Wiersbe Barclay
"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To understand the divine origin of Paul's apostleship
2) To appreciate the danger of twisting the gospel of Christ
SUMMARY
Paul begins his letter to the churches of Galatia immediately
addressing a key issue of the epistle: that he is an apostle "not from
men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ..." (Gal 1:1). Joined by
unnamed brethren, he sends grace and peace from God and Christ, making
reference to the deliverance made possible by Jesus' death for our sins
in keeping with God's will (Gal 1:2-4). This in turns leads to a short
doxology (Gal 1:5).
Without any thanksgiving or prayer for his recipients as found in other
epistles, Paul expresses his amazement that they are so soon turning to
a different gospel being offered by those who wish to pervert the
gospel of Christ (Gal 1:6-7). This is followed by a condemnation repeated
for emphasis of anyone, even an apostle or angel, who would preach a
different gospel than they had already received (Gal 1:8-9). Strong words,
yes, but as a servant of Christ Paul is seeking to please God, not man
(Gal 1:10).
The gospel preached by Paul was being twisted by those who challenged
his authority as an apostle. Therefore Paul proceeds to defend both
the gospel and his apostleship by stressing that his gospel was by
revelation, and not from man (Gal 1:11-12). As evidence, Paul relates his
conduct prior to his conversion, and how by the grace of God he was
called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Gal 1:13-14). That his gospel
was not from man is supported by the scarcity of opportunities he had
to be around Peter or the other apostles (Gal 1:15-20). In the early years
after his conversion, most of his time was spent in Syria and Cilicia,
with the churches of Judea knowing Paul only by what they heard. And
what they heard led them to glorify God (Gal 1:21-24)!
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (Gal 1:1-10)
A. SALUTATION (Gal 1:1-5)
1. From Paul, an apostle, and those with him, to the churches of
Galatia (Gal 1:1-2)
2. With a desire for them to have grace and peace from God and
Jesus (Gal 1:3)
3. With mention of Christ's sacrifice for our sins, designed to
deliver us from this evil age, in keeping with God's will, to
Whom be glory forever (Gal 1:4-5)
B. REASON FOR THE LETTER (Gal 1:6-10)
1. He is amazed that they are turning from the One who called
them in the grace of Christ, to a different and perverted
gospel (Gal 1:6-7)
2. A repeated condemnation against anyone (man, apostle, or
angel) who would preach a different gospel than what they had
already received (Gal 1:8-9)
3. Strong words, yes, but coming from one who seeks to serve
Christ, not man (Gal 1:10)
II. PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTLESHIP (Gal 1:11-24)
A. THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF HIS GOSPEL (Gal 1:11-17)
1. His gospel was not according to man, or from man, but directly
from Jesus Christ (Gal 1:11-12)
2. A review of his conduct in Judaism prior to conversion (Gal 1:13-14)
3. Upon his conversion, an act of Divine revelation itself, he
did not confer with man, especially the apostles in Jerusalem
(Gal 1:15-17)
4. But went to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus (Gal 1:17)
B. HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER APOSTLES (Gal 1:18-24)
1. After three years he went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and only
then for fifteen days (Gal 1;18)
a. He saw none of the other apostles, except James, the Lord's
brother (Gal 1:19)
b. With a solemn declaration he affirms these things to be
true (Gal 1:20)
2. Then he went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21)
a. Remaining unknown by face to the churches of Judea (Gal 1:22)
b. They heard only of his preaching brought about by his
conversion, and they glorified God in him (Gal 1:23-24)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (Gal 1:1-10)
- Paul's defense of his apostleship (Gal 1:11-24)
2) In identifying himself as an apostle, what point does Paul stress? (Gal 1:1)
- It was not from men nor through man
- But through Jesus Christ and God the Father
3) To whom is this epistle written? (Gal 1:2)
- To the churches of Galatia
4) Why did Jesus give Himself for our sins? (Gal 1:4)
- That He might deliver us from this present evil age
5) Why did Paul marvel? (Gal 1:6)
- That the Galatians were turning away so soon from God to a
different gospel
6) What were those who were troubling them actually doing? (Gal 1:7)
- Seeking to pervert the gospel of Christ
7) What does Paul say of those who would preach a different gospel? (Gal 1:8-9)
- Let them be accursed
8) Who was Paul seeking to please? Why? (Gal 1:10)
- God, not man
- Otherwise he would not be a servant of Christ
9) What does Paul stress about the gospel he preached? (Gal 1:11-12)
- It is not according to man (neither received from man, nor was
taught it)
- It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ
10) What did Paul remind them concerning his former conduct in Judaism? (Gal 1:13-14)
- How he persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it
- How he advanced in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries
11) Why did God call Paul and reveal His Son in him? (Gal 1:15-16)
- To preach Christ among the Gentiles
12) Where did Paul NOT go after his conversion? (Gal 1:17)
- To Jerusalem and the apostles who were there
13) How long was it before Paul saw any of the apostles in Jerusalem?
