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Kenneth Wuest · Citado em PreceptAustin

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Wuest - In fact, even if we or a messenger from heaven should preach a gospel to you which goes beyond that which we preached to you as good news, let him be accursed. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! GNT Galatians 1:8 ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐὰν ἡμεῖς ἢ ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ εὐαγγελίζηται [ὑμῖν] παρ᾽ ὃ εὐηγγελισάμεθα ὑμῖν, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω. NLT Galatians 1:8 Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. KJV Galatians 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. ESV Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. ASV Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. CSB Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! NIV Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! NKJ Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. NRS Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! YLT Galatians 1:8 but even if we or a messenger out of heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we did proclaim to you -- anathema let him be! NAB Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach (to you) a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! NJB Galatians 1:8 But even if we ourselves or an angel from heaven preaches to you a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let God's curse be on him. GWN Galatians 1:8 Whoever tells you good news that is different from the Good News we gave you should be condemned to hell, even if he is one of us or an angel from heaven. BBE Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, were to be a preacher to you of good news other than that which we have given you, let there be a curse on him. Even if: Ga 1:9 1Co 16:22 2Co 11:13,14 1Ti 1:19,20 Tit 3:10 Rev 22:18,19 He is to be: Ga 3:10,13 Ge 9:25 Dt 27:15-26 Jos 9:23 1Sa 26:19 Ne 13:25 Mt 25:41 2Pe 2:14 accursed: Mk 14:71 Ac 23:14 Ro 9:3 1Co 12:3 16:22 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL PRESENTS A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION But even if we - But (alla) is the strongest adversative conjunction and emphasizes how strong the contrast is between Paul's gospel and the counterfeit "gospel." Even if is a so-called third class condition which views the condition as a possibility, something that may happen but is not certain to happen. Most commentators see this as Paul's way of introducing a hypothetical case, something that in fact is highly improbable. We shows that Paul is not alone in his strong feelings concerning the integrity of the Gospel of grace (cf all the brethren - Gal 1:2). Indeed, we today should be just as zealous to "Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure (GOSPEL OF CHRIST) which has been entrusted to" us (2Ti 1:14+) Or an angel from heaven - Now Paul uses a hyperbole or deliberate exaggeration for effect by describing an angel from heaven preaching. How absurd would it be for an angel from heaven to preach a gospel that was not the Gospel of Christ, Who is seated in Heaven! In Hebrews 2:2 the writer notes "the word spoken through angels proved unalterable," so clearly the Jews believed that divine law came through angels. And Paul may have introduced this hyperbole because the Judaizers were using this truth ("proved unalterable") to say the Old Covenant was still binding. MacArthur makes the point that in introducing an angel from heaven Paul "was reaching for the most fanciful possibilities imaginable to make his point that absolutely no messenger, no matter how seemingly godly and good, should be believed or followed if his teaching does not square with God-revealed apostolic doctrine. The truth outranks anyone's credentials, and every teacher or preacher must be evaluated on the basis of what he says, not who he is." MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Galatians Writing to the church at Corinth Paul warned For such men (in 2 Cor 11:12) are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. (2 Cor 11:13-15) Should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you he is to be accursed! - The NLT paraphrases it "Let God's curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you." Paul is presenting a hypothetical case - the true Gospel cannot be changed, but if it could be changed then the one who changes it is to be cursed. William

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Wuest on apostle - “The word apostle as Paul uses it here does not merely refer to one who has a message to announce, but to an appointed representative with an official status who is provided with the credentials of his office.”(Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission)

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Wuest adds that the word but is "alla the stronger of the two adversatives, de being a milder one. Paul is very strong in his language when contrasting the divine origin of his apostleship with the human origin of the apostleship of the false apostles." In short, in the strongest way (linguistically) possible Paul denies any human involvement in his appointment as an apostle." (Wuest's Commentary)

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Wuest adds an interesting thought that "persons who join in the address prefixed to a letter, are persons whose authorization is required and conveyed in it. They are indicated as joint-authors (Ed: Not exactly). The letter, though composed by Paul, is a letter of Paul and those named with him. These all stamp with authority what is said in the letter. Accordingly, where Paul associates anyone with himself in the prefatory superscription of his letters, it is always some person who stands in a position of authority and influence towards those addressed. (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) To the churches of Galatia - Galatia is not a city but a region with many churches. While some hold that these were churches in the northern region, many conservative commentators believe they were addressed to churches in southern Galatia - Antioch Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and for that reason it would be worthwhile to take some time to study Acts 13+ and Acts 14+, noting especially how the Gospel was initially accepted until the Jews arrived and began to stir up the crowds against Paul and even got him stoned (As one writer quips "In a sense, they were still throwing rocks when he wrote this letter.") So in contrast to letters like 1 Thes 1:1 ("To the church of the Thessalonians") which was written to a single church, Galatians was written to a number of churches in the region of Galatia. It is notable that there is no commendation or thanks offered as Paul did for all the other churches to whom he wrote (cf 1 Th 1:2, Ro 1:8, 1 Cor 1:4, Phil 1:3, Col 1:3, Eph 1:16). Needless to say, Paul is not pleased with their defection from the Gospel of grace! Wuest adds "he did not address them as saints, although they were!" (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Churches (1577)(ekklesia from ek = out + klesis = a calling, verb = kaleo = to call) literally means called out and as commonly used in the Greco-Roman vernacular referred to citizens who were called out from their homes to be publicly assembled or gathered to discuss or carry out affairs of state. Ekklesia is used in two ways in the New Testament, one meaning referring to the entire body of believers, of all different groups, who have trusted Christ as Savior which is synonymous with the Body of Christ (e.g. Eph 1:22, Eph 3:21, Eph 5:27). In Galatians 1:2 ekklesia refers to the local assemblies of believers in Galatia and thus the letter is what we would call a "circular letter," meant to be distributed among several churches. Since there must have been only one copy (and no copying machine), the letter would have to be read and digested before it was sent on to the next church. Did some members of the churches take "notes" like is so common in today's church? We'll ask in Heaven. As someone said the church is the fruit of the Gospel, but Paul fears that the churches in Galatia are rotting fruit! And I would add that any fruit will be worthless that is not borne by abiding in the Vine. As Jesus said “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides (present tense as the habit of their lives) in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do (ABSOLUTELY) nothing.(John 15:5) Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, NET Galatians 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, GNT Galatians 1:3 χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ NLT Galatians 1:3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. KJV Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, ESV Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, ASV Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, CSB Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, NIV Galatians 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, NKJ Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, NRS Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, YLT Galatians 1:3 Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, NAB Galatians 1:3 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, NJB Galatians 1:3 Grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ GWN Galatians 1:3 Good will and peace are yours from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ! BBE Galatians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, Ro 1:7-15 1Co 1:3 2Co 1:2 13:14 Eph 1:2 Php 1:2 Col 1:2 1Th 1:1 2Th 1:2 2Jn 1:3 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AMAZING GRACE SURPASSING PEACE Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - Grace comes from God, is mediated through His Son (cf 2 Ti 2:1+, 2 Cor 12:9+ "My grace...") and made effective through the work of His Spirit (Heb 10:29+). We tend to forget that grace and peace are not only necessary and instrumental in our initial salvation, but they are to be experienced in our daily life as we learn to walk with God, specifically learning to "Walk by the Spirit" as Paul describes in Galatians 5:16+. Max Anders writes that "Grace and peace summarize Paul’s gospel of salvation. Grace, God’s unmerited favor, is the source of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9+). When a person believes in Jesus Christ, he or she receives salvation and peace with God (Ro 5:1+), others, and self. Thus, grace leads to peace." (Holman NT Commentary - Galatians) Dr Martyn Lloyd- Jones - Grace is the beginning of our faith; peace is the end of our faith. Grace is the fountain, the spring, the source. It is that particular place in the mountain from which the mighty river you see rolling into the sea starts its race; without it there would be nothing. Grace is the origin and source and fount of everything in the Christian life. But what does the Christian life mean, what is it meant to produce? The answer is ‘peace.’ So there we have the source and there the estuary leading to the sea, the beginning and the end, the initiation, and the purpose for which it is all meant and designed. It is essential for us, therefore, to carry these two words in our minds because within the ellipse formed by grace and peace everything is included. (Grace; Peace; Glory) Grace was the Greek greeting and peace the Hebrew greeting. Paul frequently linked grace with peace (1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 3). The grace of God is the source of salvation and peace with God is the result of salvation.

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Wuest - The salutation proper as given in this verse is the uniform one found in all of the Pauline church letters, but it has special significance in the Galatian letter since the recipients were turning away from the doctrine of grace toward the legalistic teachings of the Judaizers. The grace spoken of here is sanctifying grace, the enabling ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the saints. The Galatian letter reveals the fact that the Galatian saints were being deprived of the ministry of the Spirit by the teaching of the Judaizers to the effect that growth in the Christian life was to be had by obedience to the legal enactments of the Mosaic law (Gal 4:19), and thus coming under the Mosaic economy in which there was no provision for an indwelling Spirit whose ministry it was to sanctify the believer, they substituted self-effort for their former dependence upon the Spirit. The salutation therefore is the out breathing of a Pauline prayer that the Galatians might again become recipients of the full work of the Spirit in their lives. The peace here mentioned is heart peace which is the result of the ministry of the Spirit. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) SOURCE OF GRACE AND PEACE From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - The source of grace and peace is both the Father and the Son (the single preposition "from" links both Father and Son as the unified Source). Thus this passage shows us the co-equality of the Godhead. Lord Jesus Christ - Lord implies His authority. Jesus speaks of His mission (Deliverer), and Christ denotes His Messianic anointing. This title for Jesus is found 63x in 63v in the NT Acts 11:17; Acts 15:26; Acts 20:21; Acts 28:31; Rom. 1:7; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 5:11; Rom. 13:14; Rom. 15:6; Rom. 15:30; Rom. 16:24; 1 Co. 1:2; 1 Co. 1:3; 1 Co. 1:7; 1 Co. 1:8; 1 Co. 1:10; 1 Co. 6:11; 1 Co. 8:6; 1 Co. 15:57; 2 Co. 1:2; 2 Co. 1:3; 2 Co. 8:9; 2 Co. 13:14; Gal. 1:3; Gal. 6:14; Gal. 6:18; Eph. 1:2; Eph. 1:3; Eph. 1:17; Eph. 5:20; Eph. 6:23; Eph. 6:24; Phil. 1:2; Phil. 3:20; Phil. 4:23; Col. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:3; 1 Thess. 5:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Thess. 5:28; 2 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:12; 2 Thess. 2:1; 2 Thess. 2:14; 2 Thess. 2:16; 2 Thess. 3:6; 2 Thess. 3:12; 2 Thess. 3:18; 1 Tim. 6:3; 1 Tim. 6:14; Phlm. 1:3; Phlm. 1:25; Jas. 1:1; Jas. 2:1; 1 Pet. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:8; 2 Pet. 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16; Jude 1:4; Jude 1:17; Jude 1:21 Lord (Master, Owner)(2962)(kurios) signifies that one is supreme, sovereign and possesses absolute authority, absolute ownership and uncontested power. Jesus is referred to as Lord (Kurios) more frequently than by any other title. Lord is not merely a name that composes a title, but signifies a call to action so that every saint should willingly, reverently bow down to Jesus Christ. If Christ is our Lord, we are to live under Him, consciously, continually submitting our wills to him as His loyal, loving bondservants ("love slaves"), always seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Mt 6:33+). THOUGHT - According to the preceding practical working "definition" of "Lord," beloved we all need to ask ourselves "Is Jesus Christ my Lord?". "Do I arise each day, acknowledges this is the day the Lord hath made?" (Ps 118:24+) "Do I surrender my will to His will as I begin each day?" (cp Ro 12:1+, Ro 12:2+) Beloved, don't misunderstand. None of us have "arrived" in this area of Jesus as Lord of our lives. And it is precisely for that reason that Peter commands us to continually "grow (present imperative) in the grace (unmerited favor, power to live the supernatural, abundant life in Christ) and knowledge (not just intellectual but transformational) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Pe 3:18+) So do not be discouraged. Don't "throw in the towel" as they say. Keep on keeping on, pressing (continually = present tense) "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Php 3:14+) Jesus (2424)(Iesous is transliteration of the Greek Iesous, which in turn is the transliteration of the Hebrew name Jehoshua (Yehoshua) or Jeshua (Yeshua) which mean Jehovah is help or Jehovah is salvation. Stated another way the Greek Iesous corresponds to the OT Jehoshua (Yehoshua) which is contracted as Jeshua (Yeshua). Christ (5547)(Christos from chrio = to rub or anoint, consecrate to an office) describes one who has been anointed with oil, one who has been consecrated. The majority of the NT uses refer to Jesus (exceptions = "false Christs" - Mt 24:24, Mk 13:22). Christos describes one who has been anointed, symbolizing appointment to a task. It is used here as the title "Anointed One" and is the Greek synonym for "Messiah." (See also Messiah - Anointed One) James Montgomery

