2. In the introduction last Wednesday night, we were looking that Paul established many church in the region of Galatia.
How many churches in total?
We don’t know, but in the Bible we find many.
Paul is getting ready to explain to the Galatians that going back to the Law of Moses will profit nothing.
Jesus and His Grace is what we follow today, and it was what they (the Galatians) were following too.
Some came from Jerusalem teaching “new things”, “New Doctrines”, and this is what Paul is going to confront and debate next!

4. Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
Galatians 1:1 (NKJV)
1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
Paul found himself defending his apostleship among the Corinthians often (cf. I Cor. 9:1-2; II Cor. 11:4-5; 12:11-13)
Not from man means, that he is not appointed by men, nor does he have any diplomas by man.
Paul is saying that in order to a be servant of God, we do not need any titles or a diplomas issued by man, those titles elevates the ego, but does not train and teach the heart.
Paul was not made an apostle by Peter, James or any other apostle. Galatians 1:11-12; Gal 1:17
Who made him an apostle?
Jesus and The Father. Acts 9:5; 22:14; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8

5. Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
Galatians 1:2 (NKJV) 2  and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
All the brethren who are with me, who are those? Acts 20:4.
Faithful brethren that were always accompanying Paul in his trips, very dedicated.
To the churches of Galatia.
We read about the establishments of these churches in Acts 13, 14 (churches in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe etc.

6. Galatians 1:3 (NKJV) 3  Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
God’s grace is directly associated with the gospel message of truth (cf. Titus 2:11-12).
Peace with God would come to the Galatians through their obedience to His will.
When one is forgiven of his sins, he is in fellowship with God and thereby in peace with Him (I Jn. 1:5-6).
Starting at verse 6 Paul denounce very strong the infidelity of some Galatians, but that doesn't stop him for giving thanks for their faith 1 Thes 1:3; Rom 1:8 etc.
That doesn't stop him for sending greeting wishing that God can see them with favor and compassion. Jn 14:27; Phil 4:7.
Remember all, that, “to you” from Paul.

7. Galatians 1:4 (NKJV) 4  who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
Grace and peace came to the Galatians only through the Savior’s sacrifice on the cross for the remission of our sins.
Blood would be the only means whereby men could be saved from sin (cf. Heb. 9:22).
Christ’s blood has the power to forgive the sins of every man, that ever has, or ever will live on this earth.
God’s will is that all would be delivered from the bondage of sin (II Pet. 3:9).

8. Galatians 1:5 (NKJV) 5  to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Paul’s Salutations to the Galatians (1:1-5):
Paul then broke out in a doxology of praise to Jehovah God when considering the salvation that is available through Christ.
Interestingly, Paul began this epistle with the idea of the forgiveness of sins coming through Christ and His teaching alone.
Throughout this study we will see that the Galatians had been persuaded to seek salvation by means of a mixture of Mosaic Law and Law of Christ.
Paul’s aim in this epistle was to convince the Galatians that salvation is in no other doctrine than that which Christ delivered to the apostles and prophets.

9. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:6 (NKJV) 6  I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Paul quickly goes to the reason of why he was writing this letter.
He “marvel(ed)” (thaumazo) that the Galatians had fallen for another teaching.
To “marvel” is to “be astonished, to look on with wonder and amazement, to wonder at; marvel”
Paul was not marveling over the Galatians’ faith but rather expressing amazement and shock that they had so “quickly” turned away from the teachings of Christ that he had established them in (cf. Acts 14:21-22).
Apparently according to Paul that move from the truth to the error that was so soon. He calls it “so soon”.
Can brothers move from the truth so soon, so quickly!

10. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:6 (NKJV) 6  I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
The gospel message calls and “he that called you in the grace of Christ” it can be none other than the Lord.
Paul told the Thessalonian brethren that it was God that called them “through our gospel” (II Thess. 2:14).
When a brother or a sister is about to walk away from the truth, then we need to remind them that the call came from God, and that they need to honor that call.
Moving to something different is not going to give us eternal life, we are going to loose the prize if we entertain any thoughts of moving away from the Lord.

11. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:6 (NKJV) 6  I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
The Galatian brethren had quickly “removed” themselves from God’s gospel message “unto a different gospel” (heteros).
The word heteros = “other than usual, different... other than should be... in another or a different way”
The “gospel” message they now followed was ‘different’ than the gospel message they had learned from Paul.
A contrast is set between the “gospel of Christ” and a “different gospel.”
What was the cause of the Galatians’ shift in faith?
When we stop preaching the truth, then we are preaching something different.
When we stop admonishing our brethren to be faithful to God the we are preaching something different.

12. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:7 (NKJV) 7  which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Paul tells us that there were some who had “troubled” the Galatians by “perverting the gospel of Christ.”
To “trouble” (tarasso) = “to trouble the mind, confound, agitate, disturb, disquiet... to cause confusion”.
Note that teaching that contradicts the truth ‘troubles the mind and causes confusion’.
When men today bring in different doctrines into the church such as instrumental music, social Gospel, women teaching, carwash to collect money, speaking in tongues, etc… they troubled the church and cause division among the members… They all, will be judge for that!

13. Galatians 1:7 (NKJV) 7  which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Not only did men speak troubling words, but in the process they “perverted” the gospel of Christ.
To “pervert” (metastrepho) = “to turn about, turn round... to pervert, change, alter”
Clearly, false teachers had preached a doctrine that contradicted the teachings of Christ, and its consequences were that the Galatians were ‘confused’ and ‘turned around’ regarding truth.

14. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:7 (NKJV) 7  which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
The words indicate that the Galatians were left grasping for teachings to believe.
They were not strong in the faith and allowed perverted teachings to confuse and turn them around.
Paul set out to establish truth in their minds so that they would understand that there was no other set of instructions that are to be adhered to but the inspired teachings of Jesus Christ (cf. Eph. 4:14).

15. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:8 (NKJV)
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.
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
These verses demand that the Galatians and all others test the teachings of all men. (1 Tim 4:1-3)
To test there must be a standard to measure the teachings (I Jn. 4:1ff).
The standard is God’s divine revelation.
How then could the Galatians determine what was divine revelation and what was a perverted gospel?
They could make their determination the same way we can today.
The teachings of the apostles had to be separated from all other teachings of men.

16. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:8 (NKJV)
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.
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Those who taught a different gospel were to be viewed as an “anathema” i.e., “curse; anything devoted to evil”.
They were cursed because their doctrine brought a curse upon the adherent and caused them to be destroyed
Jeremiah recorded God’s thoughts of the false prophets of his day saying, (Jer. 23:32).
These teachers are cursed because they cause God’s people to err, be troubled, and be removed from the gospel of truth.
God is “against” all such troubling teachers.

17. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
Galatians 1:9 (NKJV)
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.
The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
The standard is set for divine inspiration, and the separation must be identified by the saint lest he be troubled and removed from truth.
One may ask why the Mormon church and Islam are so popular today.
Both of these religions lay claims to an angel telling one man a revelation that contradicts our Bibles, and many are being ‘troubled’ and ‘confused’ due to not being grounded in the truth.

18. A Perverted Gospel Is No Gospel At All
Some were preaching a different gospel - (Salvation through Jesus & the law of Moses)
Not really another gospel because there is only one gospel

19. A Perverted Gospel Is No Gospel At All
1st preached by Peter (Ac 2:14-42)
Included belief in Jesus as Lord and Christ
Included repentance & baptism for forgiveness of sins
Resulted in salvation
Resulted in a changed and obedient lifestyle

20. The Source of Paul’s Gospel Message (1:6-10):
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.
- His strong condemnation of those who were perverting the gospel in verses eight and nine demonstrates he wasn't a man-pleaser.
No one speaks this way when he is seeking the favor of men.
The Galatians probably didn't like Paul's strong language and Paul uses this to show he wasn't pleasing men.
"For if I still please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." –
Paul had deep regard for the souls of men, but His main objective was to serve Christ.
When anyone puts pleasing men above pleasing Christ, he gives up his relation to Christ.

21. “The Source of the Gospel Taught By Paul” - (Gal. 1:11-2:10)
This Section Is A Defense of Paul’s Authority (1:11-2:21)
By deduction we can infer that Paul was being charged of
Preaching a man made gospel
Not having apostolic approval for what he taught.
Not being recognized as an apostle by the other apostles.
His authority being inferior to that of the other apostles in Jerusalem.