Which ones did he see? (Gal 1:18-19)
- Three years
- Peter, and James, the Lord's brother
14) Where did he go then? (Gal 1:21)
- The regions of Syria and Cilicia
15) What three things are said about Paul's connection with the
churches of Judea? (Gal 1:22-24)
- He was unknown by face to them
- They were only hearing about his preaching
- They glorified God because of Paul
Chapter I -- Paul's Apostleship of God, Not of Men
Summary--Greetings. Paul's Wonder That the Galatians had Swerved from the Gospel They Had Received. Anathemas on Those Who Preach Another Gospel. The Gospel Communicated to Paul by Christ Himself. Paul's Early Life. A Persecutor. Christ Revealed. Goes Not Then to Jerusalem. After Three Years, Abode With Peter Fifteen Days. Then Preached in Cilicia.
1-5. Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man. This verse is the text of the first two chapters. In the Introduction I have pointed out that this Epistle was written on account of the disturbance made among the churches of Galatia by false teachers. These teachers sought to prepare a way for their doctrines by discrediting Paul. If they admitted that he was an apostle at all, they claimed that he was inferior to Peter and the Twelve; that he had received his gospel from them, and hence all must look to Jerusalem for the true gospel. Hence Paul here begins by declaring that his apostleship is not from man, but directly from Christ. The other apostles did not convert, choose, or appoint him, but Christ came from heaven to commission him.
2. And all the brethren which are with me. His fellow-laborers, such as Timothy, Titus, Silas, Luke, etc., some of whom at least were with him at this time. The word “all” implies that a number were with him. Unto the churches of Galatia. The inference from the language is that there were a considerable number scattered through the province.
3. Grace... and peace. The salutation is a benediction, a petition that the blessings of Father and Son may be bestowed upon them.
4. Who gave himself for our sins. The name of Christ causes the utterance of a grand truth, of which the heart of Paul was always full, and which needed at this time to be impressed on the Galatian brethren. It was not Moses, but Christ who gave himself for them. This present evil world. The existing state of things, where sin and death reign.
5. To whom be glory. This doxology is an indirect rebuke to those who were exalting Moses to share the glory of Christ.
6-10. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you. Paul abruptly springs into the midst of his subject. With the fickleness of their race, they had so soon swerved from “him that called” them. The analogy of Paul's language (compare Gal 1:15; 1 Cor 1:9; Rom 8:30) would show that he refers to God. The call was a divine one. Paul was only the instrument that God used. Into the grace of Christ. The gospel privileges. Called into these, they had “removed” unto another gospel, one of a different kind, not worthy of the name.
7. Which is not another. Is not a gospel at all, but only a perversion of the only gospel of Christ, due to false teachers.
8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, etc. He supposes an impossibility in order to make his statement emphatic. These false teachers said, “Our gospel is of Peter, or of James.” Paul replies, “Even though they, or we, or even an angel, preach another gospel, let him be accursed.” He who corrupts divine truth is an enemy of God, and is under the curse. Accursed. Anathema; given over to the judgments of God. See 1 Cor 16:22.
