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Galatians 1:1-12
Sunday Between May 29 and June 4 (Proper 4) C (Second Reading)
Galatians 1:1-12
Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father,
who raised him from the dead-- [2] and all the brothers with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
[3] Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, [4] who gave
himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our
God and Father, [5] to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
[6] I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace
of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-- [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. [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! [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!
[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.
[11] I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man
made up. [12] I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received
it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
(NIV)
Galatians 1:1-5 (The apostle Paul asserts his apostolic character against such as lessened it)
St. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ; he was expressly appointed by him, consequently by God the Father, who is one with him in respect of his Divine nature, and who appointed Christ as Mediator. Grace, includes God’s good-will towards us, and his good work upon us; and peace, all that inward comfort, or outward prosperity, which is really needful for us. They come from God the Father, as the Fountain, through Jesus Christ. But observe, first grace, and then peace; there can be no true peace without grace. Christ gave himself for our sins, to make atonement for us: this the justice of God required, and to this he freely submitted. Here is to be observed the infinite greatness of the price bestowed, and then it will appear plainly, that the power of sin is so great, that it could by no means be put away except the Son of God be given for it. He that considers these things well, understands that sin is a thing the most horrible that can be expressed; which ought to move us, and make us afraid indeed. Especially mark well the words, "for our sins." For here our weak nature starts back, and would first be made worthy by her own works. It would bring him that is whole, and not him that has need of a physician. Not only to redeem us from the wrath of God, and the curse of the law; but also to recover us from wicked practices and customs, to which we are naturally enslaved. But it is in vain for those who are not delivered from this present evil world by the sanctification of the Spirit, to expect that they are freed from its condemnation by the blood of Jesus.
Galatians 1:6-9 (He reproves the Galatians for revolting from the gospel of Christ under the influence of evil teachers)
Those who would establish any other way to heaven than what the gospel of Christ reveals, will find themselves wretchedly mistaken. The apostle presses upon the Galatians a due sense of their guilt in forsaking the gospel way of justification; yet he reproves with tenderness, and represents them as drawn into it by the arts of some that troubled them. In reproving others, we should be faithful, and yet endeavour to restore them in the spirit of meekness. Some would set up the works of the law in the place of Christ’s righteousness, and thus they corrupted Christianity. The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, every one who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels than that of the grace of Christ, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride, or more favourable to worldly lusts, are devices of Satan. And while we declare that to reject the moral law as a rule of life, tends to dishonour Christ, and destroy true religion, we must also declare, that all dependence for justification on good works, whether real or supposed, is as fatal to those who persist in it. While we are zealous for good works, let us be careful not to put them in the place of Christ’s righteousness, and not to advance any thing which may betray others into so dreadful a delusion.
Galatians 1:10-14 (He proves the Divine authority of his doctrine and mission; and declares what he was before his conversion and calling)
In preaching the gospel, the apostle sought to bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. But Paul would not attempt to alter the doctrine of Christ, either to gain their favour, or to avoid their fury. In so important a matter we must not fear the frowns of men, nor seek their favour, by using words of men’s wisdom. Concerning the manner wherein he received the gospel, he had it by revelation from Heaven. He was not led to Christianity, as many are, merely by education.
(Matthew Henry Concise Commentary)