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Galatians 1:11-24
Galatians 1:11-24
Paul received the Gospel directly from Jesus Christ. There was no man who gave him the Gospel. Nobody told him their version of the Gospel truth. It was directly from Jesus Christ.
Remember what Paul said earlier? In Gal. 1.1 - he was not sent from men or a man. Gal. 1:9 - If any man preaches a gospel different than what they had heard, he is under God’s curse.
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
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.
In Paul’s letter to those in Corinth were saying they followed a man, namely Paul or Apollos. 1 Cor. 3:4-7 - The people in Corinth were struggling with their identity and human understanding. They still did not know what it meant to live by the Spirit. Paul told them they were still drinking milk, as an infant. They were not ready for meat. Let us look again at Paul’s point in 1 Cor. 3:7. They are not anything, it is God who does the growing.
1 Corinthians 3:4–7 (ESV)
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Cor. 3:11 - Look at Paul’s foundational point. Jesus Christ is the only foundation on which truth rests. There has never been a man (Except Jesus, who was fully man and fully God) in history which has laid a foundation which we can say is a true gospel, or a way we ought to live our lives. All are false, all will lead you astray.
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
If you do not follow Jesus Christ’s truth alone you are following false gospels. If you follow any man or woman in this world, you do not know where foundational truth is and you will continue drinking milk because you cannot handle meat. Meat is for the strong who are built on the foundation that is Christ.
Paul Received the Gospel through a
Revelation of Jesus Christ
A note as we transition about Paul. He was originally named Saul. It is not until Acts 13 that we learn of the name change. Luke, in his writings of the Book of Acts changed it. We do not know fully as to why, put there was a transformation taking place. For the rest of the book of Acts and Scripture, he is only named Paul. The only exception being when he revisits his story of transformation.
To understand this we need to look at the Greek and the Book of Acts. First the Greek word for revelation is ἀποκάλυψις. If that sounds familiar, that is because it is where we get the word Apocalypse. Typically we have grown accustomed to this meaning the End of the World, the Rapture, Judgment, etc. However, this is not entirely true and we have misrepresented the true Greek etymology of the word.
ἀποκάλυψις (apokalupsis) - an unveiling, or to make fully known. In the case of Paul, he was given an unveiling, through visions, of who Jesus Christ truly is and what his plan for Paul was. A cursory reading of his letters will show that Paul was given much wisdom concerning the Gospel, matters pertaining to the church, and eschatology. It appeared Paul had an ongoing revelations and visions from God. Additionally, he conversed with God on multiple occasions.
Galatians 1.13-14
Paul Persecuted the Church
Paul was the Navy Seals of Jews. If you needed something taken care of that a less equipped Jew could handle, you sent in Saul. He was eager, we was smart, and he was ready.
Saul hated Christians. We have no official record if he actually took place in murdering Christians, but he least gave approval to them being killed.
Acts 7:58-8:1 - Saul (Paul) was at the stoning of Stephen and was in agreement in putting him to death.
Acts 7:58–8:1 (ESV)
Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 9:1-2 - Saul asked for letters to seek out Christians (The Way). and bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:1–2 (ESV)
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
In Galatians 1:13 - Paul said he persecuted the church (Beyond measure/NASB, intensely/NIV, savagely/NET). The NET and NASB have perhaps the best translation for the Greek word. Which essentially teaches us that is was an exceeding amount to such an extant than was necessary, at the highest point of persecution. This is how much Paul hated Christians.
The Irony - In Galatians 1:14 shared how zealous he was for being Jewish. This was at the core of his identity, his blood boiled with Judaism and hatred for Christians. Notice, how he was zealous for the traditions of Judaism.
In the Torah (The first 5 books of the OT), we find the Law the Israelites were given. Within those laws (Exodus 20:13) God said, “You shall not murder.”
13 “You shall not murder.
The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 said to love the Lord you God. But this is where it ended for most Jews when it came to their hate for Christians. They thought we were loving God, but they missed the point.
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 (NASB95)
“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
In Leviticus 19:18 - The Law says to take no vengeance against your neighbors. Jesus repeats these commands to his disciples.
Leviticus 19:18 (NASB95)
‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
So, Saul is holding onto the traditions of Judaism, not the Law, nor the truth of the Law. He still believes those to be true, but has now added to the Word of God what the Pharisees and other Jewish sects have done.
Their traditions have taken over reason and truth. We just heard earlier in the letter that Paul talked about a False Gospel. A False Gospel is anything added to the Word of God. Paul did not know God, he did not love God. Remember Jesus’s conversation with the Pharisees?
In Mark 7:6-9 - Jesus quoted Isaiah from the OT about how the Pharisees operate their belief system. They set aside the commandments of God for their traditions. For man’s way, not God’s This is what Paul used to do, before he was transformed by Jesus Christ.
Mark 7:6–9 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!
Where are you at? Do you identify with the list of deeds of the flesh? What about the Fruit of the Spirit?
Not only did Paul talk about what was happening in the church and how the Judaizers were distorting the Gospel, he was once doing the same thing. In a different way, but still the same thing. How many times does God use the mistakes in our lives to help others? Why? Because we know where we errored and sinned.