22. His message came directly from Jesus Christ
Galatians 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul “certified” or makes known that the gospel he preached did not originate with any man –
Not according to man i.e., not after the manner of, not agreeable with, not from the will of - cf 1 Cor 2:9; 2 Peter 1:20,21
He personally did not receive what he taught from any man - 1 Cor. 2:10-13
His message came directly from Jesus Christ
On the way to Damascus and after his conversion (Acts 26:13-18).
There were successive revelations (2 Cor 11:23; 12:1).

23. Paul’s life before his conversion -
Galatians 1:13 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.
Paul’s life before his conversion -
Persecuted the church beyond measure, trying to destroy it –
Acts 9:21; 22:4; 26: etc.

24. He was also zealous to advance as a Pharisee in Judaism –
Galatians 1:14 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.
He was also zealous to advance as a Pharisee in Judaism –
Acts 22:3; 26:5-9; Phili 3:4-6
Therefore who could accuse Paul of not being acquainted with the teachings of Judaism when he knew them better than the Judaizers?

25. Galatians 1:15 (NKJV) 15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
Paul shows that his separation and call were not from man.
He relates his call to further demonstrate that he received his revelation from Jesus Christ.
In others words, he appeals to his conversion to show that he was not a man's apostle, nor even an apostles' apostle, but a true apostle of God.

26. "Who separated me from my mother's womb"
Galatians 1:15 15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
"Who separated me from my mother's womb"
Paul had no part in his separation and call.
He could not have fitted or qualified himself for his work since God had chosen him from his birth.
There were others who had been called from birth to their God-given work.
Isaiah. Isa. 49:1; Jeremiah. Jer. 1:5; John the Baptist. Luke 1:11-17
Paul's predestination to the office of an apostle is entirely different from predestination to salvation.
He nowhere affirms he was predestinated to salvation, but indicated the opposite. 1 Cor. 9:27

27. "Through His grace" - God called him through His grace.
Galatians 1:15 (NKJV) 15  But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,
"Through His grace"
- God called him through His grace.
Paul was chosen that he might be used as an example. 1 Tim. 1:16
Application: We, too, are called through God's grace. 2 Tim. 1:9
We should walk worthy of our call. Eph. 4:1

28. "To reveal His Son in me" - God had a purpose for choosing Paul.
Galatians 1:16 16  to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood,
"To reveal His Son in me" - God had a purpose for choosing Paul.
"That I might preach Him among the Gentiles" - Paul was commissioned (mainly) to take the gospel to the uncircumcision.
The Lord said to Ananias, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." Acts 9:15
When the Lord told Paul to leave Jerusalem, He said, "Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles." Acts 22:21
"I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood" - He did not go into conference with men; thus, showing that he derived nothing from men.
He did not learn his gospel from men, nor was he taught it by men. Gal. 1:12

30. Some Judaizers have come and started to teach different things.
A couple of Wednesday ago, we mentioned that Paul is talking to a church that is being bombarded with different doctrines.
Some Judaizers have come and started to teach different things.
Verses 1-5 Paul says:
I am not an Apostle made by man.
Greetings to all my brethren who are in Galatia.
Grace and Peace to you. (Gift from God, Jesus is the only source of peace, anything else is fake)
He died for all of us, to redeem us, to forgive us.
Glory and Honor belong to God and His Son.

31. A couple of Wednesday ago, we mentioned that Paul is talking to a church that is being bombarded with different doctrines.
Some Judaizers have come and start teaching different things.
Verses 6-9 Paul says:
I marvel that you are turning away so soon to follow a different gospel!
Reality is that there is NO other gospel. Rom 16:16
But if we, (Paul, Peter, James etc.) Preach another Gospel. ACCURSED!
Even if an Angel comes with another gospel (let him be ACCURSED)

32. A couple of Wednesday ago, we mentioned that Paul is talking to a church that is being bombarded with different doctrines.
Some Judaizers have come and start teaching different things.
Verses Paul says:
Am I pleasing men or God? If I please men, I am wasting my time then! Christians are not men’s pleasers.
The gospel that I am preaching is NOT according to men
All I learned came by REVELATION. Right?
My conduct in Judaism was very tough, I was killing Christians and also persecuting the church Acts 8.
I was way better that any of my contemporaries.
Then God showed mercy to me, from my mother’s womb!
He revealed His Son to me, in order to preach to the Gentiles.