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Wuest - who gave himself in behalf of our sins so that He might rescue us out from this present pernicious age according to the will of our God and Father, (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, GNT Galatians 1:4 τοῦ δόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, ὅπως ἐξέληται ἡμᾶς ἐκ τοῦ αἰῶνος τοῦ ἐνεστῶτος πονηροῦ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ πατρὸς ἡμῶν, NLT Galatians 1:4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. KJV Galatians 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: ESV Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ASV Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: CSB Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. NIV Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, NKJ Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, NRS Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, YLT Galatians 1:4 who did give himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of the present evil age, according to the will of God even our Father, NAB Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins that he might rescue us from the present evil age in accord with the will of our God and Father, NJB Galatians 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to liberate us from this present wicked world, in accordance with the will of our God and Father, GWN Galatians 1:4 In order to free us from this present evil world, Christ took the punishment for our sins, because that was what our God and Father wanted. BBE Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, so that he might make us free from this present evil world, after the purpose of our God and Father: Who gave Himself for our sins: Ga 2:20 Mt 20:28 26:28 Mk 10:45 Lk 22:19 Jn 10:11,17,18 Ro 4:25 Eph 5:2 1Ti 2:6 Tit 2:14 Heb 9:14 10:9,10 1Pe 2:24 1Pe 3:18 1Jn 2:2 3:16 Rev 1:5 so that He might rescue us from this present evil age: Ga 6:14 Isa 65:17 Jn 12:31 14:30 15:18,19 17:14,15 Ro 12:2 2Co 4:4 Eph 2:2 6:12 Heb 2:5 6:5 Jas 4:4 1Jn 2:15-17 5:4,5,19 1Jn 5:20 Rev 5:9 7:9 according to the will: Ps 40:8 Mt 26:42 Lk 22:42 Jn 5:30 6:38 14:30,31 Ro 8:3,27,32 Eph 1:3,11 Heb 10:4-10) of our God and Father: Mt 6:9 Ro 1:7 Eph 1:2 Php 4:20 1Th 3:11,13 2Th 2:16 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OUR GREAT SAVIOR'S GRAND GOSPEL RESCUE Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father - This could well be termed the believer's "Emancipation Proclamation!" (aka the “Declaration of Independence of Christian liberty.”) In a parallel passage Paul wrote that God has... delivered us from the domain (exousia = the right and the might - in context right and might of Satan, cf 1 Jn 5:19+, Eph 2:2+) of darkness (cf this present evil age), and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness (aphesis; see also Forgive - Aphiemi) of sins (Notice Paul's "definition" of redemption = forgiveness). (Col 1:13-14+) Comment: Notice that in Col 1:13+ it is the Father Who delivers us and here in Gal 1:4 it is the Son. And of course the Spirit causes us to be born again (John 3:3-5, cf Father in 1 Pe 1:3+). This amazing rescue operation is the cooperative work of the Trinity! Phillip Ryken observes four significant truths about Jesus' "rescue operation" on the Cross First, it shows the willingness of Jesus to go to the Cross. The crucifixion was a voluntary self-sacrifice. Jesus gave the most precious gift of all. He "gave Himself" (Gal. 1:4). He "gave Himself up" (Eph. 5:25), or He "gave Himself for us" (Titus 2:14). No one took Christ's life away from Him; He freely gave it away: "I lay down my life"—Jesus said—"that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord" (John 10:17-18). This is also emphasized in the Gospel of Matthew, where an unusual phrase is used to show that at the moment of his death Jesus "yielded up His spirit" (Matt. 27:50). Second, this verse shows the purpose of the Cross. The reason Christ gave himself away was "for our sins" (Gal. 1:4). A transaction took place on the cross. We were the ones who deserved to die because we owe God an infinite debt for our sin. But Christ took our place on the Cross. He became our substitute, our sin-offering. He gathered up all our sins, put them on His own shoulders, and paid for them with His death. Thus the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ was not merely an example of supreme sacrifice, but an actual atonement for sin. It enabled God to forgive us by satisfying His pure justice.... Third, this verse shows the effect of the Cross. Christ was crucified "to deliver us from the present evil age" (Gal. 1:4). When we think of the cross, we usually think first of the atonement. As we have seen, Christ died to pay for our sins. But Christ was also crucified to emancipate us from this evil age. The Gospel is a rescue, like being released from servitude or freed from prison.... Fourth, this verse shows the origin of the Cross. Christ died "according to the will of our God and Father" (Gal. 1:4). The execution of Jesus of Nazareth was not an unforeseen tragedy, a mere accident of history; it was part of God's plan for the salvation of sinners. The apostle Peter said as much to the very men who nailed Jesus to the cross. In his famous sermon in Jerusalem, he declared, "This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men" (Acts 2:23). (Reformed Expository Commentary – Galatians) Wuest comments on the phrase "Who gave Himself for our sins" - Here Paul brings to the attention of the Galatian Christians who were practically ignoring the substitutionary character of the atoning death of the Lord Jesus, a declaration of the true ground of acceptance with God (Gal 2:21; 5:4). This was purposely added because the Galatians were falling back on works as the ground of such acceptance. The voluntary aspect of the death of our Lord is brought out here. He said, “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God” (Heb. 10:9). (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) Jesus gave Himself - Gave is in the middle voice which is reflexive and speaks of His personal and total surrender. The idea is that Jesus Who delivers us has an interest in the result of His own act, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mk 10:45) God gave His only Son (John 3:16) and His only Son gave His only life out of love for men dead in their trespasses and sins otherwise headed for eternal destruction. And in Christ giving of Himself, He was the perfect fulfillment of all the Jewish sin offerings given at the Temple for hundreds of years. Jesus came to be the final, perfect sin offering, to which the entire Old Testament sacrificial system had always been pointing. Paul wrote... He (GOD THE FATHER) made Him (JESUS THE SON) Who knew no sin to be sin (THE PERFECT SIN OFFERING!) on our behalf (SPEAKS OF SUBSTITUTIONARY SACRIFICE - JESUS TOOK OUR PLACE), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21+) Peter wrote that He (JESUS) Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross (AS A SIN OFFERING), so that (PURPOSE) we might die to (THE PENALTY AND POWER OF) sin and live (ENABLED BY HIS SPIRIT) to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (FROM THE FATAL DISEASE OF SIN). (1 Pe 2:24+) John

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Wuest - which message is not an alternative gospel. Only, there are certain ones who are troubling your minds and are desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:7 not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ. GNT Galatians 1:7 ὃ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλο, εἰ μή τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς καὶ θέλοντες μεταστρέψαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ. NLT Galatians 1:7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. KJV Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. ESV Galatians 1:7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. ASV Galatians 1:7 which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. CSB Galatians 1:7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah. NIV Galatians 1:7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. NKJ Galatians 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. NRS Galatians 1:7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. YLT Galatians 1:7 that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ; NAB Galatians 1:7 (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. NJB Galatians 1:7 not that it is another gospel; except that there are trouble-makers among you who are seeking to pervert the gospel of Christ. GWN Galatians 1:7 But what some people are calling good news is not really good news at all. They are confusing you. They want to distort the Good News about Christ. BBE Galatians 1:7 Which is not another sort: only there are some who give you trouble, desiring to make changes in the good news of Christ. only there are some who are disturbing you: Ga 2:4 4:17 5:10,12 6:12,13,17 Ac 15:1-5,24 20:30 Ro 16:17,18 2Co 11:13 want to distort the gospel of Christ. : Ga 5:10,12 Jer 23:26 Mt 24:24 Ac 13:10 15:1,24 2Co 2:17 4:2 1Ti 4:1-3 2Ti 2:18 3:8,9 4:3,4 Tit 1:10,11 2Pe 2:1-3, 1 Jn 2:18,19,26 4:1, 2 Jn 1:7,10 Jude 1:4 Rev 2:2,6,14,15,20 12:9 Rev 13:14 19:20 20:3 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PERVERSION OF THE GOSPEL ALWAYS TROUBLES THE CHURCH! Which is really not another - Which refers to the different Gospel. In Gal 1:6 Paul had used heteros (another of a different kind), but here Paul uses allos which means "another of exactly the same kind." The point is that this different Gospel ("which") is not a gospel of the same kind that Paul preaches, that is, it is not a gospel at all! The Judaizers added works (conformity to the Old Covenant, circumcision, etc) in order for a person to right with God which as we have said was not "good news" but "bad news" which totally undercut the power of the Gospel of grace. The true Gospel does have good works, but only as the "fruit" of genuine salvation, not the "root" cause of that salvation. See Eph 2:10+ and James 2:14-26+. Interesting use of allos - Jesus uses allos to refer to the Spirit telling His disciples "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another (allos) Helper (His point was that He would send the Spirit Who would be another Helper of the same kind - just like the disciples had experienced His personal presence, His help, His teaching, His protection, His comfort, etc, the Holy Spirit would provide those things to the disciples), that He may be with you forever." (Jn 14:16). THOUGHT - Beloved, have you fully grasped the truth that while Christ is in you the hope of glory (Col 1:27+), He has also sent you another Helper of the the same kind (Lk 24:49+, Acts 1:8+), Whose purpose is to enable you to live a supernatural life? Don't try to live this Christian life in your own power, but daily seek to be filled with the Spirit of Jesus (Eph 5:18+) so that you might be enabled to walk by the Spirit (Gal 5:16+) and He will empower you (giving you the desire and the power - cf Php 2:13NLT+) to not carry out the lusts of the flesh! Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity! For more on this vitally important topic see related resources: Make Disciples 1 Make Disciples 2 Make Disciples 3 Make Disciples 4 Make Disciples 5 Make Disciples 6 Make Disciples 7 Make Disciples 8

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Wuest adds that the desire of the false teachers "was not merely to derange Paul's Gospel of grace or to turn aside its true meaning. It was to transform it into something diametrically opposed to what it was originally, into something of an opposite nature. Thus the actions of the Judaizers themselves testify to the mutual incompatibility of LAW and GRACE (Ed: They are like oil and water! See chart above for numerous contrasts). These two systems have nothing in common; as Paul says, “If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Ro 11:6+). (Ibid) Pervert - to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true or morally right; to twist the meaning or sense of; To turn from truth, propriety, or from its proper purpose; to distort from its true use or end; as, to pervert reason by misdirecting it; to alter from its original meaning or state to a corruption of what was first intended. Distort - to twist out of the true meaning or proportion; to twist out of a natural, normal, or original shape or condition. To mar or spoil by or as if by twisting. The only other NT use of metastrepho is in Acts where Peter declares... THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. (Acts 2:20+) Comment - How interesting that it was used of the sun being turned to darkness, for in a similar way the light of the Gospel was turned to the exact opposite darkness and that is the effect it had on the minds of these Galatians! Metastrepho - 17x in the non-apocryphal Septuagint - Ex 14:5 (of Pharaoh having "a change of heart") ; Deut 23:5 ("God turned the curse to blessing"); 1 Sam 10:9 ("God changed his [Saul's] heart"); 2 Chr 36:4 ("changed his name"); Ps 66:6 ("turned the sea into dry land"); Ps 78:44 ("turned their rivers to blood"), Ps 78:57 ("They turned aside like a treacherous bow"); Ps105:25 ("He turned their heart to hate His people"), Ps 105:29 ("He turned their waters into blood"); Jer 6:12; 21:4; Lam 5:2; Hos 7:8 ("like a cake not turned"); Hos 11:8 ("My heart is turned over within Me"); Joel 2:31 (Quoted in Acts 2:20 above); Amos 8:10 ("I will turn your festivals into mourning"); Zeph 3:9 ("then I will give [turn to an opposite state] to the peoples purified lips [instead of impure speech - this is an act of grace, and the timing is most likely at the beginning of the Millennium]"); D L Moody on Choosing a Church - Salvation is obtained solely by faith in Him and quite apart from any works or human merit (Galatians 1:6-9). Be sure to find out what is taught concerning His precious blood. Apart from that blood there can be no remission of sins. John Stott - To tamper with the gospel is to trouble the Church....Indeed, the Church's greatest troublemakers (now as then) are not those outside who oppose, ridicule and persecute it, but those inside who try to change the gospel....Conversely, the only way to be a good churchman is to be a good gospel-man. The best way to serve the Church is to believe and to preach the gospel (in loc.). Ray Pritchard - The church had to hammer out its faith on the anvil of doctrinal controversy. That's why you find so many warnings in the New Testament concerning false teachers in the church. Virtually every New Testament book contains one. Some of the major references are: Matthew 24:4–5, 24; Acts 20:29–30; Romans 16:17–19; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Galatians 1:6–9; Philippians 3:1–2; Colossians 2:4, 8, 18, 20–23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3; 1 Timothy 1:3–7; 4:1–6; 2 Timothy 3:1–9; 4:3–4; 2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 John 2:18–19; 2John 7–11; Jude 3–4; Revelation 2:6, 14–15, 20–24. Clearly, the early church took very seriously the threat posed by those who would add to or subtract from the original faith handed down from the apostles. (Stealth Attack - cp sermon How to Spot Counterfeit Christianity - this latter resource has a fascinating discussion of the way of salvation as understood by evangelicals and by a well known cardinal. Check it out as there are many points of agreement, but there is a different gospel!) The writers of the New Testament adapted the term Gospel as God's glorious message of salvation for lost otherwise hopeless, helpless sinners. Euaggelion is found in several combination phrases, each describing the gospel like a multifaceted jewel in various terms from a different viewpoint (from the NASB, 1977): the gospel of the kingdom (Mt 4:23+, Mt 9:35+, Mt 24:14+) the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mk 1:1+) because it centers in Christ the gospel of God (Mk 1:14+, Ro 15:16+, 2Co 11:7+, 1Th 2:2+, 1Th 2:8,9+, 1Pe 4:17+) because it originates with God and was not invented by man the gospel of the kingdom of God (Lu 16:16+) the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24+, Ro 1:1+), the gospel of His Son (Ro 1:9+) the gospel of Christ (Ro 15:19+, 2Co 2:12+, 2Co 9:13+, 2Co 10:14+, Gal 1:7+, Phil 1:27+, 1Th 3:2+) the gospel of the glory of Christ (2Co 4:4+) the gospel of your salvation (Eph 1:14+) the gospel of peace (Eph 6:15+) the gospel of our Lord Jesus (2Th 1:8+) the glorious gospel of the blessed God (1Ti 1:11+) In Ro 16:25, 26+ Paul called it “my Gospel” indicating that the special emphasis he gave the gospel in his ministry. An eternal gospel - Rev 14:6+ (Some writers such as C I Scofield interpret this as a "different gospel" than the other "gospels" mentioned above but I think such a distinction is incorrect and is poorly substantiated). For a rewarding study, study the preceding references in context making notation of the truth you observe about the gospel. If you would like a special blessing, take an afternoon to go through all 76 uses of euaggelion in context making a list of what you learn about the gospel. The Spirit of God will enlighten your heart and encourage your spirit in a very special way...and you'll want to share the "good news" with someone because of your "discoveries"! Euaggelion - Matt. 4:23; Matt. 9:35; Matt. 24:14; Matt. 26:13; Mk. 1:1; Mk. 1:14; Mk. 1:15; Mk. 8:35; Mk. 10:29; Mk. 13:10; Mk. 14:9; Mk. 16:15; Acts 15:7; Acts 20:24; Rom. 1:1; Rom. 1:9; Rom. 1:16; Rom. 2:16; Rom. 10:16; Rom. 11:28; Rom. 15:16; Rom. 15:19; Rom. 16:25; 1 Co. 4:15; 1 Co. 9:12; 1 Co. 9:14; 1 Co. 9:18; 1 Co. 9:23; 1 Co. 15:1; 2 Co. 2:12; 2 Co. 4:3; 2 Co. 4:4; 2 Co. 8:18; 2 Co. 9:13; 2 Co. 10:14; 2 Co. 11:4; 2 Co. 11:7; Gal. 1:6; Gal. 1:7; Gal. 1:11; Gal. 2:2; Gal. 2:5; Gal. 2:7; Gal. 2:14; Eph. 1:13; Eph. 3:6; Eph. 6:15; Eph. 6:19; Phil. 1:5; Phil. 1:7; Phil. 1:12; Phil. 1:16; Phil. 1:27; Phil. 2:22; Phil. 4:3; Phil. 4:15; Col. 1:5; Col. 1:23; 1 Thess. 1:5; 1 Thess. 2:2; 1 Thess. 2:4; 1 Thess. 2:8; 1 Thess. 2:9; 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 1:8; 2 Thess. 2:14; 1 Tim. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 2:8; Phlm. 1:13; 1 Pet. 4:17; Rev. 14:6 TODAY IN THE WORD - A second-century Christian heresy was ""rediscovered"" in 1945. That year, archaeologists recovered a number of documents from an Egyptian monastery, among them a book called "The Gospel of Truth" by a theologian named Valentinus (or one of his followers). Once a candidate for bishop of Rome, Valentinus (Gnostic) was excommunicated when he emerged as leader of a gnostic heresy. Gnosticism denies that the spiritual has anything to do with the physical, a heresy with which other ages of the church have also wrestled. Valentinus interpreted the Bible in a strange, allegorical way. His teachings blurred the line between Christianity, mysticism, philosophy and Judaism. He rejected the incarnation, crucifixion and bodily resurrection of Jesus. Church leaders attacked Valentinus' heretical ideas and defended biblical truth. Heresies and cults have always threatened the church. When falsehoods are exposed, the church must do all it can to defend the truth. In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul is defending the truth of Christianity against false theology. He criticizes the Galatians for neglecting Christian liberty and for focusing instead on the error of legalism. The Galatians may have been startled when the apostle accused them of turning from God (Gal 1:6). No doubt they thought they were pleasing the Father by keeping the law, as did the Jews and Paul before his conversion. But God had extended to the Galatians grace through Jesus Christ, the instrument by which He brings us to salvation. The Galatians had set aside that important truth, and distorted the simple truths of the gospel (Gal 1:6-7) TODAY IN THE WORD - The neighborhood kids decided to organize themselves into a playgroup and little Danny was their leader. All the members had bicycles and decorated them the same way so that everyone in the neighborhood would know who they were. When Sarah’s family moved in, she too wanted to be part of the group. “You can join,” Danny told her, “but only if you have a bicycle and decorate it just like ours!” This story reflects something of the situation in Galatia. (Galatians Devotionals) Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! Amplified - But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