Some of you may have struggled with alcoholism, drugs, immorality (sexual sins and desires, adultery), lying, stealing, pride, following man over God, or following a false religion. Some of you may still struggle with these things.
Now, for those who have been truly redeemed by Christ have put off the old and have put on Christ, that is, He dwells in you through His Spirit. Now, God may be using that area of sin in your life to passionately help others deal with it, because you do not want them to be going through the same thing. This can only happen if you have been redeemed, Christ may call you to help others in the same area, because you no longer struggle with that temptation of sin.
Galatians 2:20 - Crucified with Christ.
You have put off you old life, your old way of being, your identity,
James Shank’s reason for hope. I have been crucified with Christ. It was for “freedom” that Christ set me free. Freedom from being bond by the chains of sin. Freedom from living for the world and of the world. Freedom to have my identity first and foremost in Christ alone.
For my freedom is not something I take lightly, my identity is this.
Follower of Christ
Husband
Father
Pastor
Everything else in my life are just things I do, enjoy, or follow. But, they are not who I am.
“It’s not who you are underneath, it is what you do that defines you.” - Batman Begins
That is, I can try and pretend I am something else. I can talk about who I am. But, without the evidence, without the calling to serve God, my family, and others; they are just empty platitudes.
It is Christ working through me. My flesh is faulty, it is His Spirit that guides me.
This is where Paul is. He shared with the Galatians about his former life. This is an apologetic. In Romans 7 Paul’s goes at length to discuss the dichotomy between flesh and Spirit. This is a common thread of his.
(See 1 Peter 3:15).
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
ἀπολογία - This Greek word means to give a defense for what you believe to be true. As in a court of Law. Paul shared what he knew to be true about Jesus Christ and shared about his life and why he followed Christ. But, he did so with gentleness and respect. Not with hatred anymore.
Galatians 1:15–21 (NASB95)
Being Called
One of the things which needs some attention is Paul’s understanding of being called. Paul did not realize this call until his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He now recognized that God had a plan for his life, well before he chose to follow Christ.
Paul shared with the church in Galatia what that call was. That he was to preach Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. Gentiles are anyone who was not considered to have a Jewish heritage.
If you have listened to the call of Christ in your life. If you have chosen to follow our Lord and Savior, how are you living that out in your daily life? Did your transformation cause you fully live for him?
John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father except through Christ.
John 14:6 (NASB95)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 6:44 - The Father calls one to Himself
John 6:44 (NASB95)
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
Paul did not consult with anyone. This is momentous. Paul did not question his belief in Christ. He did not go and ask people what they thought it meant or if he had been dreaming.
He went to Arabia and Damascus for three years. While he was there he preached the The Gospel, the Good News of Christ. Damascus is the place where Paul had planned on going to destroy Christians. Instead, he went to teach them about Christ, so they could be saved and transform their lives for Jesus Christ.
Consults with Cephas (Peter) for 15 days
Then preached in Syria and Cilicia
One of the reasons for this section of Scripture in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia was because of the Judaizers. They preached up the ceremonial law and did all they could to lessen Paul’s reputation, who preached the pure gospel of Christ to the Gentiles
Galatians 1.22-24
Transformed
God is glorified at Paul’s conversion, his transformation.
Let us consider what we can learn from Paul’s conversion and transformation. He lived a life of hate for the Christians and persecuted them, approving their death. He was the best Jew there was. He lived to advance in Judaism amongst the Pharisees and there is little doubt he would climb to the top.
He had an encounter with Christ. He realized what the truth was and the who the Messiah truly was and began to follow Him and live out the Gospel until his dying breath.
In Gal. 1:20 - Paul took in oath, before God that he was not lying about his transformation and preaching of the gospel. The Judaizers were certainly trying to confuse the Galatian church about Paul’s authority, hence the purpose to write this section.
As you read through Paul’s letters one of the key questions to always ask is, “Why did he write this?” It almost always is addressing a concern or something he was asked about.
So, what can you learn from Paul? What has your “encounter” with Christ been like? How have you been transformed?
Have you answered His call in your life?
If not, be ready to answer. Perhaps He is calling you now. Maybe He has been calling you and keeps getting ghosted by you.
If you are a believer, a true follower of Jesus Christ, are you in a waiting period? A time of discovering where God may be leading you?
Paul spend 3 years before going to Jerusalem to speak with Peter, then another 14 years before coming back. That was 17 years Paul waited to be in fellowship with the apostles. For sure he was sharing the Gospel in many regions.
How long will you wait?
Over the coming weeks, as we dissect the letter to the Galatians, you will be challenged to grow in your faith and be encouraged. You will learn what the true Gospel is and how to stand firm on His foundation. And like Paul, you may be called upon to share the Gospel with others. But rest assured, you are not alone. We are here to walk alongside you.
There will be opportunities outside of Sunday to learn how to live out the Gospel where you live, work, or play. You will begin the transformative work that Christ has done for you and understand what it means to live for Him.
