COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS

LESSON NUMBER 1

Galatians 1:1-5

A study of the importance of maintaining the freedom for which Christ has made us free. The encroachment of the Law principle as a basis for justification is serious beyond our imagination. In this epistle, Paul warns believers of the seriousness of revertiug to human achievement to obtain Divine approval.

Introduction

The Galatians had been spiritually seduced — drawn aside from Christ to “another Gospel.” The Apostle “marvelled” at their departure from the real Gospel, because it was absurd to do so. There are no satisfactory explanations for being diverted from Jesus Christ. To a remarkable degree, this has happened in our day. This book holds a timeless message, particularly for those inclined to view Law as a means to becoming righteous.

VERSE 1: “Paul, an apostle (not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead)”

¨            This was a word from God, but it came through a messenger.

¨            The messenger is named—no ambiguity—”Paul.”

¨            He is a messenger that has been “sent”. he has not taken the honor unto himself—”An Apostle.”

¨            He is not sent from man, nor was he qualified by man.

¨            Jesus Christ Himself, and God the Father called and qualified

¨            The message is identified with a risen Christ and the One that raised Him. This is no mere traditional message!

Notice the contexts of the phrase “an Apostle”—Rom 1:1 (called to be . . . set apart to Gospel); 1 Cor 1:1 (by the will of God); 1 Tim 1:1 (by the commandment of God//Christ); 2 Tim 1:1 (Appointed herald/Apostle); Tit 1:1 (for the faith of God’s elect/knowledge of truth leading to godliness).

The thrust of Apostleship is not authority but provision! Here is a Divinely appointed means of producing and maintaining faith. The “truth” declared will produce righteousness in believers.

VERSE 2: “and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia”

¨            His ministry did not isolate him from his brethren.

¨            There was a general identity with the purpose of God within that sacred number. Their group was not the focus, but their God and His purpose.

¨            The fact that the message is addressed to “the churches” presumes it will be shared — passed along through the ranks of the believers. It was the topic of their conversation.

VERSE 3: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ”

¨            Both grace and peace come from God and Christ. They are not psychologial productions, or the result of self-effort.

¨            The message is powerless to effect change without these.

¨            Both strengthen, illumine, and enable growth/productivity. Acts 13:43; 14:26; 1 Cor 15:10; Phil 4:7

VERSE 4: “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us form this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father.

¨            DELIVERANCE was the point—not from calamity, hardship, or even sickness, but from “this present evil age (world, KJV)!” Beware of a religious thrust that makes this world primary! 2 Cor 1:10.

¨            The entire natural order has been corrupted—rendered unsuitable as a permanent habitat (Mic 2:10; 1 John 2:15-17).

¨            Friendship with the world = enmity with God (James 4:4).

¨            In Christ, we are essentially other-worldly!

To remain in fundamental harmony with the world order is to render the death of Christ personally meaningless. The effectiveness of that vicarious death is evidenced by separation from the condemned order. Where that has not taken place, the individual has not died with Christ (Rom 6:8; Col 2:20ff).

John Bunyan once said, “You can tell how close a person is to God by how they shutter at the word ‘world.’” That has a strange sound in a day of cameleon theology and indian rubber convictions. Galatia had forgotten this truth, and thus were drawing back to Law principle as a means to justification.

VERSE 5: “to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.”

¨            Glory is the response of an insightful heart.

¨            It is given to the One accomplishing the work.

¨            Because the effects are eternal, so is the glory given to Him.

¨            An understanding heart shouts, “Amen!”

              The word “glory” is very wide in its application; i.e., “dignity, glory, honour, praise, worship.” Angels (Lk 2:14; Cleansed leper (Luke 17:18); Abraham in believing (Rom 4:20); Christ receiving us to God’s glory (Rom 15:7); through Jesus Christ (Rom 16:27); glory goes with dominion (Rev 1:6); He is worthy to receive glory (Rev 4:11) . . .

THUS THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE CORRECTION OF THE GALATIAN RETREAT TO THE LAW-PRINCIPLE.