Chapter 1:1-6

·         Why study Galatians? It is considered the oldest of Paul’s letters thought to having been penned as early as 45 A.D., certainly no later than A.D. 60. A.D. (Anno Domini – “the year of our Lord.) To day the politically correct designation is C.E. or Christian Era or Common Era). If Galatians is the earliest writings (not in order of or present Bible) of Paul, then we must assume that all epistles that follow are built upon the foundation of Galatians. Galatians is an open letter meant originally to be read by all the churches in the region. It was to passed down to future generations of Christian churches. When we no longer have a need to read the letter it will be because we will be with the one who wrote the letter, the Apostle Paul and the supreme object of the letter, Jesus Christ, we will pass it on to the generations that will follow until “Time is no more.”

 

·         Galatians has been dubbed “the Key to the New Testament Apologetics” - (the defense of the faith and doctrines of the Christian system of theology.) A careful study of Galatians will reveal the vital ingredients that will help us profit from it and provide a fuller understanding our Christian faith.

 

·         Galatians was Martin Luther’s favorite Book of the New Testament. Luther was once asked by a skeptical but fellow theologian who argued in favor of the necessity and “majesty of man’s good works” saying, why, Brother Martin, what have we left if we throw out the concept of good works? What have we left if we cannot depend on some meritorious deeds to compliment our faith? Luther responded, why, Christ! We would have Christ!

The Apostle Paul’s Body of Work: he wrote 70% of the New Testament. By count, he penned 13 epistles - 14 if you count Paul as the author of Hebrews. If biblical historians are correct Galatians is his first epistle.

                Not to minimize the other books of the New Testament but when taken as a whole Paul’s letters contains more teaching concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, Church history, Christian doctrine, and Christian hope than any of the other contributors of the New Testament.

What’s In a Name?

                The Author of Galatians is the Apostle Paul (little). However, before his conversion he was called by his Jewish name, Saul, the “inquirer.” 

                Saul, the “inquirer” may be taken two ways: 1. He was an inquisitive man which accounts for his great intellect. 2. We get our word “inquisition” from “inquirer.” We normally look at the word “inquisition” in a bad light, viz. the Inquisition of Christians by the Roman and Spanish Churches during which many believers were martyred for their faith. Certainly Saul was brilliant having sat at the feet of the greatest teacher of the law in Jewish history, Gamaliel. Saul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin – while his unregenerate character is dubious, his intelligence and zeal can never be brought into question. As Saul, the inquirer, he ravaged the church of God, haling men and women, along with children into prison for being Christians.

                His Roman name, “Paul,” presents an entirely different picture of a his character.  As Paul he knew both Jewish tradition and theology including the Law of Moses and the Christian faith teaching Justification by faith alone in Christ alone, and that Christianity was a religion of love. Saul was a very ambitious and arrogant man hoping to build his reputation as the preserver of the Jewish faith. Paul was a humble man, seeking no personal fame, striving to spread a Gospel of the Good News – the Gospel.

                 The Apostle Paul was a special man chosen in a special way for a special ministry. He was a man of impeccable knowledge; a man of unrelenting labor; a man of unyielding doctrine; a man of incredible accomplishment.

                This morning we will open this letter and look first at Paul’s Opening Commentary, and then, as time permits, Paul’s Initial Concern and warning.

 

I. PAUL’S OPENING COMMENTARY – Beginning with Verses 1-5:

                1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 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: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Establishing Authority

• Paul an Apostle – Paul was accustomed to claim the title of “an Apostle.” He stressed this title to emphasize the authority of his station, and for the purpose of enforcing his doctrine.  We should as church members always bear in mind that we should listen to God alone, and to Jesus Christ. Whoever assumes the right to instruct us, must speak only in the name of our Lord.

 

• Not from men – Scripture warns that not man should take this honor unto himself (Hebrews 5:4). Men had not the right to bestow upon Paul the position of Apostle.  Apostles as everyone new then and as we know now, were all chosen by Christ – beginning with the twelve. Mathias was chosen not by the 11 to replace Iscariot, but by lot – meaning by God, not by the other men. Paul was chosen personally by Jesus Christ (Acts 9). We have no such men today. Any who call themselves apostles today do so at great risk of condemnation. Today’s “apostles” are all of human agency thus taking the honor unto themselves and not by God.