9. As we said before. This refers, it is generally supposed, to Paul's last visit to Galatia, mentioned in Acts 18:23, at which time he had warned the brethren against the Judaizers. The strong language shows how great a sin it is to pervert the gospel or Bible truth.
10. For do I now persuade men, etc. Is this his motive, or to please God? If he sought to please men, he would never have become the servant of Christ. By so doing he had displeased all his own nation and brought on himself the hatred of men. See 2 Cor 11:23.
11, 12. The gospel which was preached by me is not after to man. It is not preached to please man, nor is it of human origin.
12. For I neither received it of man, etc. It could not be of man, for it did not come to him from man. No preacher or apostle taught it to him, but it came by a direct revelation of Christ. The first revelation was on the way to Damascus (Acts 26:13-18). There were no doubt successive revelations (2 Cor 12:1).
13, 14. Ye have heard of my manner of life. While he was still a Jew. In order to show that his gospel did not come from man, he cites his history, of which they knew something. I persecuted the church of God. See Acts 9:21. He made a determined effort to destroy Christianity. Compare Acts 22:4; Acts 26:10-11.
14. Profited in the Jews' religion. Made progress in it. He was a Pharisee, was well educated, exceedingly zealous, and reached a high degree. Traditions of my fathers. Not only the law of Moses, but the traditions handed down which were taught so assiduously. See Matt 15:2; Mark 7:3; Mark 7:13. Our Lord condemned these Jewish traditions.
15-17. But when it pleased God. The language that follows implies that, like Moses, John the Baptist, Isaiah (Isa 49:1), and Jeremiah (Jer 1:5), Paul was destined to his work from birth.
16. To reveal his Son in me. It was one thing to call him, as was done on the way to Damascus; another to reveal Christ to him. This was needful that he should be a witness of the resurrection to the Gentiles. I conferred not with flesh and blood. He did not go to men to learn more, or for counsel.
17. Neither went I... to them which were apostles. He did not seek those who were apostles before him at Jerusalem to be taught. I went into Arabia. This is the only place where this fact is mentioned. Like Moses and Elijah, he spent a season, perhaps for reflection, communion with God, and preparation, amid the Arabian solitudes. He then returned to Damascus. Here he probably did his first preaching (Acts 9:20-22). Arabia lay south and east of Palestine, extending to the vicinity of Damascus.
18-24. Then after three years. Three years after conversion. This journey to Jerusalem, hurried by persecution at Damascus (2 Cor 11:32), was probably a.d. 40. To see Peter. He had probably never met him before. He desired to form his acquaintance and counsel over their great work. He then remained fifteen days, not long enough to have been taught the gospel by Peter, if that had been his object.
19. Other of the apostles saw I none. The other apostles were probably absent among churches of Judea (Acts 9:31). Save James. Not James the brother of John, an apostle, but James, “the brother of the Lord,” named in Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18. This James was not one of the Twelve, but rose to great dignity and influence in the church at Jerusalem. He is called here “the brother of the Lord,” to distinguish him from “James, the son of Zebedee,” and “James, the son of Alpheus,” who were of the Twelve. See Introduction to Epistle of James.
20. Behold, before God, I lie not. This statement, an important one in view of the declarations of the Judaizers, Paul makes very solemnly.
21. Afterwards I came into... Syria and Cilicia. See Acts 9:30. He was forced to leave Jerusalem by the attempt of the Hellenistic Jews to kill him.
22. And was unknown by face, etc. The churches of Judea had heard of him, but few had seen him.
23. They had heard. Rather, they kept hearing. That he was busy planting churches in Syria and Cilicia at this time we know from the fact that we find them in existence soon after (Acts 15:41).
24. They glorified God in me. Glorified God for the work I was doing. The idea of glorifying men for the success of their work was unknown in the early church.
