A rolled papyrus letter, tied and sealed, resting on top of a Roman milestone beside a paved road that crosses a wide open plateau at dawn.

The Book of

Galatians 1

Paul skips the thanks. Churches he founded are drifting from the gospel, and he writes in a hurry.

24 verses≈ 4 min3 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

Where we are

1:1–10No other gospelGrace, not a different messageChapter 1
1:11–2Paul's storyA gospel from God, not from men
3–4Faith, not lawSons of Abraham through faith
5–6Free in ChristWalk by the Spirit, serve in love

Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians

From PaulTo the churches of Galatia

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 1:1–3

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

The churches of Galatia

Galatia was a Roman province on the high plateau of central Asia Minor. Many think Paul wrote to the towns he and Barnabas reached on their first journey: Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. If so, the letter went out to them all: “To the churches of Galatia.”

who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age

Galatians 1:4

No Other Gospel

I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—

which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you

Galatians 1:8

Question

Quick question

Paul is not writing about a small disagreement. Someone has brought the Galatians a message that changes the gospel itself.

Who does Paul say may change the gospel he preached?

Paul Preaches the Gospel

For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Paul

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Paul’s early years

After God called him, Paul did not go up to Jerusalem. He went into Arabia, probably the Nabataean country east and south of Damascus, and later returned to Damascus. “Only after three years” did he visit Jerusalem, for fifteen days with Cephas. Then he went north to “the regions of Syria and Cilicia,” the home country of his birthplace, Tarsus.

Pray

Called by His grace

Paul once “persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.” Yet God “called me by His grace” and revealed His Son in him. Thank God that no one is too far gone for His grace. Pray for someone who seems far from Christ today, and ask God to reveal His Son to them too.

Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.

Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

A lone traveler seen from behind walking a dirt road north through rolling Judean hills at dawn.

I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me.

0:16

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Whose approval?

Paul asks himself, “Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God?” The churches that once feared him ended up praising God “because of me.” Where do you feel the pull to please people more than God? What would it look like this week to live as “a servant of Christ” there?

You’ve experienced

Galatians 1

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A verse to carry with you

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

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