Galatians 1:1-10

Galatians 1:1-10

I.                   Greeting (vv. 1-5)

a.       General Observations

                                                                 i.      Paul could be stating that he is not merely an “apostle”, or one sent out by the church in Antioch

                                                               ii.      The word “apostle” appears 4 times in Galatians, while “gospel” appears 14 times. 

b.      Verse 1

                                                                 i.      Paul’s commission is not from or of men, like those of the agitators from James. 

                                                               ii.      Cf. Amos 7:14-15

                                                             iii.      Cf. with II Cor. 8:23, where ‘apostles’ are commissioned by the churches.  While they are valid apostles, they do not have as much authority as the apostles commissioned by Christ

c.       Verse 2

                                                                 i.      There is no use of “beloved”, or “of God”, nor is there a thanksgiving section.  These omissions speak volumes to the situation of the Galatian church

                                                               ii.      “churches”- the letter is of the circular variety, with the mentioning of churches in the plural possibly supporting a dating shortly after Paul’s first journey through southern Galatia, which seems to be the only time that he set-up multiple churches

d.      Verse 3

                                                                 i.      grace and peace are sequential.  It is God’s granting of grace that brings us peace. 

e.       Verse 5

                                                                 i.      the doxology contrasts with “this present evil age” from V. 4

II.                No Other Gospel (vv. 6-10)

a.       General Observations

                                                                 i.      This section is an exordium, it signals the reader as to what the topic of the epistle will be. 

                                                               ii.      This letter has one sustained purpose, unlike many of Paul’s other letters that cover multiple topics.  Galatians addressed the nature of the true Gospel

b.      Verse 6

                                                                 i.      the “good news” itself is different because of the shift in belief of the Galatians

                                                               ii.      they are leaving someone for something

c.       Verse 7

                                                                 i.      “but”, in reality there is no other gospel. 

d.      Verse 8

                                                                 i.      Setting up his future argument in 3:19 when he states that the Law of Moses was delivered by angels through a human mediator

                                                               ii.      it is the message, not the messenger that makes the gospel

                                                             iii.      “That which does not teach Christ is not apostolic, even if Peter and Paul be the teachers.  On the other hand, that which does teach Christ is apostolic, even if Judas, Annas, Pilate or Herod should propound it.” – Martin Luther

e.       Verse 9

                                                                 i.      Greek word anathema, equivalent to the Hebrew word for “ban”, as when everything from the city of Jericho was put under the “ban”, marked out of destruction by God