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Wuest explains the word "huper" - The preposition for is huper, a word that speaks of substitution, which was its usual meaning in the secular world of the first century. The professional letter writer acting in behalf of and instead of the illiterate, would put that fact at the close of a document which he wrote, using this word; for instance, “Heraikleios Horou; I wrote on behalf of him who does not know letters.” This is the usual formula which makes the contents legal. Two instances in the New Testament where huper in its substitutionary usage is as plain as in the secular documents are: John 11:50, where Caiaphas uses it to speak of a political substitution, not a theological, although John finds that too; and 2Cor 5:14, 15 in the words if one died for all, that is, instead of and in behalf of. Thus Paul brings over against the Judaizers’ bloodless religion, the doctrine of the substitutionary atonement which teaches that the Lord Jesus took our place with relation to our sins and gave Himself as the Sacrifice that would perfectly satisfy the just demands of God’s holy law which the human race has violated. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Huper in Galatians - Gal. 1:4; Gal 1:14; Gal. 2:20; Gal. 3:13 - the last two describe Jesus Substitution, taking our place, dying for us, so that we might live eternally Galatians 1:14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond (huper) many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. Galatians 2:20+ “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for (huper) me. Galatians 3:13+ (Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for (huper) us–for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”– Huper - 135v in NT - (following do not include "for") about(5), above(4), behalf(22), beyond(4), concerning(3), exceed(1), more so(1), more than(5), over(2), regard(1), sake(9), sakes(1), than(3). Matt. 5:44; Matt. 10:24; Matt. 10:37; Mk. 9:40; Mk. 14:24; Lk. 6:40; Lk. 9:50; Lk. 16:8; Lk. 22:19; Lk. 22:20; Jn. 1:30; Jn. 6:51; Jn. 10:11; Jn. 10:15; Jn. 11:4; Jn. 11:50; Jn. 11:51; Jn. 11:52; Jn. 13:37; Jn. 13:38; Jn. 15:13; Jn. 17:19; Jn. 18:14; Acts 5:41; Acts 8:24; Acts 9:16; Acts 15:26; Acts 21:13; Acts 21:26; Acts 26:13; Rom. 1:5; Rom. 5:6; Rom. 5:7; Rom. 5:8; Rom. 8:27; Rom. 8:31; Rom. 8:32; Rom. 8:34; Rom. 9:3; Rom. 9:27; Rom. 10:1; Rom. 14:15; Rom. 15:8; Rom. 15:9; Rom. 15:30; Rom. 16:4; 1 Co. 1:13; 1 Co. 4:6; 1 Co. 10:13; 1 Co. 10:30; 1 Co. 11:24; 1 Co. 12:25; 1 Co. 15:3; 1 Co. 15:29; 2 Co. 1:6; 2 Co. 1:7; 2 Co. 1:8; 2 Co. 1:11; 2 Co. 5:12; 2 Co. 5:14; 2 Co. 5:15; 2 Co. 5:20; 2 Co. 5:21; 2 Co. 7:4; 2 Co. 7:7; 2 Co. 7:12; 2 Co. 7:14; 2 Co. 8:16; 2 Co. 8:23; 2 Co. 8:24; 2 Co. 9:2; 2 Co. 9:3; 2 Co. 9:14; 2 Co. 11:23; 2 Co. 12:5; 2 Co. 12:6; 2 Co. 12:8; 2 Co. 12:10; 2 Co. 12:13; 2 Co. 12:15; 2 Co. 12:19; 2 Co. 13:8; Gal. 1:4; Gal. 1:14; Gal. 2:20; Gal. 3:13; Eph. 1:16; Eph. 1:22; Eph. 3:1; Eph. 3:13; Eph. 3:20; Eph. 5:2; Eph. 5:20; Eph. 5:25; Eph. 6:19; Eph. 6:20; Phil. 1:4; Phil. 1:7; Phil. 1:29; Phil. 2:9; Phil. 2:13; Phil. 4:10; Col. 1:7; Col. 1:9; Col. 1:24; Col. 2:1; Col. 4:12; Col. 4:13; 1 Thess. 3:2; 1 Thess. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 1:5; 2 Thess. 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:2; 1 Tim. 2:6; Tit. 2:14; Phlm. 1:13; Phlm. 1:16; Phlm. 1:21; Heb. 2:9; Heb. 4:12; Heb. 5:1; Heb. 6:20; Heb. 7:25; Heb. 7:27; Heb. 9:7; Heb. 9:24; Heb. 10:12; Heb. 13:17; Jas. 5:16; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Jn. 3:16; 3 Jn. 1:7 Rescued Twice - A wealthy English family once invited friends to spend some time at their beautiful estate. The happy gathering was almost plunged into a terrible tragedy on the first day. When the children went swimming, one of them got into deep water and was drowning. Fortunately, the gardener heard the others screaming and plunged into the pool to rescue the helpless victim. That youngster was Winston Churchill. His parents, deeply grateful to the gardener, asked what they could do to reward him. He hesitated, then said, "I wish my son could go to college someday and become a doctor." "We'll pay his way," replied Churchill's parents. Years later when Sir Winston was prime minister of England, he was stricken with pneumonia. Greatly concerned, the king summoned the best physician who could be found to the bedside of the ailing leader. That doctor was Sir Alexander Fleming, the developer of penicillin. He was also the son of that gardener who had rescued Winston from drowning as a boy! Later Churchill said, "Rarely, has one man owed his life twice to the same person." Rescuer's Marred Hands - An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy's cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drain pipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck. Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town's wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home. But as they talked, the lad's eyes remained focused on the floor. Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hand from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them. As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man's neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue. And so it is with Jesus. His nail-pierced hands remind us that he has rescued us from sin and its deadly consequences. Rescue the Perishing - One time Fanny Crosby, the blind hymn writer, visited the McAuley Mission in New York. She asked if there was a boy there who had no mother, and "if he would come up and let her lay her hand on his head." A motherless fellow came up, and she put her arms about him and kissed him. She went from that meeting and wrote: "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave, Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen, Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save." Some time later, when Mr. Sankey was about to sing this song in St. Louis, he related the incident. A man sprang to his feet in the audience and said, "I am the boy she kissed that night. I was never able to get away from the impression made by that touching act, I have become a Christian." When the Word Dawned - When Dr. Willis R. Hotchkiss went to Central Africa, he had great trouble to find a word that would explain to them the Saviour who died to save them. Over two years had passed, but this magic word "Saviour" he could not translate clearly and adequately. One night he was sitting with some of the natives around their campfire, when Kikuvi, the most intelligent of the natives, began to tell about Mr. Krieger, who had been attacked by a lion and badly torn. Kikuvi had come to his rescue and had driven the lion away. Kikuvi modestly said, "Bwana nukuthaniwan na Kikuvi [The master was saved by Kikuvi]." The missionary leaped for joy. At last he had heard the precious word. He immediately changed the verb from the passive to the active form, and said, "Ukuthania Bwana? [You saved the master?]" This proving correct, the missionary said: "Why, Kikuvi, this is the word I have been trying to get you to tell me these many days, because I wanted to tell why Jesus, the Son of God, came to this earth." "Oh," Kikuvi interrupted, his black face lighting up as he turned to the missionary: "I see it now. I understand! Jesus came to kuthania [save] us from our sins, and to deliver us from the hands of Muima [Satan.]" The moment the word "Saviour" had dawned on his darkened vision, all the scattered fragments of truth that had been floating through his mind became one glorious revelation. (Union Seminary Magazine) Lawrence Lemieux: Rescue the Perishing (as told by Rob Morgan) - One of the most incredible stories coming from the Olympics occurred during the 1988 games in Seoul, South Korea. There was a young competitor there whose whole life had been in pursuit of an Olympic medal. The 1988 games represented his best chance. He was a Canadian named Lawrence Lemieux, and his event was in sailing. Off the coast of Korea, he was racing for the Gold. The sea was stormy and rough, but Lemieux was in second place with an excellent shot at first. Suddenly his attention was drawn aside by an overturned boat, and he saw a sailor draped over the hull, desperately trying to hold on. Another sailor was bobbing in the water. The tides and winds were pushing both men further out to sea. They were Olympians, too, and were competing in another event. The man who was draped over the overturned hull of the boat had cut his hand in the accident and was rapidly losing strength. The crewman in the water was drifting away from the boat and going down. Lemieux had a heart-rending decision to make. If he didn’t stop to help the men, they would likely drown; but if he did stop and help them he would lose his lifelong dream of winning an Olympic Gold Medal. Well, it might have been a heart-rending decision, but it didn’t take the young champion long to make it. He turned his boat toward into the screaming wind and paddled toward the desperate men. As he approached the man who was thrashing in the water, the man gasped, “Please help me! I can’t last much longer.” “Grab onto my boat when I come past you,” said Lemieux. “I can’t,” said the man. “I hurt my back and I can’t pull myself up into your boat.” Lawrence leaned over and grabbed the man’s vest and tried to haul him aboard, but the effort almost capsized the little craft. “Just try to hold on until we get to your boat,” shouted Lemieux. Somehow he managed to navigate his boat through the crashing waves and he managed to rescue the other man as well. He held them both until a patrol boat arrived. But the delay cost him any chance he had of winning an Olympic medal. He resumed the race, but finished in 21st place. In its place, the International Olympic Committee awarded him The Fair Play Award of the 1988 games in Seoul. And when he returned home, the members of Northwood Presbyterian Church in Spokane, Washington, had a special medal cast for him and draped it around his neck while the Canadian National Anthem was played. He told the congregation, “You spend your whole lifetime trying to achieve a goal, and my goal was winning a gold medal. I didn’t win a gold medal, but I won something more valuable—the love you’ve shown me here today.” While everyone else in the world is trying to win medals, accomplish goals, accumulate prizes, and achieve status, we have only one mission, don’t we—to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. (Going for Gold- A Sermon About the Olympics) This one life will soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Galatians 1:5 to Whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. NET Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen. GNT Galatians 1:5 ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν. NLT Galatians 1:5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. KJV Galatians 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ESV Galatians 1:5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. ASV Galatians 1:5 to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. CSB Galatians 1:5 To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. NIV Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. NKJ Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. NRS Galatians 1:5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. YLT Galatians 1:5 to whom is the glory to the ages of the ages. Amen. NAB Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. NJB Galatians 1:5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. GWN Galatians 1:5 Glory belongs to our God and Father forever! Amen. BBE Galatians 1:5 To whom be the glory for ever and ever. So be it. whom : 1Ch 29:13 Ps 41:13 Ps 72:19 Isa 24:15 42:12 Mt 6:13 Lk 2:14 Ro 11:36 16:27 Eph 1:12 Php 4:20 1Ti 1:17 2Ti 4:18 Heb 13:21 1Pe 5:11 2Pe 3:18 Jude 1:25 Rev 4:9-11 5:12 7:12 14:7 Amen: Mt 28:20) Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TO GOD BE THE GLORY Paul lived to glorify God and called us to do the same writing Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31) As Hansen says "With the wonder of God's amazing grace in full view, it's time to sing a doxology to God." (Ibid) Will Metzger - In a God-centered gospel, grace is central—God is exalted at every point.