 

• Not by man – Paul (the Apostle chosen by Christ) and Barnabas journeyed to churches in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch confirming new converts and appointing elders in every church. He instructed Titus and Timothy to do the same (Acts 14:23 &I Timothy and Titus 1:5. This was the ordinary manner of electing pastors. One who assumes to appoint others to specific work must be seen as one who has the right to do so. The importance of Paul’s authority must not be understated. Paul was an Apostle not by man or from man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father! Therefore when Paul elected elders it was by and with authority of Christ and the Father. Paul passed this authority to Titus and Timothy who armed with the authority of the Apostle appointed elders in every city. It was the authority of the Apostle that the people respected, and since Titus and Timothy were “appointed by Paul” his authority now became theirs.

       

        Nowadays we do not have Apostles. Today, elders have a calling from God, but must first prove their calling. No man is to take this honor unto himself. To day elders are called by human agency, the church. Symbolically, a picture of authority is still evident in our churches as when a man is set apart by the church to be a pastor, elder, deacon, or missionary, it is the “laying on of hands” by godly men that “authorizes” these men for their chosen ministry. Calling and who does the calling makes all the difference.

 

• But by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raise him from the dead – Paul states that it was both Jesus Christ and God the Father who bestowed on him Apostleship. Paul did this to make the statement to give additional credence to his claim. If there was any one to whom the name of Christ was not sufficient to inspire reverence, let him know that I have also received my office from God the Father.

 

                Paul wrote: (Galatians 1:1) But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

                The major requirement to be an Apostle was that before his appointment he must have “been with” Jesus Christ. Did Paul ever meet Jesus Christ in his flesh? How did Paul become an apostle if he never saw the Lord Jesus face to face?  Paul’s own testimony will reveal his rightful claim to be an apostle. 2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh : yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh , yet now henceforth know we him no more. And further in 1 Corinthians 9:1 he declares: Am I not an apostle ? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? The conclusion that we draw from these declarations is the Paul certainly did see the Lord and was with him, thereby authenticating his apostleship.

                Aside from Paul being with Christ (proving his right to claim apostleship), what gives him the right to do the work of an apostle? Authority! The right to be an apostle and to be received as an apostle of Christ was the authority granted to them by the Lord.

                Paul’s authority was not endowed upon him by the laying on of the hands of men. No church agreed to send Paul forth to be an apostle. Neither Doctors of the Law, Chancellors of a school, President of a University, or President of a Seminary, nor any other administrative or ecclesiastical body authorized Paul to be an Apostle – His apostleship was granted by the Lord Jesus Christ who authorized Paul to a special apostolic ministry. As Peter was authorized to be an apostle and “sent” to the circumcision, so, Paul was authorized and “sent” to be the apostle to the uncircumcision.

Grace and Peace

                Paul offers to his readers’ God’s grace along with peace of soul, peace with men, and peace with God that only free grace can bring. Galatians 1:2-5  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 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: 5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Grace be to you

1. By grace, Paul means the “graciousness and love of God  freely given. Freely given without condition, but not without distinction.  Without Distinction means without thought of ethnicity, gender, status. It means here that God gives his grace freely to all to whom he has chosen from the dawn of time to receive it regardless of their status in life. It means that God’s is not under any compulsion or constraint to give grace to those he chooses. He freely gives it out of love to all who he loves.

 

1. A simple definition of God’s free grace is that it is “undeserved and unmerited favor.” He does not bestow grace as a reward for something good we have done – God views our human good works as “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Notice what Paul writes in Romans 11:6 referring to the “remnant of grace preserved at all times by the Lord. He says: And 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.

Peace

What does Paul mean by “peace?” In this instance peace is quietness, rest, set at one again. The “set at one again” has great value in helping us to understand the peace Paul speaks of: “set at one again” means that once were without God in this world. When once God and man was a peace with one another, but when Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, God removed himself for that relationship and man became hostile toward God. It was only until Christ who is the express image of the Father presented Humbled himself and took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh, that reconciliation between man and God was possible.

By the unmerited Grace of God we are now at peace – at one with God.