Tag: Galatians

Pervert the Gospel of Christ

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Galatians 1:7-10 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 

‘Pervert’ – Going back under the law and substituting it for the gospel is perverting the gospel of Christ (5:4).

‘Gospel of Christ’ – How the Gospel is referred to in Galatians: As the grace of Christ (1:8); a revelation (1:11-12); being not of or from man (1:11); that which justifies (2:16); giving the Spirit (3:2); working miracles (3:5); redeeming from the curse of the law (3:13); being of faith (3:22-25); redeeming those under the law (3:13); making us sons, not servants (1:4); bringing liberty (1:4; 5:1, 13); giving the new birth (4:21-31); abolishing circumcision (5:2); cancelling the law (5:18); the law of Christ (6:2).

‘Preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.’ The gospel had not only been preached to them, but they had received it and its benefits. Therefore, any removal from grace (1:6) or fall from grace (5:4) was backsliding from the gospel.

Eight outstanding doctrines taught in Galatians: Christians can fall from grace and be removed from Christ (1:6-8; 2:21; 3:1-5; 4:8-11, 19; 5:4, 19-21; 6:1-8). Paul’s gospel was a revelation from God (1:11 – 2:14). Justification is by faith alone without law works (2:15-3:29). Christians can live victoriously over sin (2:20 – 3:5; 5:16-6:8). The Spirit is for all believers (3:1-5, 13-14). The law of Moses is completely abolished (3:10-29; 4:21-31; 5:1). Backsliders must be reborn and return to grace (1:6-8; 2:17-21; 3:1-5, 10-12; 4:19; 5:1, 4, 7, 5:16-26; 6:1-8). All who go back to keeping the law are under obligation to observe the whole law or be cursed (3:1-5, 10-12; 4:21 – 5:4).

So Soon Removed

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Galatians 1:6 I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel 

‘Removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ’ Twenty things wrong with the Galatians: Being so soon removed from Christ (1:6). Permitting false teachers to pervert the gospel (1:7; 5:8-12). They were bewitched from obedience to the gospel of Christ (3:1; 5:7). They were crucifying Christ anew (3:1). Attributing their gospel blessings to the law of Moses (3:2). Beginning in the Spirit and seeking perfection in the flesh (3:3). Suffering for the gospel in vain by losing gospel benefits (3:4). Going back to the law of works to be justified (3:10-12; 5:4). Turning back to the weak and beggarly elements of the world (4:9). Desiring to be in bondage (4:9, 21). Going back to the observance of sabbaths and other festivals of the law (4:9-10). They considered Paul an enemy for telling them the truth (4:16). Were zealous for wrong things (4:17-18). Backslidden and in need of rebirth again (4:19). Were back in bondage to the law (5:1). Being convinced of circumcision (5:2). Were fallen from grace (1:6; 5:4). Using liberty as an occasion for the flesh to sin (5:13). Biting and devouring one another (5:15, 5:26). Seeking to escape the persecution of the cross of Christ (6:12).

‘Another gospel’ – the other gospel was the law which: Cannot justify (2:16; 3:11; 5:4); brings only the curse (3:10); is not of faith (3:12); cannot give an inheritance (3:18); was added only to make sin sinful (3:19; Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13; 1Jn. 3:4); was given only until Christ came (3:19, 23-25; Heb. 7:28; 9:9-10; Luke 16:16); could not give life (3:21); could not give righteousness (3:21); was a schoolmaster to lead to Christ (3:24-26; Matt. 11:11; Luke 16:16); is not in force for Christians (3:19-25); makes servants, not sons (4:1-3); brings bondage (4:9, 24; 5:1); was a religion of days, etc. (4:10); could not give the new birth (4:28-30); was cast out (4:21-31); demanded circumcision (5:2-3); if observed, cancels grace (5:4).

Greetings to Galatia

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Galatians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

‘Apostle’ [Greek: Apostolos] a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent.

‘Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.’ Note the two separate persons of the Godhead (John 1:1-2; 1Jn. 5:7).

‘Churches of Galatia’ – This letter was from the apostle Paul, written from Rome about 68 A.D., along with the book Hebrews, and was addressed to all the congregations of Galatia, a province of Asia Minor. There was no city by this name. How many congregations were in Galatia at this time is not known. It seems they all had the same troubles. The theme of this letter was to correct the fickle Galatians from further backsliding and following the legalizing, Judaizing teachers from Judea; and to set them straight regarding the relation of Christians of the new covenant with the Jews of the old covenant.

‘Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.’ Five reasons why Christ gave Himself: For our sins (1:4; Matt. 1:21; 26:28; 1Cor. 15:3; 1Pet. 2:24). That He might deliver us from this present evil world (1:4; Tit. 2:14). For His body of true believers – that He might sanctify them by the Word (Eph. 5:25-26). To be a ransom for all (1Tim. 2:6). For us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (Tit. 2:14).

‘That he might deliver us from this present evil world’ – Christ came to set us free from the bonds of sin that reign in our world. No Christian should claim that Christ died for the sin so that they can continue therein (Heb. 10:26-31), to be free means not to continue therein and thus make no place for satan and the curse (Rom. 6; 1Jn. 1:6; 3:1-10; 5:18). ‘To whom be glory for ever and ever.’ God won’t give the praise and honour that are due Him to angels, demons, men, or idols. Men must not take to themselves any glory for ideas, doctrines, works, wisdom, power, or ability that has come from God for His glory. Man is not worthy of such glory; how much less are images worthy of it.