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Wuest observes "that would have indicated that the Galatians had actually and finally turned against grace and had come to a settled attitude in the matter. The mind of Paul wavers between fear and hope as to the outcome. Paul was trying desperately to arrest the progress of this new doctrinal infection if he could. The Judaizers had not yet achieved any decisive success, although the Galatians were disposed to lend a ready ear to their insinuations." (Wuest) Rob Salvato says "To turn away from the true gospel is always to turn away from the Person of Jesus Christ. Christianity is not just a truth to be learned, but a person to be experienced." (Sermon)

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Wuest writes that this is "a person for a definite purpose. Hence, it is synonymous with to select or choose. It refers to the act of calling someone so that he may hear, come, and do that which is incumbent upon him. It thus is a word that becomes a technical term for special relationships. In secular Greek it was used of a summons in the law courts. It denotes in the New Testament a call from God or in God’s Name, a call to participate in the revelation of grace. Paul’s use of the word in general suggests that he thought of those only as called who obeyed the divine summons. Of a rejected call he never speaks."(Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 1 Peter 1:15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; Romans 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Related Resource: What is the effectual calling/call? By the grace - This is literally "in the grace" (of Christ) which is "locative of sphere" signifying that God's call to the Galatians was in the sphere ("atmosphere") of grace, of unmerited favor! Wuest goes on to explain that when God "effectually summoned them to a participation in the salvation procured by His Son on the Cross, it was on a basis, not of works, but of a salvation unmerited by them and freely bestowed, offered out of the pure generosity and love of the heart of God, with no strings tied to it, offered as a free gift to be accepted by the outstretched hand of faith. This put the Galatians in a position in relationship to God in which they were the objects of His everlasting favor. In speaking of the change of position on the part of the Galatians, it would be more natural for Paul to refer to the state in which God’s call they are or should be than to emphasize the basis or instrument of God’s call. The Galatians were abandoning the position of grace, the relation toward God which made them the objects of the grace of Christ and participants in its benefits, to put themselves under law which could only award them their sad desserts." (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Grace (favor) (5485)(charis from from chairo = to rejoice. English = charity. Beggars need "charity" even as sinners need grace, for we are all spiritual paupers outside of Christ, but "God gives where he finds empty hands"-Augustine [cp Mt 5:3+]) in simple terms is God's unmerited favor and supernatural enablement and empowerment for salvation and for daily sanctification. Grace is everything for nothing to those who don't deserve anything. Grace is what every man needs, what none can earn and what God Alone can and does freely give (see Ro 8:32+ where "freely give" is charizomai from charis = a grace gift!). Grace addresses man's sin, while mercy addresses man's misery. The gift of grace makes men fit for salvation, miraculously making separated strangers into God's beloved sons (1Th 1:4+, 1Jn 3:1+). MacArthur makes an excellent point - The Judaizers who plagued the early church claimed to be Christians, and much of their doctrine was orthodox. They must have recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah and even acknowledged the value of His sacrificial death on the cross—otherwise they would never have gotten a hearing in the church. They claimed to believe all the truths that other Christians believed. They did not purport to overtly deny the gospel but to improve it by adding the requirements, ceremonies, and standards of the Old Covenant to the New. But anything added to grace destroys it just as surely as does anything taken from it. When law—even God's own law—is added to His grace, His grace ceases to be grace (cf. Rom. 11:6). The most destructive dangers to the church have never been atheism, pagan religions, or cults that openly deny Scripture, but rather supposedly Christian movements that accept so much biblical truth that their unscriptural doctrines seem relatively insignificant and harmless. But a single drop of poison in a large container can make all the water lethal. And a single false idea that in any way undercuts God's grace poisons the whole system of belief. MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Galatians For a different gospel - Amplified = "to a different [even an opposition] gospel." Barclay = "a gospel which in point of fact is not another gospel at all" Wuest = "to a message of good news diametrically opposed to the gospel." (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) Different ((2087)(heteros) refers qualitatively to another of a different kind, not identical with what was previously referred to. The true gospel is centered on "the grace of Christ." This "heteros" "gospel" was not "good news" but was in fact bad news! As Pastor Rob Morgan said "Don’t be misled by a forgery. Only the original saves our souls." James Denney adds that "As there is only one God, so there can be only one gospel." Brian Bell - We don’t have a different gospel today…we have 50 of them...We have the Me Gospel. The money Gospel. The Gospel of do do do. The Gospel of anything goes. The progressive Gospel (i.e. salvation is a process). The pick yourself up by your boot-straps Gospel. NONE of Paul’s letters start with what we need to do for God. Instead, always begins w/what God has already done. To get this the other way around is to miss the gospel....The gospel focuses on Jesus’ performance for us, not our performance for Him. On what He’s done, not on what we can do....And now, because Jesus is Extraordinary, we are free to be ordinary; Because Jesus is Someone, we are free to be no-one; Because Jesus Succeeded, we are free to fail (Quoting Tullian Tchividjian). (Sermon) Roy Gustafson - Religion is the story of what a sinful man tries to do for a holy God; the gospel is the story of what a holy God has done for sinful men. Vance Havner -The gospel makes some people sad, some mad and some glad. It is better that people should go out of church mad than merely go out, neither sad, mad, nor glad. C S Lewis made an interesting statement that "One of the great difficulties is to keep before the audience's mind the question of Truth. They always think you are recommending Christianity not because it is true but because it is good." Wuest - Arthur S. Way in his excellent translation of Galatians renders heteros gospel, an opposition gospel...an alternative gospel. Thus, the Galatians were turning to an "opposition gospel" diametrically opposed to Paul’s message of grace, and this opposition gospel was not an alternative one! (Word Studies) Butler - Any theology that requires one to do good works or be baptized or circumcised or be a church member to be saved is legalism and is condemned in Scripture. Paul alludes to the effects of this "different" graceless, powerless Gospel several times in this letter Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal 3:3+) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? (Gal 4:9+) You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? (Gal 5:7+) Gospel (2098)(euaggelion from eú = good + aggéllo = proclaim, tell) is literally good news or glad tidings. In secular Greek it originally referred to a reward for good news and later became the good news itself. The word euaggelion was commonly used in the first century as our words "good news" today. The idea then and now is something like this - “Have you any good news (euaggelion) for me today?” This was a common question in the ancient world. Euaggelion in Galatians - note that Paul "frontloads" this epistle with the word "gospel" - Gal. 1:6; Gal. 1:7; Gal. 1:11; Gal. 2:2; Gal. 2:5; Gal. 2:7; Gal. 2:14. Swindoll - (Their desertion) could be compared to your rearing your children in a healthy environment. They grow up in your home, and because it is a good home, they develop a security and a stability as they pick up your authenticity and unguarded lifestyle. They communicate openly and freely. They learn how to confront and handle problems. In short, they learn the basics of real living . . . which include knowing Christ and loving God and walking with Him and relating well to one another—all those things that represent integrity, vulnerability, authenticity. Once they grow up, they move far away. Time passes and you begin to miss them, so after three or four years you go visit them. You’re shocked! You find them living cramped, closed, dirty, and emotionally crippled lives. You’re amazed to find them struggling with problems, evidencing negative attitudes; they’re even suicidal. Naturally you ask, “Who got to you? Who twisted your mind? What’s happened over these past few years?” It is with that same kind of passion that Paul writes his concern to his Galatian friends. (The grace awakening: believing in grace is one thing. living it is another)

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Wuest - Anathema cannot refer here to ecclesiastical excommunication, for angels are included. The epistles of Paul attach to the word the idea of spiritual death. Its use in Romans 9:3 where Paul says that he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren’s sake, associates it with the further idea of separation from Christ and destruction for all eternity, which is the fate of the unsaved. The word does not, like excommunication, pronounce a judicial sentence on particular convicted offenders, but solemnly affirms general laws of the spiritual kingdom. In I Corinthians 16:22, those who love not the Lord Jesus are declared to be outcasts from the Faith. (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) Vos points out: Just as Paul called down a curse on any who added to the requirements of the gospel, so John hurled a curse at those who added or subtracted from the message of Revelation (see Rev 22:18-19). (Galatians- Everyman's Bible Commentary: A Call to Christian Liberty) Jerry Bridges - Paul reacted against all forms of legalism with force and focus, calling for those who teach such lies to “be accursed” (Gal. 1:8–9) and even wishing that those who were unsettling the Galatian Christians would “emasculate themselves” (Gal. 5:12). This is strong language. But such attacks by Paul do not seem shocking when we pause to consider what is at stake. By substituting man centered performance as the basis for acquiring righteousness, the very essence and foundation of redemptive truth is compromised. (The Great Exchange) James Montgomery

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Wuest - In fact, even if we or a messenger from heaven should preach a gospel to you which goes beyond that which we preached to you as good news, let him be accursed. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell! GNT Galatians 1:9 ὡς προειρήκαμεν καὶ ἄρτι πάλιν λέγω, εἴ τις ὑμᾶς εὐαγγελίζεται παρ᾽ ὃ παρελάβετε, ἀνάθεμα ἔστω. NLT Galatians 1:9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed. KJV Galatians 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. ESV Galatians 1:9 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 accursed. ASV Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. CSB Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! NIV Galatians 1:9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! NKJ Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. NRS Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! YLT Galatians 1:9 as we have said before, and now say again, If any one to you may proclaim good news different from what ye did receive -- anathema let him be! NAB Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed! NJB Galatians 1:9 I repeat again what we declared before: anyone who preaches to you a gospel other than the one you were first given is to be under God's curse. GWN Galatians 1:9 I'm now telling you again what we've told you in the past: If anyone tells you good news that is different from the Good News you received, that person should be condemned to hell. BBE Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man is a preacher to you of any good news other than that which has been given to you, let there be a curse on him. so: 2Co 1:17 13:1,2 Php 3:1 4:4 Contrary: Dt 4:2 Dt 12:32 Dt 13:1-11 Pr 30:6 Rev 22:18,19 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL PRESENTS A REAL SITUATION The conclusion of the hypothetical and the real proclamations of a false gospel is the same - eternal punishment! As Max Anders said "Ditto! Paul repeated his curse for effect." As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! - Now Paul turns from the hypothetical to the reality. In other words now the "IF" (ei) introduces a first class conditional statement which assumes that the condition that is described is true. That is, "any man" or "anyone" was in fact preaching a gospel contrary or in direct opposition to the gospel that Paul had preached and they had received. And just as in the hypothetical passage above, this person's condemnation was the same for he would "be doomed to eternal punishment" (Amplified). Howard Vos offers an excellent explanation writing that "On the face of it, verse 9 seems to be largely a repetition of the curse enunciated in verse 8. But there are important differences. In verse 8 the subjunctive is used—“should preach.” In verse 9 the Greek suggests that at least one person is actually preaching this false gospel. Another difference is that in verse 9 Paul observes, “As we said before.” This is too emphatic to refer to the previous verse and is assumed to refer to the apostle’s last visit among them. At that time he felt the need of warning them against possible false teaching which apparently had not yet actually come among them. Moreover, while verse 8 refers to Paul’s preaching among them, verse 9 alludes to their reception of his message. So this verse is really quite strong language. It recalls the apostle’s warning in person (ON HIS FIRST VISIT) of impending apostasy, alludes to an actual outbreak of heretical teaching among them, reminds them of their genuine reception of the truth at his hands, and pronounces a curse on the false teachers who are subverting them." (Galatians- Everyman's Bible Commentary: A Call to Christian Liberty) We have said before (prolego from pro = before + lego = to say, declare) means literally to say before, to foretell or predict, to speak in advance. Most commentators feel that the use of prolego here in Gal 1:9 was not referring to what he had just stated in Gal 1:8 but what he had said to the Galatians before about the dangers of a false gospel and the destruction decreed to those who propounded it. Furthermore, Paul used the perfect tense, which points to the abiding authority of that say previously-what Paul had said in the past still stands. Paul uses prolego later in this letter in a different context writing " envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:21+) As W E Vine explains that Paul had told them before of the consequence (OF THE HABITUAL PRACTICE OF THE SINS IN Gal 5:19-21) and was now repeating his warning, as leaving no possible room for doubt or misunderstanding." To what you received - The Galatians had not just blandly accepted Paul's teaching on the Gospel of Christ, but they actually welcomed it or received it with favor as one would a guest. Received (3880)(paralambano from para = beside + lambano = appropriate, receive) means to receive from another, to receive alongside or to take to oneself and so into close association. Paralambano also means to receive as authoritative teaching what was passed on. Paul uses this same verb paralambano in Gal 1:12 writing (regarding his reception of the Gospel) "I neither received it from man...but...through a revelation of Jesus Christ." Paul was Jesus' "sent one" (apostle) and so in obedience to His Lord, he took the same message he received by divine revelation and the Galatians in turn received it gladly from him. In sum, the Galatians had appropriated Paul's Gospel for themselves, even as a host in the Middle East would extend a warm welcome to a guest. Think about the recipients of this letter. Do you think that with this repetition of the curse who help them begin to sense that Paul was passionate about the Gospel of Christ? Surely this would have grabbed their attention, so that they would read the rest of the letter with a sense of sobriety and maybe even a bit of the fear of the Lord! He is to be accursed - As in Gal 1:8 Paul again issues a command and the verb is to be (esto) is in the present imperative which is a command that this individual be eternally condemned to hell. The NET holds nothing back rendering it "let him be condemned to hell!" The NIV is not far behind with "let him be eternally condemned!" As Chuck Swindoll quipped "I don’t think there is any disagreement...the man (PAUL) was hot!" Accursed (331) see preceding discussion of anathema J

