Paul’s Letter to the Galatians - Paul Sends a Letter (Galatians 1:1-12)

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Thursday Evening Study is studying Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Over five weeks we’ll consider the following topics:

• May 30 – Paul Sends a Letter (Galatians 1:1-12)
• June 6 – Grace (Galatians 1:13 - 2:21)
• June 13 – Examples One through Three (Galatians 3:1-29)
• June 20 – Examples Four through Six (Galatians 4:1 – 5:12)
• June 27 – So What (Galatians 5:7 – 6:18)

During our first session, we looked at Galatians 1:1-12. Below is a recording of our discussion and the passage.

Galatians 1:1-12 [New Revised Standard Version]

Paul an apostle—sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the members of God’s family who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to set us free from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!

Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin; for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.