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Galatians - The Undisputed Letters of Paul - Galatians 1
Galatians - The Undisputed Letters of Paul - Galatians 1
If you do a Google search on which letters of Paul are considered to be undisputed, you get a list containing Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians, and Philemon. Of course, the WHY these and not others require some further study on your part. But you see that Galatians is on almost every such list you can find.
However, such ‘undisputed’ letters were NOT received by all would-be disciples in the 1st century! What was disputed was Paul’s apostleship and authority! While almost everyone who is a disciple today accepts Paul and his writings, such was challenged by some in the 1st century! This in fact was being challenged in some of the churches.
This is then the underlying problem addressed in Galatians 1-2. Did Paul just make things up? Did Paul get his information 2nd hand? Was Paul inspired in His letters? In other words, was Paul really an apostle with the same ‘credentials’ and ‘authority’ as the other apostles? Here is a basic outline of Paul’s proof of such as you read Galatians. Read these first two chapters and fill in the specifics.
· The basic proposition: Gal. 1:11-12
· The proof seen in His conversion. Gal. 1:13-17
· The proof seen in His life after conversion. Gal. 1:18-2:21
· The conclusion is the proposition we started with! (11) For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. (12) For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12
He affirmed such apostleship and inspiration: Here in Galatians 1, then see 1 Cor. 14:37; 1 Thess. 2:13; etc. ). The apostles ‘gave him the right hand of fellowship – they approved of His authority. (Gal. 2:7-9). Peter specifically alludes to such in 2 Peter 3.15.
As you read this letter, keep this in mind that you are reading a letter inspired by God. Some things may be difficult to put into practice in your life, but they are the commandments and instructions of Jesus. Thus, the directive the apostles heard on the mount of transfiguration: “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5)
Are you listening?
Hugh DeLong