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Wuest - For, am I at this present moment seeking to win the favor of men rather than the approval of God? Or, am I making it my business to be constantly pleasing men? If I still were pleasing men, in that case Christ’s bondslave I would not be. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ! GNT Galatians 1:10 Ἄρτι γὰρ ἀνθρώπους πείθω ἢ τὸν θεόν; ἢ ζητῶ ἀνθρώποις ἀρέσκειν; εἰ ἔτι ἀνθρώποις ἤρεσκον, Χριστοῦ δοῦλος οὐκ ἂν ἤμην. NLT Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. KJV Galatians 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. ESV Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. ASV Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. CSB Galatians 1:10 For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. NIV Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. NKJ Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. NRS Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. YLT Galatians 1:10 for now men do I persuade, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if yet men I did please -- Christ's servant I should not be. NAB Galatians 1:10 Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. NJB Galatians 1:10 Whom am I trying to convince now, human beings or God? Am I trying to please human beings? If I were still doing that I should not be a servant of Christ. GWN Galatians 1:10 Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant. BBE Galatians 1:10 Am I now using arguments to men, or God? or is it my desire to give men pleasure? if I was still pleasing men, I would not be a servant of Christ. now: Ac 4:19,20 5:29 2Co 5:9-11 1Th 2:4 seeking favor: 1Sa 21:7 Mt 28:14 Ac 12:20 Ro 2:8: 1Jn 3:9 seek: 2Co 12:19 1Th 2:4 for if: Mt 22:16 Ro 15:1,2 1Co 10:33 Eph 6:6 Col 3:22 Jas 4:4 bondservant: Ro 1:1 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL BEGINS DEFENDING PAUL He begins by explaining his motivation for doing what he is doing. In Galatians 1:10-12 Paul presents some general credentials of his apostleship and message, and in Galatians 1:13-24 he unfolds autobiographical credentials that include preconversion, conversion, and postconversion proofs of his legitimacy. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Galatians) For (gar) is a term of explanation (always stop and determine "What is being explained?" See term of explanation). In this case "For introduces a justification of the severe language just used." (Marvin Vincent) He is going to justify why he is speaking to them so strongly even calling for a curse of condemnation! Paul was not a politician; he was an ambassador. --Warren Wiersbe For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? - "Is what I have just now said a sample of men-pleasing, of which I am accused?" (Jamieson) Paul's question is rhetorical. Of course he is not striving to please men but God! Everything He did was with the perspective that God was His audience, an audience of One! "Men-pleasers simply do not hurl anathemas against those who proclaim false gospels. Indeed, if the apostle had wanted to please men, he would have remained a zealous Pharisee and promoter of the Law rather than becoming a servant of Christ" (BKC) Clearly Paul was not (like so many today) concerned about his "Approval Ratings!" Leon

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Wuest - For I make known to you, brethren, the message which was announced as good news by me, that it is not as to its nature, human. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:11 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. GNT Galatians 1:11 Γνωρίζω γὰρ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τὸ εὐαγγελισθὲν ὑπ᾽ ἐμοῦ ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον· NLT Galatians 1:11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. KJV Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. ESV Galatians 1:11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. ASV Galatians 1:11 For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. CSB Galatians 1:11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not based on human thought. NIV Galatians 1:11 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. NKJ Galatians 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. NRS Galatians 1:11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; YLT Galatians 1:11 And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that were proclaimed by me, that it is not according to man, NAB Galatians 1:11 Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. NJB Galatians 1:11 Now I want to make it quite clear to you, brothers, about the gospel that was preached by me, that it was no human message. GWN Galatians 1:11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Good News I have spread is not a human message. BBE Galatians 1:11 Because I say to you, my brothers, that the good news of which I was the preacher is not man's. that: Gal 1:1 1Co 2:9,10, 1Cor 11:23 1Cor 15:1-3 Eph 3:3-8 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries John Brown's exposition of Gal 1:11 John Eadie's exposition of Gal 1:11 PAUL THE CPA "Certified Public Apostle" In verse 10 the MOTIVATION for Paul’s ministry is: “[He is] a bondslave of Christ.” The MESSAGE which he preaches according to verse 11 was: NEGATIVELY—“NOT AFTER MAN.” Now in verses 11 & 12 he deals with the MESSAGE which he preaches—How he got his “MESSAGE.” (Anderson) As

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Wuest - For, as for myself, neither did I receive it directly from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation given me by Jesus Christ. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ. GNT Galatians 1:12 οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐγὼ παρὰ ἀνθρώπου παρέλαβον αὐτὸ οὔτε ἐδιδάχθην ἀλλὰ δι᾽ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. NLT Galatians 1:12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ. KJV Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. ESV Galatians 1:12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ASV Galatians 1:12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. CSB Galatians 1:12 For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation from Jesus Christ. NIV Galatians 1:12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. NKJ Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. NRS Galatians 1:12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. YLT Galatians 1:12 for neither did I from man receive it, nor was I taught it, but through a revelation of Jesus Christ, NAB Galatians 1:12 For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ. NJB Galatians 1:12 It was not from any human being that I received it, and I was not taught it, but it came to me through a revelation of Jesus Christ. GWN Galatians 1:12 I didn't receive it from any person. I wasn't taught it, but Jesus Christ revealed it to me. BBE Galatians 1:12 For I did not get it from man, and I was not given teaching in it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries John Brown's exposition of Gal 1:12 John Eadie's exposition of Gal 1:12) THE GOSPEL: RECEIVED NOT CONCEIVED! For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ - This verse is straightforward. Regarding the Gospel Paul preached, no man gave it to him or taught him, but it came from a direct "Coram Deo" (before the face of God) encounter. I - This is the specific pronoun ego which adds emphasis (because a separate pronoun was not needed for the verb received which by itself is translated "I received.") (More discussion by John Brown) Wuest adds that "Paul uses the personal pronoun here to show that he is laying emphasis upon the special education he had received for his ministry of the gospel. He had not, like his converts, learnt it from human teachers (THEY HAD LEARNED IT FROM HIM), but by direct communion with God, as the Twelve had learnt it from Christ’s teaching. Paul is studiously careful to show his independence of the Twelve....The entire tenor of this section indicates that Paul’s commission had been declared inferior to that of the Twelve, and that he had this in view when he was defending his apostleship from the attacks of the Judaizers. (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) John Stott - This is why Paul dared to call the gospel he preached ‘my gospel’ (cf. Ro 16:25). It was not ‘his’ because he had made it up but because it had been uniquely revealed to him. The magnitude of his claim is remarkable. He is affirming that his message is not his message but God’s message, that his gospel is not his gospel but God’s gospel, that his words are not his words but God’s words. Neither (oude)...Nor (oute) are the strongest Greek words for negating what follows. He absolutely denied reception from a man (e.g., he had heard Stephen's sermon in Acts 7) or teaching by a man. The gospel of Christ is not a gospel "after man." As as aside many consider Paul to be the author of Hebrews but Galatians 1:12 would seem to weigh against that premise. Why? Let's look at Hebrews 2:3+ which says "After it (the gospel) was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to US by those who heard." In Galatians Paul claims direct revelation from Jesus. The US in Hebrews seems to refer to a second generation, those who heard it from the apostles. Those who hold to Pauline authorship of Hebrews say that this is just an editorial “US.” While possible, it certainly introduces some doubt that Paul wrote Hebrews. Harrison comments on the contrasting "but" - Paul's repeated "but" carries the antithesis of a crisis experience. No trends here; no groping for something better. He knows himself taken out of the column of self-effort (Php 3:3) and flesh-confidence to the column of God's beneficiaries in the bestowment of His righteousness. It was a clear-cut break with OUR SIDE over to HIS SIDE. Comment: As an aside, always take time to study the terms of contrast (but, yet, on the other hand) - Observe carefully and interrogate the text (interrogate with the 5W/H questions), asking questions like what the writer is contrasting? why now? how does it impact the flow of the argument? when does it occur? who is being contrasted? etc. Received (3880)(paralambano) speaks of communication received directly from another. - See other use of paralambano in Gal 1:9. For this reason (Stop! Always ask "What reason?" which will force you to re-read preceding context) I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- if indeed you have heard of the stewardship (Paul was "appointed manager" over the Gospel and knew he would be held accountable one day by the "Owner", his Master, Jesus Christ! Talk about motivation!) of God's grace (The Message of the Gospel of Grace, the same one he had preached in Galatia) which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery (believing Jews and Gentiles would be equal heirs in the one body of Christ, the Church), as I wrote before in brief. (Eph 3:1-3)

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Wuest - Revelation therefore is the act of God the Holy Spirit uncovering to the Bible writers truth incapable of being discovered by man’s unaided reason, this revelation being accompanied by the imparted ability to understand what is uncovered. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Criswell: "This message is a sermon on dogmatism, on finality, on authoritarianism, which is an unusual message to hear today in the midst of our studied broad-minded liberalism... The revelation of the Lord is not double-faced nor is it deceptively speculative. It is not as though we were selecting opinions. It is not as though we were in dilemmas choosing theories. It is not as though we were listening to blind, metaphysical gropings. The sound of the trumpet is clear in the Word of God. It is final. It is superlative, never comparative. The authoritarianism of the Gospel! 'My brethren, though I or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than ye have heard, anathama 'Let him be accursed.' One faith, one Lord, one baptism, one God and Father for us all, one Book, one way -- just one!" (Quote from Paul Apple) Luther says: This passage constitutes Paul’s chief defense against the accusations of his opponents. He maintains under oath that he received his Gospel not from men, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1 Commentary) Of Jesus Christ - That is to say Jesus Christ was the One who did the revealing of the Gospel to Paul (but see the technical note below). Paul attributes his Gospel to the highest authority possible, the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, he had heard Stephen's great speech in Acts 7 and he had had contact with other believers like Ananias and Barnabas but he did not credit them with having revealed the Gospel to him. TECHNICAL NOTE ON OF JESUS CHRIST - If it ("of Jesus Christ") is a subjective genitive, the meaning is "a revelation from Jesus Christ" but if objective genitive, it is "a revelation about Jesus Christ." Most likely this is objective since the explanation in Galatians 1:15–16 mentions God revealing the Son to Paul so that he might preach, although the idea of a direct revelation to Paul at some point cannot be ruled out. (NET Note) ADDENDUM - I would add that it is notable that several translations are rendered in a way that favors this revelation coming FROM Jesus Christ, rather than being a revelation ABOUT Jesus Christ. (See these translations above - Amplified, Wuest, NLT, CSB, NIV). So we cannot be dogmatic and in a sense both "from" and "about" are true. Martin Luther - “Paul did not receive instruction from Ananias. Paul had already been called, enlightened, and taught by Christ in the road. His contact with Ananias was merely a testimonial to the fact that Paul had been called by Christ to preach the gospel.” (Galatians 1 Commentary) The question naturally arises when did Paul received this revelation from Jesus? Most commentators favor that the time of this revelation of the gospel of grace to Paul was during his sojourn in Arabia (Gal 1:17) which served to supplement his initial revelation on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:3-22+). Recall that in Gal 1:1 Paul had asserted the divine origin of his apostolic mission and now adds that his message was also of divine origin. Neither his mission nor his message had been from man, but both were from God! God also spoke to Paul at Corinth (Acts 18:9+), at Jerusalem (Acts 23:11+), and even in the instructions concerning the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:23). John

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Wuest - For you heard of my manner of life aforetime in Judaism, that beyond measure I kept on continually persecuting the Church of God and continually bringing destruction upon it, (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. GNT Galatians 1:13 Ἠκούσατε γὰρ τὴν ἐμὴν ἀναστροφήν ποτε ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ, ὅτι καθ᾽ ὑπερβολὴν ἐδίωκον τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐπόρθουν αὐτήν, NLT Galatians 1:13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion-- how I violently persecuted God's church. I did my best to destroy it. KJV Galatians 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: ESV Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ASV Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and made havoc of it: CSB Galatians 1:13 For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I persecuted God's church to an extreme degree and tried to destroy it. NIV Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. NKJ Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. NRS Galatians 1:13 You have heard, no doubt, of my earlier life in Judaism. I was violently persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it. YLT Galatians 1:13 for ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it, NAB Galatians 1:13 For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, NJB Galatians 1:13 You have surely heard how I lived in the past, within Judaism, and how there was simply no limit to the way I persecuted the Church of God in my attempts to destroy it; GWN Galatians 1:13 You heard about the way I once lived when I followed the Jewish religion. You heard how I violently persecuted God's church and tried to destroy it. BBE Galatians 1:13 For news has come to you of my way of life in the past in the Jews' religion, how I was cruel without measure to the church of God, and did great damage to it: You have heard: Ac 22:3-5 Acts 26:4,5 how Ac 8:1,3 9:1,2,13,14,21,26 22:4,5 26:9-11 1Co 15:9 Php 3:6 1Ti 1:13) John Brown's exposition of Gal 1:13 John Eadie's exposition of Gal 1:13 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PRE-CONVERSION EVENTS IN PAUL'S LIFE - PART 1 For (gar) (term of explanation) - This "formally commences the historical proof." Don Anderson summarizes it this way - Whereas we have witnessed: his MOTIVATION in Galatians 1:10, his MESSAGE in Galatians 1:11-12, now we consider his MANNER OF LIFE in Galatians 1:13 and following. (Notes) Bickel & Jantz note that "What Paul does next is a great example for the rest of us to follow. When someone questions the things we are saying about Jesus, we need to do what Paul does here and tell our story, specifically how Jesus converted us from our former life and called us to Himself. (Galatians: Walking in God's Grace) J. C.

