Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – Lesson 1 – Commission, Greeting, and Gospel

Key Scripture: I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”, but there isn’t another “good news.” ~ Galatians 1:6-7

Galatians 1:1-10

1 Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ,✡ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—2 and all the brothers✡ who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”, 7 but there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.

Study Questions:

  1. Paul not only introduces himself, but he also states his title and his commission, stating that he was not commissioned by men, but by God and His son, Jesus Christ. Why do you think Paul added this to his opening introduction?
  2. In verse 2, Paul writes “and all the brothers who are with me.” Why is this significant?
  3. What is encapsulated in the greeting in verses 3-5? John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-5
  4. Why is Paul writing this letter to the churches of Galatia? Galatians 1:6-7; Acts 16:4-6a; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
  5. What other “good news” was being spread that was contrary to what had been preached by Paul to the Gentiles? Acts 15:1-2
  6. Give examples of how the gospel message is perverted in the modern-day church.
  7. In verses 6-9, what is Paul’s reaction to this other “gospel” message?
  8. What are some things we can do so we are not led astray like the Galatians? Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15
  9. What is Paul’s point in verse 10?
  10. Should followers of Christ expect to be persecuted? Matthew 5:11; 24:9; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12
  11. What does the Bible tell us about being persecuted? Matthew 5:10; 1 Peter 3:14; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Memory Verse: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. ~ Galatians 1:3-4

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✡ 1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.
✡ 1:2 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”