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.
1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
[1] {grace} The test of the Gospel is grace. If the message excludes grace, or mingles law with grace as the means of either of justification or sanctification # Ga 2:21 3:1-3 or denies the fact or guilt of sin which alone gives grace its occasion and opportunity, it is "another" gospel, and the preacher of it is under the anathema of God # Ga 1:8,9
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.
[2] {For now do} The demonstration is as follows: (1) The Galatians know Paul, that he is no seeker after popularity (v. 10). (2) He puts his known character back of the assertion that his Gospel of grace was a revelation from God (vs 11,11). (3) As for the Judaizers, Paul had been a foremost Jew, and had forsaken Judaism for something better (vs 13, 14). (4) He had preached grace years before he saw any of the other apostles (vs 15-24). (5) When he did meet the other apostles they had nothing to add to his revelations # Ga 2:1-6 (6) The other apostles fully recognized Paul's apostleship. # Ga 2:17-10 (7) If the legalizers pleaded Peter's authority, the answer was that he himself had claimed none when rebuked (2.11-14).
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] {Jews' religion} The new dispensation of grace having come in, the Mosaic system, if still persisted in, becomes a mere "Jews' religion."
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.
[2] {religion} In verses 13 and 14 the Greek word for "the Jews' religion" is Ioudaismos (Judaism). In # Ac 26:5 Jas 1:26,27 threskeia--religious service--is translated "religion," and in # Col 2:18 "worshipping." Excepting # Jas 1:27 "religion" has always a bad sense, and nowhere is it synonymous with salvation or spirituality.
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.