33. We know nothing concerning Paul's trip into Arabia.
Galatians 1:17 17  nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Paul did not go to Jerusalem, as might have been expected, if indeed he had received a commission from the apostles and elders.
Instead of going to Jerusalem, Paul went to Arabia and returned back to Damascus.
We know nothing concerning Paul's trip into Arabia.

34. Galatians 1:18 (NKJV) 18  Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.
His purpose of this visit was to become acquainted with Peter who, of course, was prominent and well known among the early Christians.
"And remained with him fifteen days.“
Fifteen days was hardly enough time to receive his knowledge of the gospel if, indeed, he had received it from those at Jerusalem.
We learn from the book of Acts that Paul was not occupied in learning the gospel, but was busy preaching it. Acts 9:29-30

35. Galatians 1:19 19  But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
Some regard this as a contradiction to Luke's words, "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles." Acts 9:27
It has been suggested that two separate trips might be under consideration, yet both accounts seem to refer to Paul's first visit to Jerusalem after becoming a Christian, and his departure to other regions after it.
We learn from Paul's statement that he saw only two of the prominent men at that time.
Since this event occurred several years after Pentecost, most of the apostles, no doubt, were already scattered to various places in their preaching.
Luke's writings were more concerned with the development of the church than with the details of Paul's personal life.

36. Galatians 1:19 19  But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
"Except James, the Lord's brother" – Another possible translation: "But I saw none of the other apostles but only James, the Lord's brother."
It is possible that this James, the physical brother of Jesus, came to hold such a prominent place in the Lord's church that he is here styled as an apostle along with Peter.
James, "the elder," son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the twelve, and was martyred under Herod Agrippa in about 44 A.D. Acts 12:1-2
James, "the younger" or "the less," son of Alphaeus, was also an apostle. Matt. 10:1-4
Though they did not believe at first (John 7:5), the brothers of Jesus later became prominent disciples. Acts 1:14; 1 Cor. 9:5
James, "the Lord's brother," mentioned above, is probably the author of the book of James, and Jude, another of the Lord's brothers, was probably the author of Jude.

37. Galatians 1:20 (NKJV) 20  (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
"Before God, I do not lie."
- In view of the accounting he must give before God, he is affirming that the things he writes (concerning himself, the gospel, etc.) are true.
The gravity of the situation (regarding the divine source of his gospel) warrants Paul's serious affirmation.
There is nothing in Paul's early personal life or ministry which indicate human source or authorization of the gospel which he preached.

38. Tarsus of Cilicia was Paul's home town. Acts 21:3
Galatians 1:21 (NKJV) 21  Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
It was in Antioch of Syria that Paul had begun his notable ministry in companionship with Barnabas. Acts 11:25-26
Tarsus of Cilicia was Paul's home town. Acts 21:3
After visiting Jerusalem for only a short time, a time far to brief to learn the gospel if, indeed, he had learned it from man, he went preaching in places far distant from Jerusalem.

39. "The churches of Judea which are in Christ."
Galatians 1:22 (NKJV) 22  And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.
At this point, according to Paul no one in Judea knew his face yet.
"The churches of Judea which are in Christ."
- Not only are individuals spoken of as being "in Christ," but local churches are as well.
Local congregations have their identity (acceptance by the Lord) just as individuals.
The candlestick of a local church can be removed. Rev. 2:5

40. Galatians 1:23 (NKJV) 23  But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy."
Paul was unknown to the churches of Judea, but they had heard about him.
Imagine their reaction when they heard that Paul the persecutor had become a Christian!
So, is it possible for a very, very, very sinful man (the way we classify sin) to become a good, good Christian?

41. Galatians 1:24 (NKJV) 24 And they glorified God in me.
They gave thanks and glory to God that the persecutor was now preaching the gospel.
Application:
Let us live in such a way as to cause others to glorify God because of us.