"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To understand the divine origin of Paul's apostleship
2) To appreciate the danger of twisting the gospel of Christ
SUMMARY
Paul begins his letter to the churches of Galatia immediately
addressing a key issue of the epistle: that he is an apostle "not from
men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ..." (Gal 1:1). Joined by
unnamed brethren, he sends grace and peace from God and Christ, making
reference to the deliverance made possible by Jesus' death for our sins
in keeping with God's will (Gal 1:2-4). This in turns leads to a short
doxology (Gal 1:5).
Without any thanksgiving or prayer for his recipients as found in other
epistles, Paul expresses his amazement that they are so soon turning to
a different gospel being offered by those who wish to pervert the
gospel of Christ (Gal 1:6-7). This is followed by a condemnation repeated
for emphasis of anyone, even an apostle or angel, who would preach a
different gospel than they had already received (Gal 1:8-9). Strong words,
yes, but as a servant of Christ Paul is seeking to please God, not man
(Gal 1:10).
The gospel preached by Paul was being twisted by those who challenged
his authority as an apostle. Therefore Paul proceeds to defend both
the gospel and his apostleship by stressing that his gospel was by
revelation, and not from man (Gal 1:11-12). As evidence, Paul relates his
conduct prior to his conversion, and how by the grace of God he was
called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Gal 1:13-14). That his gospel
was not from man is supported by the scarcity of opportunities he had
to be around Peter or the other apostles (Gal 1:15-20). In the early years
after his conversion, most of his time was spent in Syria and Cilicia,
with the churches of Judea knowing Paul only by what they heard. And
what they heard led them to glorify God (Gal 1:21-24)!
OUTLINE
I. INTRODUCTION (Gal 1:1-10)
A. SALUTATION (Gal 1:1-5)
1. From Paul, an apostle, and those with him, to the churches of
Galatia (Gal 1:1-2)
2. With a desire for them to have grace and peace from God and
Jesus (Gal 1:3)
3. With mention of Christ's sacrifice for our sins, designed to
deliver us from this evil age, in keeping with God's will, to
Whom be glory forever (Gal 1:4-5)
B. REASON FOR THE LETTER (Gal 1:6-10)
1. He is amazed that they are turning from the One who called
them in the grace of Christ, to a different and perverted
gospel (Gal 1:6-7)
2. A repeated condemnation against anyone (man, apostle, or
angel) who would preach a different gospel than what they had
already received (Gal 1:8-9)
3. Strong words, yes, but coming from one who seeks to serve
Christ, not man (Gal 1:10)
II. PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTLESHIP (Gal 1:11-24)
A. THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF HIS GOSPEL (Gal 1:11-17)
1. His gospel was not according to man, or from man, but directly
from Jesus Christ (Gal 1:11-12)
2. A review of his conduct in Judaism prior to conversion (Gal 1:13-14)
3. Upon his conversion, an act of Divine revelation itself, he
did not confer with man, especially the apostles in Jerusalem
(Gal 1:15-17)
4. But went to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus (Gal 1:17)
B. HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER APOSTLES (Gal 1:18-24)
1. After three years he went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and only
then for fifteen days (Gal 1;18)
a. He saw none of the other apostles, except James, the Lord's
brother (Gal 1:19)
b. With a solemn declaration he affirms these things to be
true (Gal 1:20)
2. Then he went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21)
a. Remaining unknown by face to the churches of Judea (Gal 1:22)
b. They heard only of his preaching brought about by his
conversion, and they glorified God in him (Gal 1:23-24)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Introduction (Gal 1:1-10)
- Paul's defense of his apostleship (Gal 1:11-24)
2) In identifying himself as an apostle, what point does Paul stress? (Gal 1:1)
- It was not from men nor through man
- But through Jesus Christ and God the Father
3) To whom is this epistle written? (Gal 1:2)
- To the churches of Galatia
4) Why did Jesus give Himself for our sins? (Gal 1:4)
- That He might deliver us from this present evil age
5) Why did Paul marvel? (Gal 1:6)
- That the Galatians were turning away so soon from God to a
different gospel
6) What were those who were troubling them actually doing? (Gal 1:7)
- Seeking to pervert the gospel of Christ
7) What does Paul say of those who would preach a different gospel? (Gal 1:8-9)
- Let them be accursed
8) Who was Paul seeking to please? Why? (Gal 1:10)
- God, not man
- Otherwise he would not be a servant of Christ
9) What does Paul stress about the gospel he preached? (Gal 1:11-12)
- It is not according to man (neither received from man, nor was
taught it)
- It came through the revelation of Jesus Christ
10) What did Paul remind them concerning his former conduct in Judaism? (Gal 1:13-14)
- How he persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it
- How he advanced in Judaism beyond many of his contemporaries
11) Why did God call Paul and reveal His Son in him? (Gal 1:15-16)
- To preach Christ among the Gentiles
12) Where did Paul NOT go after his conversion? (Gal 1:17)
- To Jerusalem and the apostles who were there
13) How long was it before Paul saw any of the apostles in Jerusalem?
