Tyndale Open Study NotesGalatians 1

Some people were against Paul and questioned whether he was a true apostle. They did not believe he was honest and did not think he had the right to be a leader in the church. So Paul begins his letter by explaining that he really was an apostle with authority from God.

In all his letters, Paul introduces himself and greets the recipients. This greeting stands out because:

1. Paul strongly asserts his authority as an apostle (1:1).

2. Instead of offering thanks, prayer, or praise, he gives a rebuke (1:6–10).

• Paul, an apostle: Apostles were representatives with authority given by a church or council (for example, 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25). However, the Jerusalem church did not appoint Paul as an apostle. Instead, Jesus Christ himself chose Paul, giving him Christ’s authority (Acts 9:1–15; 26:12–20; see also Romans 1:5). This authority was equal to that of other apostles.

• Paul said that God the Father gave him his authority as an apostle. This happened because God raised Jesus from the dead. The fact that Jesus rose from death made it possible for Paul to receive his special work from God.

• all the brothers with me: Paul likely wrote from Antioch of Syria. Antioch was the center of Paul’s ministry and the first hub of Gentile Christianity (see Acts 11:20–26). Paul was not alone, although his opponents in Galatia might have suggested that, but he was in fellowship with an important New Testament church.

• Paul probably founded the churches of Galatia during his first missionary journey (Acts 13:4–14:26; see Galatians Book Introduction, “Recipients”).

Paul followed the common style for first-century letters. He included a greeting, wished for well-being, and introduced the main topic, the good news about Jesus.

Grace and peace to you from God: This is a common greeting by Paul (see also study note on 1 Corinthians 1:3). It combines Greek and Hebrew greetings. "Grace" (Greek charis) is similar to "greetings" (Greek chairein). "Peace" reflects Hebrew shalom. Paul included both Jewish and non-Jewish Christians (compare Galatians 3:28). The Galatians risked losing God's grace and peace (3:1–4; 5:1–4).

This summary of the good news about Jesus is the basis for the following criticism (1:6–10). It might be a creed or statement of faith that Paul used to remind the Galatians of the message they had accepted before.

• Since Jesus fully rescued us from our sins, we do not need to try to save ourselves.

• Christian faith rescues us from the evil world we live in (see 4:8–12; 5:13–26).

We should thank God alone for salvation because it is his work alone.

I am amazed: In most of his letters, Paul usually expressed gratitude and prayed for those who received his letters after his greeting (for example, Romans 1:8–10; 1 Corinthians 1:4–5; Philippians 1:3–6; Colossians 1:3–5; 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12). But he had nothing positive to say about the Galatian church.

• The Galatians were deserting (or abandoning) God by rejecting the good news about Jesus that Paul shared. Instead, they were depending on the law. God called them to himself through Christ's loving mercy, not through the law (2:16).

• the One who called you: See 1:15; Romans 8:30; 9:24; 11:29.

• a different gospel: Some people taught that non-Jewish Christians had to be circumcised to join God's family. Paul rejected any requirement other than faith in Jesus (see Galatians 5:2–4).

• The "different gospel" (1:6) was a distortion and not the true message of salvation. The only way to be saved is through faith in Christ. Adding any extra requirements changes the message and it is no longer the good news.

• some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ: The Judaizers (a group insisting on Jewish customs) knew they were altering the good news about Jesus to match their beliefs.

• let him be under a curse! (literally Let that person be anathema): The Greek word anathema often translates the Hebrew kherem, which in the Old Testament means something dedicated to God for complete destruction (see Leviticus 27:28–29; compare Romans 9:3; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 16:22). Paul called for God's strongest wrath on those who distort the good news about Jesus (Galatians 1:7).

• even if we or an angel from heaven: No one is allowed to change the good news (compare 2:6–10, 11–14).

a gospel contrary to the one you received: the gospel (the good news about Jesus) the Galatians had received was exactly what Paul had preached to them (1:8; compare 2 Thessalonians 2:15).

