Articles
Letter to the Galatians
Galatians: Paul's Apostleship
Paul, an apostle. True of not true. The letter to the Galatians is a defense of Paul's apostleship. Even today there are those who would deny this and throw all the writings of Paul out. Peter wasn't one of them (2Peter 3:15-16). They have argued that Paul's teaching was his own invention and religion that perverts the true teaching of Jesus and the 'true' apostles. The letter basically divides into three parts:
1) Defense of Paul's apostleship
2) Explanation of Paul's message
3) Exhortation to live according to the revelation of Jesus.
Defense of Paul's Apostleship: Gal. 1 - 2. The letter begins: "Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father,…" (Gal. 1:1). Paul here claims that he received his apostleship and message from God and that it was not learned from men. He shows this by showing that he didn't learn it in his early years as a Pharisaic Jew (1:11-14). He didn't spend time with any apostle when he was converted (Gal. 1:15-24). When he finally did meet with the other apostles, he AND HIS MESSAGE were accepted by them (2:1-10). When Peter preached a different message, Paul withstood him (2:11-20). Thus the history of Paul shows he did not receive this message from men, including the other apostles.
His message, being a revelation from God, is inspired and must be believed and followed. Thus the warning in Gal. 1:6-9 to not preach any other gospel.
What was this message? Gal. 3 - 5:15: Salvation is for ALL men through the forgiveness that is found in relationship to Jesus the Christ. Gentiles are fellow heirs of this promise. All who believe and are baptized into Christ are Abraham's seed. Such believers are free from the Old Covenant law but now serve under the authority of Jesus.
HOW then should we live? Gal. 5:15 - 6:18. We live a life of holiness as directed by the Spirit. We are brethren joined by our mutual faith in Jesus and thus support one another thru life's trials. In such life we dare not turn back to the Old (whether the old LAW or the old LIFE), but we ever follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Hugh DeLong
