20160814 Sunday, August 14 2016
Galatians 01: Unto The Churches Of Galatia

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Paul, an apostle ... And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia"

Galatia was located in the region of what is today north-central Turkey, or "Asia Minor," as it was known in ancient times. The apostle Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is today southeastern Turkey. As such, Paul's missionary journeys (see The Meeting Of Paul And Barnabas and The Ministry Of Paul And Barnabas) began in his native land (see The Return Of The Home Town Apostles), before the LORD (see The Identity Of The LORD God and The LORD God Our Saviour) commanded him to take the same Gospel to Europe (i.e. Greece and Italy; see The Intercontinental Church Of God).

Galatia is also recorded in Paul's later journeys because he traveled through the area to go beyond it (see Paul, The Apostle To The World).

Paul taught the believers of the region of Galatia to become "Christians" (see also Where Believers Were First Called Christians). As such, his epistle to them began with a greeting to "all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia" i.e. it was addressed to more than just one congregation in any one city of Galatia - which also indicates, as we will read, that their "other gospel" problem involved more than just one congregation or any one city.

"1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Galatians 1:1-5 KJV)

There is only one true Gospel (see What Gospel Did Jesus Preach?) - that the LORD God was born as Jesus Christ to be Sacrificed as the atonement for the sins of humanity (see The Christian Day Of Atonement: Past, Present and Future) and that He is going to return to establish the eternal Kingdom of God on Earth (see The Only Political Party That's Going To Survive and The Patriotism Prophecy).

Some people ("there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ"; see also 2 Peter: 'The Servants Of Corruption Promise Liberty') had begun to mislead the churches of Galatia into drifting away from the light of the true Gospel. Paul's admonition and warning was as much to the misleaders as it was to the misled: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

"1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-10 KJV)

Paul was a servant of the LORD; he was not a liberal/rebel philosopher. His credentials was the Word of God that the LORD gave him to speak. Paul was a representative of the LORD, not of himself - which is the true meaning of "apostle" (see the Fact Finder question below).

"1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 1:24 And they glorified God in me." (Galatians 1:11-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: Which happens first - disciple or apostle?
See Disciples, Ministers, Apostles, Prophets