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Wuest - Paul’s argument in this verse is that his early education is a proof that he did not receive the gospel from man. He was brought up in a rigid school of ritualism directly opposed to the liberty of the gospel. He was a staunch adherent of the principles of that school, and as such, relentlessly persecuted the Christian Church. No human agency could therefore have brought about the change. It required the direct interposition of God. (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament)

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Wuest - the Judaism with which Paul was acquainted and in which his life had been immersed, was apostate. He knew nothing before his conversion, of the supernatural Judaism in which the Levitical sacrifices were the outward expression of an inward faith in a coming substitutionary atonement for sin. Judaism in Paul’s time was a mere ethical cult basing salvation on good works, and observing the sacrifices as a mere form. But when he was rethinking the Old Testament economy in the light of the revelations received in Arabia, the supernatural significance of it all opened up to him. But in this verse he is speaking of the apostate Judaism of his early life. (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) Manner of life (conduct) (391)(anastrophe from ana = again + strepho = to turn) literally describes a turning around or turning back and is used figuratively to refer to one's conduct, especially focusing on daily behavior and general deportment. The point is that Paul had explained his history as a persecutor of the church to the Galatians. They were able to bear personal testimony to the miraculous before and after transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No one among the Christians would question Saul’s zeal with regard to his persecution of the church. He not only was persecuting, but he was also bringing destruction upon the church of God. Paul found himself in his former days of Judaism consumed with a cause. That cause was crushing Christianity. Howard Vos comments that Paul "goes on to show why his former life could not be a preparation for present ministry by way of a declaration of what he used to do. “Persecuted,” “wasted,” and “profited” (I was advancing - Gal 1:13) are all in the Greek imperfect tense, indicating the long continuance of this mode of life. He kept on earnestly pursuing the church and kept on wasting it. Violent in his opposition to believers in Jerusalem (Acts 9:13), he was even responsible for the death of some (Acts 26:11). But his persecuting efforts extended to other towns besides Jerusalem, and Paul was on the way to Damascus to persecute believers there when God met him and changed his whole pattern of life (Acts 26:12-18) (Galatians- Everyman's Bible Commentary: A Call to Christian Liberty) Persecute (1377)(dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. It means to chase, harass, vex and pressure and was used for chasing down criminals. Dioko speaks of an intensity of effort leading to a pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain. To go after with the desire of obtaining or in Gal 1:13 the desire was to harm. Dio gives us a picture of hounds on the hunt, relentlessly tracking and pursuing their victim (fox). Paul uses the imperfect tense which speaks of his persecution of the church as relentless (over and over, again and again) up to the time of his conversion. Paul was not a sporadic but persistent persecutor of the Church and thus of Jesus! (cf Acts 9:4-5+) John

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Wuest - and I was constantly blazing a pioneer path, outstripping in Judaism many of my own age in my race, being more exceedingly zealous of my ancestral traditions. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. GNT Galatians 1:14 καὶ προέκοπτον ἐν τῷ Ἰουδαϊσμῷ ὑπὲρ πολλοὺς συνηλικιώτας ἐν τῷ γένει μου, περισσοτέρως ζηλωτὴς ὑπάρχων τῶν πατρικῶν μου παραδόσεων. NLT Galatians 1:14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. KJV Galatians 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. ESV Galatians 1:14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ASV Galatians 1:14 and I advanced in the Jews' religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. CSB Galatians 1:14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. NIV Galatians 1:14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. NKJ Galatians 1:14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. NRS Galatians 1:14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. YLT Galatians 1:14 and I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances, NAB Galatians 1:14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. NJB Galatians 1:14 and how, in Judaism, I outstripped most of my Jewish contemporaries in my limitless enthusiasm for the traditions of my ancestors. GWN Galatians 1:14 You also heard how I was far ahead of other Jews in my age group in following the Jewish religion. I had become that fanatical for the traditions of my ancestors. BBE Galatians 1:14 And I went farther in the Jews' religion than a number of my generation among my countrymen, having a more burning interest in the beliefs handed down from my fathers. advancing: Isa 29:13 57:12 being: Ac 22:3 26:5,9 Php 3:4-6 traditions: Jer 15:2 Mt 15:2,3,6 Mk 7:3-13 Col 2:8 1Pe 1:8 John Brown's exposition of Gal 1:14 John Eadie's exposition of Gal 1:14 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PRE-CONVERSION EVENTS IN PAUL'S LIFE - PART 2 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen - "I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism" (Amplified) Wuest has "I was constantly blazing a pioneer path, outstripping in Judaism many of my own age in my race." Advancing(4298)(prokopto from pró = before or forward + kópto = cut) means literally to cut forward or cut down in front. The idea is to remove the obstacles from a road so that straight and uninterrupted progress is possible. Saul kept "cutting his way forward" or "chopping ahead" (imperfect tense over and over, again and again) through Judaism as a pioneer who was cutting down a forest and would let nothing stand in his path, especially Jewish Christians, who he sought to "chop down" so to speak!

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Wuest has an interesting note on fathers (ancestral) - The use of the word fathers makes it clear that Paul is not referring here to the Mosaic law, but to the instruction received from previous generations. This point is very important. Had Paul lived in his unsaved state in the thought world of the Mosaic economy instead of having his thinking dominated by the Pharisaic traditions, his act of receiving Christ as Saviour would have had some reasonable background, for the Mosaic institutions pointed to a need for Christ and also to the Christ who was needed, the moral law serving the first purpose, the Levitical sacrifices, the second. But Paul is at pains to show his Galatian converts that his salvation and his appointment to the apostleship broke completely with all his background and all his traditions. (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Zealous (2207)(zelotes from zeloo = be zealous from zeo = to boil) describes one "burning" with zeal, stirred to action by strong emotions. Used in Lxx to describe God (Ex 20:5, Dt 4:24). This word included the idea of defending and upholding some cause or vehemently contending for a thing . Zelotes was uses of being zealous for the Law (Acts 22:3+). It is interesting that Paul uses zelotes (only 6x in NT - Acts 21:20; 22:3; 1 Co. 14:12; Gal. 1:14; Titus 2:14; 1 Pe 3:13) in Titus 2:14+ writing of Jesus "Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Before he met Christ Paul was zealous for the wrong kind of works (works that sought to merit God's approval) but after being transformed by the Gospel, he advocated being zealous for good deeds, for such deeds glorify the Father (Mt 5:16+). Zealous - means intense emotion compelling action and implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause. Passionate ardor in pursuit of anything. Excessive zeal may rise to enthusiasm. In general, zeal is an eagerness of desire to accomplish or obtain some object, and it may be manifested either in favor of any person or thing, or in opposition to it, and in a good or bad cause. Zealous speaks of filled with fervent or enthusiastic devotion, often extreme or fanatical in nature. Ancestral traditions (KJV = traditions of my fathers) - These traditions are of the same "genre" which Jesus classified as “the tradition of men," presumably rabbinic exposition of the law which was in conflict with God’s Word and will. The point is that by using the word "ancestral" Paul is making it clear that he is not referring to the Mosaic law. As Jesus stated the manmade traditions were in direct conflict with the Word of God, for He accused his Jewish Pharisees and Scribes, saying that you are "neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." (Mk 7:8)

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Wuest has an interesting note - Had Paul lived in his unsaved state in the thought world of the Mosaic economy instead of having his thinking dominated by the Pharisaic traditions, his act of receiving Christ as Saviour would have had some reasonable background, for the Mosaic institutions pointed to a need for Christ and also to the Christ who was needed, the moral law serving the first purpose, the Levitical sacrifices, the second. But Paul is at pains to show his Galatian converts that his salvation and his appointment to the apostleship broke completely with all his background and all his traditions. (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) Paul gives a good summary in Philippians... Although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee (pharisaios - he was undoubtedly far stricter than his accusers the Judaizers! Paul would not be ignorant of the legalism they were teaching in Galatia!); 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. (Philippians 3:4-6+) Bartlett says: In using the expression, “the traditions of my fathers,” the apostle had reference, not to the Mosaic law as found in the Pentateuch, but to the hedge of more than six hundred human commandments (613) which the old rabbis had built around the law for purposes, as they thought, of protection. Paul’s violence against the Christians was so excessive largely because in his mind the growth of the Church would sound the death knell of the Pharisaiam to which he was so fanatically devoted. (Galatians 1:11-24 - Personal Explanation)

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Wuest - But when it was the good pleasure of the One who set me apart before I was born and called me by His grace (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:15 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased GNT Galatians 1:15 ὅτε δὲ εὐδόκησεν [ὁ θεὸς] ὁ ἀφορίσας με ἐκ κοιλίας μητρός μου καὶ καλέσας διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ NLT Galatians 1:15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him KJV Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, ESV Galatians 1:15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ASV Galatians 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, CSB Galatians 1:15 But when God, who from my birth set me apart and called me by His grace, was pleased NIV Galatians 1:15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased NKJ Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, NRS Galatians 1:15 But when God, who had set me apart before I was born and called me through his grace, was pleased YLT Galatians 1:15 and when God was well pleased -- having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called me through His grace -- NAB Galatians 1:15 But when (God), who from my mother's womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased NJB Galatians 1:15 But when God, who had set me apart from the time when I was in my mother's womb, called me through his grace and chose GWN Galatians 1:15 But God, who appointed me before I was born and who called me by his kindness, was pleased BBE Galatians 1:15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, by whom I was marked out even from my mother's body, through his grace, it: Dt 7:7,8 1Sa 12:22 1Ch 28:4,5 Mt 11:26 Lk 10:21 1Co 1:1 Eph 1:5,9 3:11 who: Isa 49:1,5 Jer 1:5 Lk 1:15,16 Ac 9:15 13:2 22:14,15 Ro 1:1 and: Ro 1:5 Ro 8:30 Ro 9:24 1Co 1:9,24 1Cor 15:10 2Th 2:13,14 1Ti 1:12-14 2Ti 1:9 1Pe 5:10 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD'S CALLING OF PAUL FROM BIRTH But when God, Who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased - Paul now goes from before Christ to after Christ, explaining what God alone had done for him to make this possible. Beloved, we could all put our names on this passage! One thinks of the strategic "but God" in Ephesians 2 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4+ BUT GOD being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Eph 2:1-5+) But when God - (Always ask what God is contrasting. See term of contrast) The contrast with the preceding (Gal 1:13-14) is striking and is reflects God’s intervention in the life of Saul of Tarsus, most graphically described in Acts 9+. And so here Paul alludes to his conversion. Look at some of the other great uses of "but God" - Ge 8:1, 21:12, 48:21, 50:20, Ps 49:15, 73:26, Mk 2:7, Acts 13:30, Ro 5:8, 1Cor 1:27, 3:6-7, 1Cor 7:15, Gal 3:18 and my all time favorite Eph 2:4 (see passage above) Vine on but when - up to this point in Paul’s life all had been of man and by man; now God intervened, and everything was changed. Set me apart even from my mother's womb - After meeting Christ, it became obvious to him that God had sovereignly, providentially set him apart from birth so that his entire life was a preparation to become the greatest proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Clearly Paul did not choose God. God chose Paul for salvation even as He chose him to be His apostle. We see a similar divine choosing in the lives of two OT prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah Isaiah said " The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me." (Isa 49:1) and "formed Me from the womb to be His Servant." (Isa 49:5) Jer 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” In a similar way John the Baptist was called before his conception to be the forerunner of the Messiah But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. 16 “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God. 17 “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:13-17+). Set apart (873)( aphorizo from apó = off from, apart + horízo = place a limitation upon, fix limits around) means to mark off the boundaries, to appoint, set one apart for some purpose. It is used of the final separation of the righteous from the wicked (Matt. 13:49; 25:32); of the separation of the disciples from the world (Luke 6:22+); and of the setting apart of apostles to special functions (Acts 13:2+). Setting apart indicates the separating of an individual for specific service. Paul was set apart to God for His service (cp 2Ti 2:21+ describing men as sanctified by the Master for good works.) Compare “chosen vessel,” Acts 9:15+. Ro 1:1+ Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart (aphorizo) for the gospel of God (Note Paul had a clear delineated purpose).

