Galatians 1

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Verses 1, 2 Paul an apostle

Who is Paul and what is an Apostle? First; An apostle is one who is “sent” by Jesus Christ. The word is used to refer especially to the inner circle of Christ’s twelve disciples, but is also used specifically to refer to Paul, who was commissioned as an apostle by the risen Christ. The term is also applied more loosely to certain other leading Christians in the NT period.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

Secondly; Paul who was formerly Saul of Tarsus describes himself in . Read

One thing makes Paul different than all other Apostles, he says in Vs 1 that his calling was “..not through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.”

Its important to see how one became an apostle.

Read ,

Question - Did Paul meet these qualifications?

So how was Paul called and later came to write most of the NT? 14 of the 27 NT books

Read , He was called by the resurrected Jesus Christ Himself. We also see in Vs 11 - 12 that he was trained directly by Jesus Christ.

Question: can think of any problems this may have created for Paul?

Where is Galatia? In the North Eastern part of modern day Turkey. Galatia is a region not a city.

Vs 3 - 5 , was made into a song and presents the gospel in a great way. Before I teach you the song ther are some important words to consider, Grace - unmerited favor , Greek greeting Charis, and the Peace - Shalom, Hebrew greeting.

Deliver - literally to rescue,

So in other word’s it is God’s purpose to rescue you from this morally evil time.

Question; Have you ever been rescued? They say every little girl has a fantasy of a knight in shining armor coming in to rescue her.

Song - Grace unto you

Vs6 - 10 Paul switches gears and gets into his purpose that the Galatians were turning from the grace to works.

Todd on Sunday in regard to grace, “now that you are free what are you going to do about it”.

Question: Why is grace so scary to some? Is it easier to live under a religious system of rules?

the word “marvel” could also be “astonished”. Are you ever astonished how quickly someone can move away from the faith. “turning away from” means literally “Changed from ones position”.

Notice Who they were turning from, Jesus. They were changing their understanding from the true gospel to, “another gospel”. Gospel, means good news.

Paul says, which is not another, which means what? There is no other only the true Gospel.

Paul goes on to say there are some who want to “pervert” the gospel, literally to “turn around”.

Question -So if some was to turn around the gospel of grace what would they be saying? God requires certain religious works to gain his favor. Can you think of any groups who practice this thinking?

Paul has strong word for those who would pervert the gospel. Accursed is the greek word anathema.

Vs 11 - 21 Paul says his calling did not come from man nor was he taught it by man. That is incredible. Jesus had such an important calling for Paul he taught him Himself.

In Vs 13 he tells us what he was like. See , .

By comparison in today's world it would be like the head of Isis becoming like Billy Graham.

In verse 15 he says God revealed His Son, reveal is apokalypto in greek. To unveil, or disclose, as in the book of Revelation.

Notice Verse 18 he waited 3 years before going to Jerusalem.

Vs 23 God can change anyone and use them for his glory.