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Revelation From God – Galatians 1
Revelation From God – Galatians 1
Paul begins with the affirmation that he was "an apostle - not from men nor through man but through Jesus Christ and God the Father…" (1:1). An apostle is one who is sent. Paul was chosen, prepared, and sent by Jesus. As such he had the very power and authority of Jesus behind his teaching.
He strengthens it by declaring that the gospel he preached was NOT man’s gospel: he did not receive it from any man, nor did man teach it to him. He received this teaching by revelation from Jesus. The revealed word of God is the inspired word of God. It is THE faith (cp. Eph. 4:4-6 - there is ONE faith). In its purity it is the truth (2:5).
Paul then shows from his personal history that there was no situation available when he could have learned this from other men. He did not learn it BEFORE He became a disciple (13-14). Upon being baptized, he immediately began preaching this message (15-17; cp. Acts 9:20). When he did get together with Peter it was for 15 days, not enough time to ingest such teaching (18-20). He then went into Syria and Cilicia, far from any other inspired man and thus was in no position to be learning from men (21-24).
His original teaching was accepted as the truth of God’s good news about Jesus. The other apostles listened to his teaching and then gave him the ‘right hand of fellowship’ - their stamp of approval and commendation (2:9).
Being a revelation from God, it cannot be changed by men with impunity. Even if one claimed the authority of an angel from heaven, the message cannot be changed (1:8-9). Even the apostles were not free to change what God revealed (cp Peter in chapter 2). Even if the majority of popular teachers vote to change it, God's word is not to be modified and changed. To make changes in this message is to pervert the gospel. If we are ‘out of step with the truth of the gospel’ (cp. 2:14), it is US that need to change and not God’s word. Popular opinions and social mores come and go, but God’s word abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23-25).
We thus have the setting of the letter against those who had attempted to change the message of God. God's word is to be taught as originally revealed. There was a movement within the community of disciples to change the message. This movement was strong and persuasive. It included some of the leading men among the disciples. It was vigorously promoted. It was WRONG.
Having set the background and the ground rules for the discussion, Paul then sets forth the basic message of this revelation (2:16, 20). In chapters 3 and 4, Paul presents various arguments showing the truthfulness of his teaching.
As with most of Paul's letters, he spends the last part in giving practical applications. Truth is to be lived, not just believed. The just shall live by faith. Chapters 5 and 6 contain these exhortations on living as a disciple of Jesus.
His original teaching was accepted as the truth of God’s good news about Jesus. The other apostles listened to his teaching and then gave him the ‘right hand of fellowship’ - their stamp of approval and commendation (2:9).
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1).
Hugh DeLong