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Wuest - to give me an inward revelation of His Son in order that I might proclaim Him as glad tidings among the Gentiles, immediately I did not put myself in communication with flesh and blood for the purpose of consultation; (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being, GNT Galatians 1:16 ἀποκαλύψαι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐμοί, ἵνα εὐαγγελίζωμαι αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, εὐθέως οὐ προσανεθέμην σαρκὶ καὶ αἵματι NLT Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. KJV Galatians 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: ESV Galatians 1:16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ASV Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: CSB Galatians 1:16 to reveal His Son in me, so that I could preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone. NIV Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, NKJ Galatians 1:16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, NRS Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with any human being, YLT Galatians 1:16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might proclaim him good news among the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, NAB Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, NJB Galatians 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, so that I should preach him to the gentiles, I was in no hurry to confer with any human being, GWN Galatians 1:16 to show me his Son. He did this so that I would tell people who are not Jewish that his Son is the Good News. When this happened, I didn't talk it over with any other person. BBE Galatians 1:16 To give the revelation of his Son in me, so that I might give the news of him to the Gentiles; then I did not take the opinion of flesh and blood, reveal: Mt 16:17 1Co 2:9-13 2Co 4:6 Eph 1:17,18 3:5-10 that: Ga 2:7-9 Acts 9:15 Acts 22:21 Acts 26:17,18 Ro 1:13,14 Ro 11:13 Ro 15:16-19 Eph 3:1,8 Col 1:25-27 1Th 2:16 1Ti 2:7 2Ti 1:11) immediately: Ga 1:11,12 Gal 2:1,6 Dt 33:9 Lk 9:23-25,59-62 Ac 26:19,20 2Co 5:16 flesh: Mt 16:17 26:41 1Co 15:50 Eph 6:12 Heb 2:14 John Brown's exposition of Gal 1:16 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A REVELATION FOR PROCLAMATION (Was pleased) to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles - The purpose of God's calling Paul was to be on mission to the Gentiles as Jesus explained to Ananias (below). Beloved, for what purpose has God called you? He has a purpose for your life! Will you surrender to Him? Will you fulfill the divine goal for your life? The Bema Seat will assess whether you (and I) have fulfilled God's purpose for our lives (2 Cor 5:10+)! But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Saul/Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”(Ac 9:15-16+) Pleased (eudokeo) to reveal His Son in me (see Acts 9:1-31, esp 9:3-6, Acts 22:21) - This revelation was supernatural, reminiscent of Paul's statement to the Corinthians... 2 Cor 4:6+ For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. To reveal (601)(apokalupto from apó = from + kalúpto = cover - see apokalupsis English = apocalypse) literally means to remove the cover from and so the idea is to remove that which conceals in this Paul's case the truth about Jesus, that He was the Messiah prophesied of throughout the Old Testament, the Redeemer of Israel and his personal Savior. Apokalupto in the NT always refers to some aspect of spiritual truth that was previously hidden but now has had the "lid removed" so that it can be seen and/or understood. Of course the Messiah had been revealed in a sense in over 300 OT prophecies, but for Jews (like Paul before conversion) the Messiah was veiled from their heart... But their minds (JEWS) were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; 16but whenever a person turns to the Lord (AS ENABLED BY THE SUPERNATURAL POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT), the veil is taken away. (2 Cor 3:14-16+) In me -

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Wuest - The word conferred (consult) deserves careful study. It is prosanatithemi. It means “to betake one’s self to another for the purpose of consulting him.” In pagan writers it was used of consulting soothsayers and the like. It was as if Paul said, “I did not consult with anyone in order to learn the opinion of others as to this revelation I received, or to obtain instruction from them, or guidance, or advice.” (Word Studies from the Greek New Testament) Donald Campbell - Paul had emphasized that he did not receive his message from men before or at the time of his conversion. Now he affirmed that he was free from human influences afterward as well. Though Paul met other Christians after his conversion he did not consult them on doctrine. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Flesh and blood - Human nature in general. Paul did not consult with other human beings, other people, probably especially other human authorities. Paul asserts that his commission and message came to him directly from God, and that neither was affected in any way by human intervention. As John Brown expounds this... ‘I neither consulted my own reason or inclination, nor did I seek instruction from others: I committed myself entirely to Divine guidance and teaching. I did not consult with any man. I did not seek instruction from any man. I did not inquire at other Christians if the views of Christianity which had been conveyed into my mind were correct or not. I asked at no man what I was to preach, or where I was to preach. I gave myself up to the guidance of the Divine impulse; and immediately commenced speaking the things of the Spirit, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth.’ (Reference) Readiness for service - Brutus visiting Ligarius found him ill, and said, “What! sick, Ligarius?” “No, Brutus,” said he; if thou hast any noble enterprise in hand I am well.” So should the believer say of Christ; what might excuse us from other labour shall never prevent our engaging in His service. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Paul’s mission I. His great motive. To preach Christ. II. His prompt surrender. 1. Personal. 2. Decisive. 3. Final. (A. F. Barfield.) Personal conviction - What we need is the revelation of Christ within us; not the communication of truths yet unrevealed, as was necessary in the case of the founders of our religion, but the communication of truths already made known; the removal of the veil from our hearts, and the giving of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Each of us must for himself discover the hid treasure; whether the light flashes upon us in an instant, as with the woman at the well of Jacob, or comes to us as the result of long search and patient inquiry, as in the case of the Ethiopian eunuch, we must find the Messiah, we must hear Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. It will not suffice, in this day at least, to take religion upon trust, to accept the popular faith, just because it is popular. Such belief will not stand in the day of trial; it certainly will exercise no constraining influence upon our hearts and lives. Whether for our peace or for our usefulness, Christ must live within us; the reasonable mind must apprehend Him, the heart must cleave to Him. Thus our lives will tell upon the world around us. There will be a living power within, full of holy joy, and peace, and comfort; whilst a living power will go forth from us, and act silently, it may be, but effectually, upon the world without. (Emilius Bayley, B. D.) (The Biblical Illustrator) F B

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Wuest - neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus. GNT Galatians 1:17 οὐδὲ ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα πρὸς τοὺς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἀποστόλους, ἀλλὰ ἀπῆλθον εἰς Ἀραβίαν καὶ πάλιν ὑπέστρεψα εἰς Δαμασκόν. NLT Galatians 1:17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus. KJV Galatians 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. ESV Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. ASV Galatians 1:17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus. CSB Galatians 1:17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who had become apostles before me; instead I went to Arabia and came back to Damascus. NIV Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. NKJ Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. NRS Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus. YLT Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem unto those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus, NAB Galatians 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. NJB Galatians 1:17 or to go up to Jerusalem to see those who were already apostles before me. Instead, I went off to Arabia, and later I came back to Damascus. GWN Galatians 1:17 I didn't even go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went to Arabia and then came back to Damascus. BBE Galatians 1:17 And I went not up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and again I came back to Damascus. but I went away to Arabia: Ga 1:18 Ac 9:20-25 returned once more to Damascus: 2Co 11:32,33 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Martin Hengel "Paul in Arabia," Bulletin for Biblical Research 12.1 (2002): 47-66. PAUL'S THREE YEAR "DESERT SABBATICAL" Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me - Paul again is emphasizing that his call and his subsequent "seminary course" as an apostle was not the result of other men teaching him but that ultimately it was God Who taught him during the three year "desert sabbatical." Ponder this for a moment. Paul was in the desert (alone as far as we know) with God as his Teacher and this went on for over 1000 days! I cannot wait to get to Heaven and talk with Paul about these 3 years in the desert! God could have "japped" him in a moment or in 3 days but for reasons that are unclear from Scripture, it was 3 years! Clearly God's ways are not our ways! (Isaiah 55:8) Go up to Jerusalem - "Went up is from anerchomai. It was used especially of visiting Jerusalem which was situated in the highlands of Palestine. Katerchomai was used of the descending journey from the city. The religious position of Jerusalem as the seat of the Temple and the mother-city of the Church, and its geographical position on the central heights of Palestine, were the factors that suggested the expressions “going up” and “going down,” when a journey was made to that city and then back to one’s home." (Wuest) Before me (pro emou) - This short clause would intimate that Paul was then an apostle as well as those in Jerusalem, and the only difference was in the priority of the date of their apostleship.

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Wuest - Then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days. GNT Galatians 1:18 Ἔπειτα μετὰ ἔτη τρία ἀνῆλθον εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἱστορῆσαι Κηφᾶν καὶ ἐπέμεινα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡμέρας δεκαπέντε, NLT Galatians 1:18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. KJV Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. ESV Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ASV Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days. CSB Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him 15 days. NIV Galatians 1:18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. NKJ Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. NRS Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; YLT Galatians 1:18 then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days, NAB Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas and remained with him for fifteen days. NJB Galatians 1:18 Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas. I stayed fifteen days with him GWN Galatians 1:18 Then, three years later I went to Jerusalem to become personally acquainted with Cephas. I stayed with him for fifteen days. BBE Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas, and was there with him fifteen days. I went up: Acts 9:26-29 Acts 22:17,18 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL'S FIRST POST-CONVERSION VISIT TO JERUSALEM Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem - See the diagram in preceding verse. Note this visit to Jerusalem is not his visit to deliver famine relief in Acts 11:30+ nor his trip to the Jerusalem council in Acts 15+. Then - Marks time sequence (See importance of expressions of time). Three years later - It is interesting to recall that the original apostles had been taught by Jesus for three years. This would include Paul's time in Arabia and Damascus, but how long in each location is not clear from Scripture.).

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Wuest - But another of the apostles I did not see except James the brother of our Lord. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. GNT Galatians 1:19 ἕτερον δὲ τῶν ἀποστόλων οὐκ εἶδον εἰ μὴ Ἰάκωβον τὸν ἀδελφὸν τοῦ κυρίου. NLT Galatians 1:19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord's brother. KJV Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. ESV Galatians 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. ASV Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. CSB Galatians 1:19 But I didn't see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. NIV Galatians 1:19 I saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother. NKJ Galatians 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. NRS Galatians 1:19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. YLT Galatians 1:19 and other of the apostles I did not see, except James, the brother of the Lord. NAB Galatians 1:19 But I did not see any other of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. NJB Galatians 1:19 but did not set eyes on any of the rest of the apostles, only James, the Lord's brother. GWN Galatians 1:19 I didn't see any other apostle. I only saw James, the Lord's brother. BBE Galatians 1:19 But of the other Apostles I saw only James, the Lord's brother. James: Mt 10:3 Mk 3:18 Lk 6:15 Ac 1:13, James the son of Alphaeus, Jas 1:1 Jude 1:1 the Lord's brother: Mt 13:55 Mk 6:3 1Co 9:5 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother - The apostles refers only to Peter and James. Why did he not visit any of the other apostles? Was it because of fear? Some commentators thinks that was the reason or that they were not in Jerusalem at that time. Presumably Paul would have not been able to see even Peter and James without the assistance of Barnabas, for Luke records... When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.(Acts 9:26-29+) NET Note - Literally "But another of the apostles I did not see, except…" with "another" in emphatic position in the Greek text. Paul is determined to make the point that his contacts with the original twelve apostles and other leaders of the Jerusalem church were limited, thus asserting his independence from them. James the Lord's brother - James was the recognized leader of the first church of Jerusalem (Acts 12:17+, Acts 15:13,19+; Acts 21:18+, Galatians 2:9+), and also the most widely accepted author of the epistle of James (James 1:1+). He was not one of the Twelve however, since the brethren of our Lord did not believe on Him at the time of the choosing of the Twelve. Paul confirms that James is one of the human brothers of Jesus. Recall that Christ's brothers ("His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas") did not believe in Him initially (John 7:5), but later joined their mother Mary in fellowship with the other disciples (Acts 1:14+). James had been among those who had seen Christ after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7+). The same would then apply to Jude (Jude 1:1+) since both James and Jude are named as among Jesus' brothers (Matthew 13:55). Recall that there are 3 men in the NT with the name of James - James, Son of Zebedee (one of "Sons of Thunder') (Mt 4:21, Mk 3:17), James Son of Alphaeus, brother of Matthew and one of the 12 disciples(Mk 3:18), and finally James, the brother of Jesus. Galatians 1:20 (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Amplified - Now [note carefully what I am telling you, for it is the truth], I write this as if I were standing before the bar of God; I do not lie. Wuest - But the things which I am writing to you, behold, in the sight of God, I am not lying. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:20 I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you! GNT Galatians 1:20 ἃ δὲ γράφω ὑμῖν, ἰδοὺ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ ὅτι οὐ ψεύδομαι. NLT Galatians 1:20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. KJV Galatians 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. ESV Galatians 1:20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ASV Galatians 1:20 Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. CSB Galatians 1:20 Now I am not lying in what I write to you. God is my witness. NIV Galatians 1:20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. NKJ Galatians 1:20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) NRS Galatians 1:20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! YLT Galatians 1:20 And the things that I write to you, lo, before God -- I lie not; NAB Galatians 1:20 (As to what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.) NJB Galatians 1:20 I swear before God that what I have written is the truth. GWN Galatians 1:20 (God is my witness that what I'm writing is not a lie.) BBE Galatians 1:20 Now God is witness that the things which I am writing to you are true. Ro 9:1 2Co 11:10,11,31 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries What I am writing to you - This refers primarily to what he had just written in Gal 1:18-19, as these were facts Paul felt clearly showed his independence from those who had been apostles prior to his call.

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Wuest adds that "The logical inference is that they had circulated statements to the effect that Paul had spent much time at Jerusalem with the apostles there. He denies this charge most vehemently." (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) Lange says: God is a witness of the truth, and a righteous judge of all lies. Can you in all that you say, call on God as the witness of its truth? In all cases this ought to be possible, although it is seldom needful or proper.

