• Galatians 1:1-10

• Introduction

• Author: Without question, Paul

• Date: 48-49 ad. or 55-58 ad. - probably one of the earliest books in the NT.

• Recipients: Churches in the Southern region of Galatia. - probably the churches in the cities of Lystra, Derbe, Iconium & others.

• Purpose: To obviate the false gospel and accusations of the Judaizers.

• Primary Theme: Justification by faith alone.

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 brethren who are with me,

• As is customary, Paul states that he is an Apostle. An apostle is one who is sent out by someone else. The apostle has all of the authority that is given to him by the sender but can never have more than the sender. It appears that Paul is defending his position as a valid Apostle because he was not sent out by men but rather by Christ.

• A very common tactic when trying to win an argument is to attempt to discredit the opponent. It is clear that the Judaizers had used this method of attack and were spreading doubts about the creditability of Paul's authority and doctrine.

To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 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, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

• It is clear that Paul's intent was that this letter would be passed around among the churches in the region.

• Grace and peace come from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. With this in mind, note where it doesn't come from.

• Notice that as strongly as Paul states the fact that Christ gave Himself for our sins, he also states that Christ's death was for a purpose; it accomplished something and that something was according to the will of the Father. Christ accomplished the deliverance of the Saints. He didn't simply inform us of how we could be saved as though the ball were now somehow in our court. Instead He reached down into a crowd of evil and pulled us from it. He didn't just provide an open door; He entered and dragged us out.

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. 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. 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. (NKJV)

• Paul immediately starts into his rebuke of these churches by using some of the most forceful language in scripture. He rebukes them for falling for the false Gospel of the Judaizers (my how intolerant of Paul!). Heretics know that if you attack the major principles of Christianity that their falsehood will be easily identified. Therefore heresy must be subtle and deceptive in order for people to receive it. The goal of this deception is to overturn the Gospel. Truth is greater than the servants of the Truth.

• Paul understands the difference between what the church needs to hear and what they want to hear.