• The tone and content of this letter show that Paul did not seek to win people's approval. The Judaizers likely criticized Paul for trying to please people by focusing only on faith and grace, not including the law, which they saw as the whole message.

• Being Christ’s servant means staying true to Christ, no matter how others react (see Acts 5:29; Ephesians 6:5–6; 1 Thessalonians 2:3–6).

The Judaizers (people who insisted on following Jewish customs) came to Galatia. They preached that both faith and circumcision were necessary. They questioned Paul's authority as an apostle and tried to discredit his message. Paul defended his authority by showing that past events proved his message was the true good news.

the gospel I preached: Paul taught that people are made right with God by grace and through faith, not by following the law (see 2:16–17; Romans 10:9–13; Ephesians 2:8–9).

• I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it: Jewish scholars mainly relied on teachers. The Judaizers claimed Paul received his special mission and message from the other apostles, but then had unfaithfully changed the message.

• I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ: See 1:17; Acts 9:3–15; 26:12–18. Paul's unique experience gave him special authority and insight. However, he learned many things about the life of Jesus from other people (for example, Galatians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; 15:3–11).

To show that his message was not from human reasoning (devised by man, 1:11), Paul explains his life before meeting Jesus. He was a very successful Jew (see Acts 8:1–3; 22:1–5; 26:4–5; Philippians 3:4–7). His opposition to God's church and strict following of Judaism showed his belief in the law before Christ confronted him (Galatians 1:15–16).

zealous for the traditions of my fathers: Paul was very passionate about following the Jewish religious traditions he learned from his ancestors (see Mark 7:6–13).

• God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb: God chose Paul for special work even before he was born. This is like how God chose other leaders (see Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13–16; Isaiah 49:1–6; Romans 9:10–13).

• called me by His grace: For Paul's conversion story (how he became a follower of Jesus), see Acts 9:1–19; 22:1–21; 26:9–23.

• Paul was called to share the good news about Jesus with non-Jews (Galatians 2:7). He even taught other apostles what this meant (see Galatians 2:11–21).

• to reveal His Son in me: This might refer to Paul's meeting with Christ (Acts 9:1–19; see also 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8). In me might also mean an inner revelation (see Galatians 2:20; 4:6–7) and suggests that Paul's changed heart showed Christ to others.

Paul learned directly from the Lord and did not consult with any person, not even the other apostles. Paul was independent from the other apostles but still agreed with them (2:1–10).

• Paul considered his role as an apostle equal to that of the original disciples (see 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:5–9; compare Acts 1:22; 10:41).

• Paul's journey to Arabia is not mentioned elsewhere. He likely developed his understanding of the good news about Jesus during that time. Paul was familiar with:

  • the Scriptures (see Acts 22:3),

  • the beliefs of the first Christians (see Acts 8:1), and

  • what others had shared with him since he became a follower of Jesus.

Peter and James spent fifteen days discussing Paul's message, which matched theirs. Paul did not get his authority from the Jerusalem church. His role and authority as an apostle was independent of Jerusalem.

• Only after three years (or in the third year): This could be three years after Paul became a follower of Jesus or three years after his return from Arabia. This event is likely the visit mentioned in Acts 9:26–30.

• to confer with Cephas (Peter): Peter had something Paul did not—personal experience with Jesus during his time on Earth.

• Paul spent fifteen days with Peter. This was not enough time for Peter to become Paul's teacher, but it gave them enough time to talk carefully about what they were teaching people about Jesus.

I assure you before God: Paul swears before God to emphasize that his story about his trip to Jerusalem is true.

Paul was not working under the guidance of the apostles in Jerusalem or the churches in Judea.

The church in Jerusalem was very happy when Paul became a follower of Jesus. This change (compare 1:13–14) and his message were both God's work (compare Acts 9:31). The way Paul taught about Jesus matched what the Jerusalem church believed.