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Wuest - Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:21 Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. GNT Galatians 1:21 ἔπειτα ἦλθον εἰς τὰ κλίματα τῆς Συρίας καὶ τῆς Κιλικίας· NLT Galatians 1:21 After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia. KJV Galatians 1:21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; ESV Galatians 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ASV Galatians 1:21 Then I came unto the regions of Syria and Cilicia. CSB Galatians 1:21 Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. NIV Galatians 1:21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. NKJ Galatians 1:21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. NRS Galatians 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, YLT Galatians 1:21 then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia, NAB Galatians 1:21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. NJB Galatians 1:21 After that I went to places in Syria and Cilicia; GWN Galatians 1:21 Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. BBE Galatians 1:21 Then I came to the parts of Syria and Cilicia. I went: Ac 9:30 11:25,26 13:1 15:23,41 18:18 21:3 Cilicia: Acts 6:9 Acts 21:39 Acts 22:3 Acts 23:34 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOING HOME AS A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST After escaping danger in Jerusalem Paul heads homeward, his birthplace being in Tarsus in Cilicia. Scripture is silent about Paul's time in Tarsus which a number of commentators think was as long as 10 years. Where Paul's parents still alive? What would they have thought about his conversion? What did Paul do in these regions for up to 10 years? We simply cannot say. Won't it be a joy talking with Paul in Heaven as he describes the God glorifying details of his incredible life on earth! As you study Acts, you note that we lose track of Saul in Acts 9:27-30 Luke recording (FIRST VISIT IN JERUSALEM AFTER UP TO 3 YEARS "SEMINAR IN ARABIA") But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. (Acts 9:27-30+) (See Map for Journey from Jerusalem to Caesarea Maritima to Tarsus) Here is an ESV Timeline that includes major events in Paul's life - while the dates are approximate, they do help you give you a sense of how long Saul/Paul was in Tarsus, before Barnabas searched for him (as described below). Saul/Paul's escape from his first visit to Jerusalem back to Tarsus is seen in the diagram below marked as "In Syria and Cilicia." The next event in this chart is "Second Visit to Jerusalem." What is not described is Paul's time at Tarsus in Cilicia, because as noted above Scripture is silent. What we do know (and this is not on the diagram below, but it is shown on the accompanying map below), is how Saul/Paul was "retrieved" by Barnabas from Tarsus, Luke recording Then when he (BARNABAS) arrived (FROM JERUSALEM TO ANTIOCH IN SYRIA) and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he (BARNABAS) left for Tarsus to look for Saul (ONE OF THE SHORTEST VERSES IN ACTS, BUT WITHOUT DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES CONSIDERING WHAT HAPPENED WHEN BARNABAS FOUND SAUL/PAUL!); 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch (TO THE CHURCH IN SYRIA). And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders (SAUL/PAUL'S SECOND VISIT TO JERUSALEM).(Acts 11:23-30+) Click Chronological Diagram to enlarge See Also Map of Events of Paul's Conversion and Early Ministry (Note: Map is copyright by Holman Publishing and not to be copied) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia - Then is a marker of time, often identifying a sequence of events. So after meeting Peter and James in Jerusalem on his first visit, THEN Saul/Paul left town because of the threat of assassination. Into the regions of Syria and Cilicia - Paul's birthplace was in Tarsus which was in the region of Cilicia - just north of Syria. Wuest notes that "Here we have about ten years of Paul’s life passed over in silence, between his flight from Jerusalem to Tarsus and his return to the former city for the Apostolic Council. These years were spent around Tarsus and Antioch, in Cyprus and Asia Minor." (Wuest Word Studies - Eerdman Publishing Company Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 - used by permission) MacArthur feels that Paul " preached there (Syria and Cilicia) until Barnabas called for him to come to Antioch in Syria." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Galatians) Eadie - The apostle is not stating his tour with geographical precision, but is merely showing how far he traveled away from all Judean influence and recognition. (Galatians 1 Commentary) Have you ever noticed that the Apostle Paul went to the hardest places? From ARABIA he went to DAMASCUS where he was headed before he met the Lord. Then he goes to JERUSALEM where the center of Judaism is located. Then from there he goes HOME (TARSUS), which also would be very difficult. He reminds me of a missionary candidate who was being interviewed by a board to go to the foreign field. The question was posed to him “Where do you feel called?” And he, the candidate, simply replied that he did not feel called to any particular place. He only hoped that whatever assignment would be given him might be the toughest one that they had. (Don Anderson) Galatians 1:22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; Amplified - And so far I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea (the country surrounding Jerusalem). Wuest - but remained personally unknown to the assemblies of Judaea which are in Christ. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:22 But I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. GNT Galatians 1:22 ἤμην δὲ ἀγνοούμενος τῷ προσώπῳ ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Ἰουδαίας ταῖς ἐν Χριστῷ. NLT Galatians 1:22 And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn't know me personally. KJV Galatians 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: ESV Galatians 1:22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ASV Galatians 1:22 And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: CSB Galatians 1:22 I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches in Christ; NIV Galatians 1:22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. NKJ Galatians 1:22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. NRS Galatians 1:22 and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; YLT Galatians 1:22 and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that are in Christ, NAB Galatians 1:22 And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; NJB Galatians 1:22 and was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judaea which are in Christ, GWN Galatians 1:22 The churches of Christ in Judea didn't know me personally. BBE Galatians 1:22 And the churches of Judaea which were in Christ still had no knowledge of my face or person: the churches: Ac 9:31 1Th 2:14)(in: Ro 16:7 1Co 1:30 Php 1:1 1Th 1:1 2Th 1:1 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ - Paul's first visit to Jerusalem did not include visits to the churches that were in Judea, the region around Jerusalem. And while we do not know exactly how long Saul/Paul was in Syria and Cilicia (up to 10 years as noted above), the fact that he was so far removed from Judea (Tarsus is about 590 miles north of Jerusalem) explains why the churches of Judea did not know him by face. Of course as Paul explains in the next verse these churches had heard of his reputation as a persecutor turned preacher! I was still unknown (agnoeo) in the present tense signifies that Paul continued to remain unknown to them. "I remained unknown." By sight (literally "by face") - Even if they had seen Paul's face, they would not have known who he was. They had not seen him "in person." This fact is distinguished from the churches in Jerusalem, many of whom had a knowledge of his person, and could recognize him if they saw him, for he had been “going in and out” among them, “speaking out boldly,” having sojourned fifteen days with Peter. (Acts 9:28) The churches (ekklesia) of Judea - They are distinguished from the church at Jerusalem. Their only knowledge of Paul was by report, and that report was somewhat "mixed" as explained in the next verse. So what point is Paul making here? He had left Jerusalem after only a short time. Had he been there a long time under the tutelage of the other apostles, he almost assuredly would have visited the surrounding churches of Judea. The fact that they did not know his face supports his independence from the other apostles. In Christ - Recall that ekklesia is a general word for assembly, and so here Paul points specifically to the ekklesia in Judea who were "in Christ" and thus composed of believers, in contrast to assemblies of Jews who did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah and Redeemer. M. D. Dunnam on the churches in Christ - The closing verses of this first chapter provide a key to an understanding of Paul’s ardent commitment, his freedom, and his total commitment to the centrality of Christ. A prepositional phrase is the key to his thought: “in Christ.” Whereas normally this phrase designates the experience of an individual, here Paul uses it in relation to the church–– “the churches of Judea which were in Christ.” This mystical quality of the fellowship makes the church more than a human institution. When the fellowship is in and with Christ, the church is the body of Christ, a divine institution against which the gates of hell cannot prevail. (Preacher's Commentary - Vol. 31- Galatians/Ephesians) Relation of Churches to Christ: I. They are FOUNDED on Christ (Mat 16:18; 1Co 1:2). II. They are BUILT by Christ (Eph 4:16). III. They are the BODY of Christ (Eph 1:23; Eph 4:12). IV. They are REDEEMED through Christ (Act 20:28; Eph 5:25). V. They are CONSECRATED to Christ (Eph 5:26). VI. They will be GLORIFIED in Christ (Eph 5:27). (The Biblical Illustrator) Galatians 1:23 but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy." Amplified - They were only hearing it said, He who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the very faith he once reviled and which he set out to ruin and tried with all his might to destroy. Wuest - Indeed, they only kept on hearing, The one who used to persecute us at one time now is announcing the glad tidings of the Faith which at one time he was ravaging. (Eerdmans Publishing) TLB - All they knew was what people were saying, that “our former enemy is now preaching the very faith he tried to wreck.” NET Galatians 1:23 They were only hearing, "The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy." GNT Galatians 1:23 μόνον δὲ ἀκούοντες ἦσαν ὅτι Ὁ διώκων ἡμᾶς ποτε νῦν εὐαγγελίζεται τὴν πίστιν ἥν ποτε ἐπόρθει, NLT Galatians 1:23 All they knew was that people were saying, "The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!" KJV Galatians 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. ESV Galatians 1:23 They only were hearing it said, "He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." ASV Galatians 1:23 but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; CSB Galatians 1:23 they simply kept hearing: "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy." NIV Galatians 1:23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." NKJ Galatians 1:23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." NRS Galatians 1:23 they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." YLT Galatians 1:23 and only they were hearing, that 'he who is persecuting us then, doth now proclaim good news -- the faith that then he was wasting;' he who: Acts 9:13,20,26, 1Co 15:8-10 1Ti 1:13-16 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries RAVAGING SAUL BECOMES PREACHING PAUL But only, they kept hearing - In the present tense indicates that the churches in Judea were hearing continually about Paul. "Our former persecutor is now our preacher!" Luke records Paul's response after conversion as well as the reactions to his radical conversion... (REACTION FROM ANANIAS) Acts 9:13+ But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; (RESPONSE OF SAUL/PAUL) Acts 9:20+ and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” (REACTION OF SAINTS IN JERUSALEM) Acts 9:26+ When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. He who once persecuted us - The present tense indicates persecuting (dioko) saints was Paul's continual modus operandi prior to meeting Jesus face to face where our Lord accused Paul of "persecuting" (dioko) Him (Acts 9:4-5+) an encounter that changed his life and something he never forgot (Acts 22:7-8+, Acts 26:14-15+ - dioko used in all 4 verses)! The persecutor ceased persecuting Christians and began to follow hard after, to "persecute", to "press on (dioko) toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." ( Phil 3:14+, dioko also in Phil 3:12+) By his own admission Paul wrote "I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted (dioko) the church of God." (1 Cor 15:9+) In Acts 8:3+ Luke records this persecution as "Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison." Paul later testified "I persecuted (dioko) this Way (NAME FOR CHRISTIANS) to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons." (Acts 22:3+). And again in Acts 26:9-11+ he confessed "I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing (dioko in imperfect tense = again and again) them even to foreign cities." And in his letter to the Philippians he wrote of his former way of life "as to zeal, a persecutor (dioko) of the church." (Phil 3:6+) Persecuted (1377)(dioko from dío = pursue, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. Dioko is a vivid word which gives us the picture of going after something (or someone), like hounds pursuing a fox. Dioko was also used for chasing down criminals. And so dioko meant to chase, harass, vex and pressure with the intention of doing harm, even hunting down Christians like animals, so that in any way whatever they might be harassed, troubled, molested or even physically harmed. Is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy - Tried to destroy is in the imperfect tense indicating that over and over Paul was wreaking havoc. Preaching (2097)(euaggelizo/euangelizo) in the present tense indicates Paul was continually brought good news, announced good news, proclaiming the glorious message of salvation available to sinners! Euaggelizo is a key word (6x in 24v) in Galatians 1 -- clearly Paul wants to make sure his readers understand he was preaching good news because others were preaching "bad news!" Euaggelizo in Galatians - Gal. 1:8; Gal. 1:9; Gal. 1:11; Gal. 1:16; Gal. 1:23; Gal. 4:13; The faith - Wuest favors this as the faith which they had in Jesus, whereas

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Wuest - And they were continually glorifying God [for that which they found] in me. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 1:24 So they glorified God because of me. GNT Galatians 1:24 καὶ ἐδόξαζον ἐν ἐμοὶ τὸν θεόν. NLT Galatians 1:24 And they praised God because of me. KJV Galatians 1:24 And they glorified God in me. ESV Galatians 1:24 And they glorified God because of me. ASV Galatians 1:24 and they glorified God in me. CSB Galatians 1:24 And they glorified God because of me. NIV Galatians 1:24 And they praised God because of me. NKJ Galatians 1:24 And they glorified God in me. NRS Galatians 1:24 And they glorified God because of me. YLT Galatians 1:24 and they were glorifying God in me. NAB Galatians 1:24 So they glorified God because of me. NJB Galatians 1:24 and they gave glory to God for me. GWN Galatians 1:24 So they praised God for what had happened to me. BBE Galatians 1:24 And they gave glory to God in me. Nu 23:23 Lk 2:14 7:16 15:10,32 Acts 11:18 Acts 21:19,20 2Co 9:13 Col 1:3,4 2Th 1:10,12 Galatians 1 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE CHIEF END OF MAN: TO GLORIFY GOD! The most famous question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism is "What is the chief end of man?" The answer is "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." And they were glorifying God because of me - Glorifying (doxazo) is in the imperfect tense signifying that over and over they were glorifying God. Note they were not glorifying Paul but Paul's God! Paul was obeying Jesus' command in the Sermon on the Mount to "Let your light shine (aorist imperative - Command to "Do this now!" "Don't delay!") before men in such a way (THIS IS KEY - "SUCH A WAY" THAT THEY DON'T GIVE US THE ADULATION AND PRAISE! BE CAREFUL HERE!) that they may see your good works (THESE ARE "GOD" WORKS - VISIBLE SUPERNATURAL WORKS THAT GIVE CLEAR TESTIMONY TO THE INVISIBLE GOD, OUR FATHER), and glorify (doxazo) your Father who is in heaven."(Mt 5:16+). THOUGHT - How did Paul obey this command? He was continually filled with and supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit. There is no other way to obey Jesus' command except by depending continually on the enabling power of the Spirit. Related Resources: Discussion of the Need for the Holy Spirit to obey NT commands (or "How to Keep All 1642 Commandments in the New Testament!") Filled with His Spirit/Richly Indwelt with His Word - Chart Comparing the almost identical "fruit" of filled with Spirit and Word - Do you want to be filled with the Spirit? Then fill yourself with the Word, keep short sin accounts (Not grieving, not quenching the Spirit). Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible (100/100) Spiritual Paradoxes in the Christian Life Any man touched by Jesus Christ is good publicity for the gospel. -- Vance Havner To glorify God is a favorite Pauline phrase: Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified (doxazo) God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” Acts 21:20 And when they heard it they began glorifying (doxazo) God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; Romans 1:21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor (doxazo) Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 15:6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify (doxazo) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:9 and for the Gentiles to glorify (doxazo) God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify (doxazo) God in your body. 2 Corinthians 9:13 Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify (doxazo) God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, Donald Campbell comments "This was a telling blow to the false teachers. The Jewish Christians in Judea rejoiced in the same gospel the Judaizers sought to undermine." (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Bickel & Jantz say that "Another strong confirmation of Paul’s authority is the way his message was received among the churches in Judea. The Jewish Christians in this region, who didn’t know Paul personally, gave glory to God because Paul was now preaching the gospel of grace and faith, the “very faith he tried to destroy.” (Galatians: Walking in God's Grace) John