Which ones did he see? (Gal 1:18-19)
- Three years
- Peter, and James, the Lord's brother
14) Where did he go then? (Gal 1:21)
- The regions of Syria and Cilicia
15) What three things are said about Paul's connection with the
churches of Judea? (Gal 1:22-24)
- He was unknown by face to them
- They were only hearing about his preaching
- They glorified God because of Paul
Chapter I -- Paul's Apostleship of God, Not of Men
Summary--Greetings. Paul's Wonder That the Galatians had Swerved from the Gospel They Had Received. Anathemas on Those Who Preach Another Gospel. The Gospel Communicated to Paul by Christ Himself. Paul's Early Life. A Persecutor. Christ Revealed. Goes Not Then to Jerusalem. After Three Years, Abode With Peter Fifteen Days. Then Preached in Cilicia.
1-5. Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man. This verse is the text of the first two chapters. In the Introduction I have pointed out that this Epistle was written on account of the disturbance made among the churches of Galatia by false teachers. These teachers sought to prepare a way for their doctrines by discrediting Paul. If they admitted that he was an apostle at all, they claimed that he was inferior to Peter and the Twelve; that he had received his gospel from them, and hence all must look to Jerusalem for the true gospel. Hence Paul here begins by declaring that his apostleship is not from man, but directly from Christ. The other apostles did not convert, choose, or appoint him, but Christ came from heaven to commission him.
2. And all the brethren which are with me. His fellow-laborers, such as Timothy, Titus, Silas, Luke, etc., some of whom at least were with him at this time. The word “all” implies that a number were with him. Unto the churches of Galatia. The inference from the language is that there were a considerable number scattered through the province.
3. Grace... and peace. The salutation is a benediction, a petition that the blessings of Father and Son may be bestowed upon them.
4. Who gave himself for our sins. The name of Christ causes the utterance of a grand truth, of which the heart of Paul was always full, and which needed at this time to be impressed on the Galatian brethren. It was not Moses, but Christ who gave himself for them. This present evil world. The existing state of things, where sin and death reign.
5. To whom be glory. This doxology is an indirect rebuke to those who were exalting Moses to share the glory of Christ.
6-10. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you. Paul abruptly springs into the midst of his subject. With the fickleness of their race, they had so soon swerved from “him that called” them. The analogy of Paul's language (compare Gal 1:15; 1 Cor 1:9; Rom 8:30) would show that he refers to God. The call was a divine one. Paul was only the instrument that God used. Into the grace of Christ. The gospel privileges. Called into these, they had “removed” unto another gospel, one of a different kind, not worthy of the name.
7. Which is not another. Is not a gospel at all, but only a perversion of the only gospel of Christ, due to false teachers.
8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, etc. He supposes an impossibility in order to make his statement emphatic. These false teachers said, “Our gospel is of Peter, or of James.” Paul replies, “Even though they, or we, or even an angel, preach another gospel, let him be accursed.” He who corrupts divine truth is an enemy of God, and is under the curse. Accursed. Anathema; given over to the judgments of God. See 1 Cor 16:22.
