Galatians 1

In chapter one Paul anxiously begins to debate his case combating Judaizers (people who require keeping the laws of the OT despite Jesus Christ’s fulfillment of them).  Paul who is  words even though in form of a letter is still able to convey the pain in which he writes the Galatian Christians.  He has done a work among them and sacrificed a great deal to bring the news of Jesus’ redemption to them only to hear of some of them being influenced by Judaizer’s preaching of “the gospel” (v6).   Yet Paul calls this gospel a perversion of the real thing (v7), it is a cursed gospel preach by accursed messengers (v9).  This is what Paul intends to settle in these six chapters, and all the while reveal what defines the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how to weed out perversions.

Even more painful to Paul is apparently some Judiazers succeeded in convincing Paul’s converts that Paul is a bit of a flatterer bent on winning to himself for some personal gain (v10).  So as we read through Paul’s letter, we will find a defense of Paul’s calling to apostleship and authority.  But Paul is wise to not allow his defense of the Gospel become merely a response to personal defamation.  As a servant to of Christ, he is compelled to please God in all things (v11).  I contemplate for a moment to ease of laying down one’s cross after taking it up.  How is it is to be wooed by the flesh and as a result cease to become Christ’s servant in those selfish moments.  Complaining, self-centeredness, and entitlement are often the culprits who pervert the gospel we preach with our behavior.

But Paul’s actions do not pervert the Gospel, he is careful to not allow any such action threaten pure motives behind the Gospel.  He says as it pleased God to separate him for service, so his intention for preaching the Gospel is to please God and not people (v11 cf 15).  To prove his point, Paul explains how he went immediately into service according to the apostleship the Lord gave him and did not look for confirmation from other apostles (v16-17). The Gospel he preached in this way had indeed originated from Christ, such is the requirement of any who call themselves apostles claiming to have such authority in Christ’s church.  This is how Paul begins his argument.

It is important to know the Gospel we believe is not a work of man.  Because the Gospel itself claims to be the only authoritative way men’s lives might be redeemed from sin and death.  The authority comes from heaven, far above men’s reach and ability to investigate.  The Gospel is primary revelation of what God is doing to save His people through His Son Jesus Christ.  Therefore, there is not a man alive who is qualified to claim ownership of this knowledge.  It remains revelation that is given from God alone.  But Paul is setting up the trajectory of his argument: these perversion of the gospel are man made, mimicking in words but lacking in God’s power.  Thus we may see one obvious way to differentiate the true from the false.  Only the true Gospel manifests God’s power.