesus is to lose the gospel entirely, as it shifts the focus from God's grace to our own performance.
Divine Calling and Purpose
The chapter reveals that God has a purpose for individuals even before they are born, as seen in Paul's life. Our role in God's kingdom is determined by His grace and timing, rather than our own qualifications or social standing.
The Power of a Testimony
Paul’s radical shift from a persecutor to a preacher shows that no one is too far gone for God to reach. A transformed life serves as one of the most powerful proofs that the gospel is real and effective.
Applying Paul's Defense to Our Daily Walk
In verse 10, Paul reminds you that you cannot be a true servant of Christ if your main goal is human approval. When you must choose, ask if you are compromising truth to fit in, and remember that God's approval matters more than any applause.
According to verses 6-7, a different gospel is anything that makes you feel like you have to earn God's love through your own hard work. If you think God loves you only when you're good, you're drifting from Paul's teaching on grace. Remember that Jesus has already done the heavy lifting.
Paul’s story in verses 13-24 proves that your past, no matter how messy, does not stop God from using you. In fact, your transformation can become a way for others to see God's power, turning your greatest regrets into a reason for others to give glory to Him.
The Gospel is God's Unfiltered Truth
Paul begins this letter with the bold declaration that the good news of Jesus is not a human invention. In Christ, God has acted to rescue us from a broken world, and this message requires no human additions or improvements. The message is both exclusive and inclusive: there is only one true gospel, yet it is powerful enough to transform even the most hardened heart. Paul’s own life stands as proof that when God reveals His Son in us, our entire identity and purpose are rewritten by His grace.
What This Means for Us Today
Faith is a response to the God who calls us by His grace. Just as Paul was set apart for a specific purpose, God invites us to stop trying to earn His favor and instead rest in the finished work of Jesus. Galatians 1 calls us to examine whose approval we are seeking and to stand firm in the simple, powerful truth of the gospel.
- Are there areas where you are trying to 'add' to what Jesus has already done?
- Whose approval are you most worried about right now, and how does that affect your faith?
- How can you share the story of what God has done in your life to encourage someone else this week?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Paul continues his story, explaining how he stood up for the truth of the gospel even when other leaders were under pressure.
Connections Across Scripture
This chapter provides the historical account of Paul's dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.
A clear summary of the gospel of grace that Paul defends so fiercely in Galatians.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Paul was so 'astonished' that the Galatians were turning away from the gospel so quickly?
- Paul says he didn't consult with anyone after his conversion. Why was it important for him to establish that his message didn't come from other people?
- How does the story of Paul's radical change from a persecutor to a preacher encourage you in your own faith journey?
Glossary
places
Galatia
A region in central Asia Minor where Paul established several churches during his missionary journeys.
Arabia
The desert region where Paul went for a period of time shortly after his conversion to be alone with God.
Damascus
The city Paul was traveling toward when he had his life-changing encounter with Jesus.