9. As we said before. This refers, it is generally supposed, to Paul's last visit to Galatia, mentioned in Acts 18:23, at which time he had warned the brethren against the Judaizers. The strong language shows how great a sin it is to pervert the gospel or Bible truth.
10. For do I now persuade men, etc. Is this his motive, or to please God? If he sought to please men, he would never have become the servant of Christ. By so doing he had displeased all his own nation and brought on himself the hatred of men. See 2 Cor 11:23.
11, 12. The gospel which was preached by me is not after to man. It is not preached to please man, nor is it of human origin.
12. For I neither received it of man, etc. It could not be of man, for it did not come to him from man. No preacher or apostle taught it to him, but it came by a direct revelation of Christ. The first revelation was on the way to Damascus (Acts 26:13-18). There were no doubt successive revelations (2 Cor 12:1).
13, 14. Ye have heard of my manner of life. While he was still a Jew. In order to show that his gospel did not come from man, he cites his history, of which they knew something. I persecuted the church of God. See Acts 9:21. He made a determined effort to destroy Christianity. Compare Acts 22:4; Acts 26:10-11.
14. Profited in the Jews' religion. Made progress in it. He was a Pharisee, was well educated, exceedingly zealous, and reached a high degree. Traditions of my fathers. Not only the law of Moses, but the traditions handed down which were taught so assiduously. See Matt 15:2; Mark 7:3; Mark 7:13. Our Lord condemned these Jewish traditions.
15-17. But when it pleased God. The language that follows implies that, like Moses, John the Baptist, Isaiah (Isa 49:1), and Jeremiah (Jer 1:5), Paul was destined to his work from birth.
16. To reveal his Son in me. It was one thing to call him, as was done on the way to Damascus; another to reveal Christ to him. This was needful that he should be a witness of the resurrection to the Gentiles. I conferred not with flesh and blood. He did not go to men to learn more, or for counsel.
17. Neither went I... to them which were apostles. He did not seek those who were apostles before him at Jerusalem to be taught. I went into Arabia. This is the only place where this fact is mentioned. Like Moses and Elijah, he spent a season, perhaps for reflection, communion with God, and preparation, amid the Arabian solitudes. He then returned to Damascus. Here he probably did his first preaching (Acts 9:20-22). Arabia lay south and east of Palestine, extending to the vicinity of Damascus.
18-24. Then after three years. Three years after conversion. This journey to Jerusalem, hurried by persecution at Damascus (2 Cor 11:32), was probably a.d. 40. To see Peter. He had probably never met him before. He desired to form his acquaintance and counsel over their great work. He then remained fifteen days, not long enough to have been taught the gospel by Peter, if that had been his object.
19. Other of the apostles saw I none. The other apostles were probably absent among churches of Judea (Acts 9:31). Save James. Not James the brother of John, an apostle, but James, “the brother of the Lord,” named in Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18. This James was not one of the Twelve, but rose to great dignity and influence in the church at Jerusalem. He is called here “the brother of the Lord,” to distinguish him from “James, the son of Zebedee,” and “James, the son of Alpheus,” who were of the Twelve. See Introduction to Epistle of James.
20. Behold, before God, I lie not. This statement, an important one in view of the declarations of the Judaizers, Paul makes very solemnly.
21. Afterwards I came into... Syria and Cilicia. See Acts 9:30. He was forced to leave Jerusalem by the attempt of the Hellenistic Jews to kill him.
22. And was unknown by face, etc. The churches of Judea had heard of him, but few had seen him.
23. They had heard. Rather, they kept hearing. That he was busy planting churches in Syria and Cilicia at this time we know from the fact that we find them in existence soon after (Acts 15:41).
24. They glorified God in me. Glorified God for the work I was doing. The idea of glorifying men for the success of their work was unknown in the early church.