Galatians Answers - Chapter 1

 

Galatians 1  How did Paul become an apostle of the Lord Jesus? vs. 1 Through Jesus Christ and God the Father; who raised Christ from the dead. What are the two things Paul opens his letter with as he does so often to the churches? vs. 3 Grace to you and peace. What does it mean to you when someone reminds you of these two things in your life brought to you by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ? So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace!  We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we’re in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God’s plan is that we all experience that rescue. [MSG] What was the purpose of Jesus giving Himself for our sins according to verse 4 & 5? So that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore.  Amen. What was Paul amazed about concerning the believers in the Galatian church? vs. 6,7 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another;  What caused the Galatians to desert God's grace in Christ? vs. 7 Some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. c.f. 2 Corinthians 11:4 - For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted ... The opponents came with eloquence, a swaggering boldness, and persuasive words that proclaimed a testimony about themselves rather than Christ.  Their preaching is false—a different Jesus, Spirit, and gospel—that can only lead Christians away from Christ. It is a gospel that apparently gives Paul’s rivals license to slander him, to boast beyond measure, to enslave others, to put on airs, to exploit others, to slap them around, and to live in boastful confidence in their racial heritage, religious achievements, and mystical experiences. It is not a gospel that requires converts to live by the cross of Christ.Garland, D. E. (2001, c1999). Vol. 29: 2 Corinthians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (466). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers. What did Paul say should happen to any person or even an angel from heaven if they were to preach to them a gospel contrary to what Paul had already delivered to them? vs. 8,9 He is to be accursed! Let that person be under God’s curse! [TNIV] What qualified Paul to be a bond-servant of Christ? vs. 10 ... Are you a bond-servant of Christ as well? How do you know? He seeked the favour of God and not men; strived to please God, not men. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. How did Paul receive the Gospel and who taught him the things concerning Jesus Christ? vs. 11,12 The gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. What did Paul do in his former manner of life in Judaism? vs.13,14 - Name 4 things. persecuted the church of God beyond measure tried to destroy it  advanced in Judaism extremely zealous for ancestral traditions When did God set Paul apart for His service? vs.15 It is the same for all of us. According to Psalm 139:13-16, What did God know about us before we were born? But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. When God was pleased to reveal His Son to Paul so that he would preach Him to the Gentiles, where did Paul go? vs.15-17 He went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. How long was Paul there before he met Cephas (i.e. Peter)? vs. 18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. Who was the only other apostle that Paul saw at that time? vs. 19 James, the Lord’s brother. Where did Paul go after that? vs. 21 He went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. Even after this, Paul was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea who were in Christ. What did they continue to hear about him? vs. 22-23 They kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy." What did his testimony cause them to do? vs. 24 And they were glorifying God. God knew that Paul would persecute the church, but it was after that before God revealed His Son to him and Paul became a Christian. Paul's past became a platform of ministry for him. Has God used your past to be a platform of ministry for you? Share if you would like. Think on this lesson; summarize; and post your thoughts and prayers. Chapter Summary: Paul asserts his divine appointment to the apostolical office, [v.1] He salutes the churches of Galatia, and praises God, [2-5]. He sharply reproves the Galatians for so soon turning aside to a false gospel; and denounces an awful curse on all who preach any other doctrine, than that which they had received from him, [6-10]. He declares that he had his authority and instructions from Christ; and shows what his conduct had been before his conversion, and what it was afterwards, [11-24]. Smith, J. H. (1992; Published in electronic form, 1996). The new treasury of scripture knowledge : The most complete listing of cross references available anywhere- every verse, every theme, every important word (1367). Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson.  Prayer Father God, I thank You that Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we’re in by offering Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Your plan is that we all experience that rescue. I pray that all my family experience this rescue.  Amen.