The Book Of Galatians Chapter 1 Part 2 Reject False Gospels And Embrace Apostolic Truth

Paul's commissioning by Christ and a gospel summary are established.

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;) 2)  And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3)  Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4)  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: 5)  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

We first noted Paul's unusually strong declaration of his calling by Christ to be one of His disciples.

We also noted the formality of brethren who were witnesses of what Paul was guided to write to the Galatian churches.

Paul finished his introduction by giving a succinct and clear exposition of the gospel of Christ.

At this point, Paul will address the serious nature of false teachers making inroads throughout Galatia.

The Galatians surprising and swift folly in following a false gospel.

Galatians 1:6-7  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 

Paul was filled with the greatest surprise and sorrow. The Galatians' sin and folly was that they did not hold fast the doctrine of Christ as it had been preached to them.

Instead, they listened to another voice not of God and suffered themselves to be removed from the purity and simplicity of it.

The word translated "marvel" means to be filled with astonishment in this case. It's usage in the New Testament is worth noting.

Men who were with Jesus marvelled that the wind and the sea obeyed His voice (Matthew 8:27).

The first beast of Revelation will receive a deadly wound that will be healed and all the world will be filled with wonder and amazement (Revelation 13:3).

Jesus was astounded at the stubborn unbelief of the Jews (Mark 6:1-6).

Peter and John were used by God to heal a man born unable to walk. His healing caused people to marvel and the apostles preached Christ (See Acts 3).

The same cadre of unbelieving religious leaders apprehended Peter and John to forbid them to preach in the name of Jesus Christ. 

They were amazed at the boldness when the apostles spoke gospel truth to them (See Acts 4:1-13).

Thus, this word is used under both good and bad circumstances.

Galatian churches were swept away by false doctrine and another gospel.

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

Paul uses this word to describe his abhorrence that so many Galatians were listening to another voice.

Paul was astounded that Galatian Christians were so "soon removed" from the gospel. 

The word "removed" refers to transposing two things and in this case they put a false gospel before Christ's gospel.

It refers to a falling away like a soldier deserting his post or of transferring one's loyalty from one religion to another.

It was a matter of wonder to Paul that a people so soundly converted to God should quickly make a shipwreck of their faith.

Paul called them into the grace of Christ when he preached the gospel through Galatia.

They abandoned that gospel of grace and their hearts were greatly estranged from the apostle.

This was a very serious spiritual concern that needed a strong response and corrective from Paul.

They became double minded in their spirits and forfeited the peace of God.

James 1:5-8  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6)  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7)  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 ) A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 

The Galatians were like the double minded man James wrote about. God is willing and ready to give wisdom to His children when we ask.

We must ask it in faith without wavering. 

The Galatians were guilty of wavering and turning away from the true gospel of God to a false gospel preached by Judaizers.

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

The Galatians suffered inner agitation and lacked the peace from God that passes all understanding.

They were like the heaving massive waves of a storm tossed sea, full of noise and greatly churning in their soul.

They were double minded and unsettled in spirit. 

Ephesians 4:11-14  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

Jesus Christ gave rich gifts to help His church throughout the ages. He gave us His apostles and some prophets who were needed until the New Testament was completed.

He still gives us pastors, teachers and evangelists. All of their ministry focus is to be perfecting or bringing Christians to a mature faith in Christ.

The Galatians were removed from the gospel of Christ to another, spurious gospel. 

They were estranged from the apostle Paul and were like a ship without an anchor, broken free from its moorings.

They were spiritual children tossed back and forth by waves and winds of false teaching.

Many people proclaim false gospels that pervert the true gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:6-7  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 

"Another gospel" means one that is entirely different from the true gospel of Christ. 

False teachers were preaching a gospel that was not from God, was not Christ centric and added something to the finished work of Christ's cross.

Instead, they were perverting the gospel of Christ.

It was called a gospel but it differed greatly from the authentic Spirit inspired gospel. 

It was not gospel because it loaded them up with Judaism's burdens that the gospel of Christ freed them from. 

Instead of giving peace, it troubled and disturbed their minds. 

False teachers "troubled" Christians in Galatia. This was causing inner turmoil or removing their peace of mind.

Churches in Galatia were embroiled in spiritual turmoil by false teachers who perverted the gospel of Christ.

Instead of expounding the Gospel of Christ and its beautiful application, they perverted it by changing the truth into a lie. 

The Galatians gained nothing but loss and damage by exchanging the gospel of Christ for a false gospel.

A very strong condemnation of those who preach any other gospel.

Galatians 1:8-9  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. 9)  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. 

Paul pronounced an extremely strong condemnation upon false teachers who propagated a false gospel.

Conservative Bible scholar Adam Clarke (1762 to 1832) has a very helpful comment on this passage of scripture. 

He speaks as with the mind of Paul in the first person and his understanding of the Greek words is communicated well in his comments.

"That Gospel which I have already preached to you is the only true Gospel; were I to preach any other, I should incur the curse of God." 

"If your false teachers pretend, as many in early times did, that they received their accounts by the ministry of an angel, let them be accursed; separate them from your company, and have no religious communion with them."

"Leave them to that God who will show his displeasure against all who corrupt, all who add to, and all who take from the word of his revelation."

"Let all those who, from the fickleness of their own minds, are ready to favor the reveries of every pretended prophet and prophetess who starts up, consider the awful words of the apostle."

"As, in the law, the receiver of stolen goods is as bad as the thief; so the encouragers of such pretended revelations are as bad, in the sight of God, as those impostors themselves. What says the word of God to them? Let them be accursed. Reader, lay these things to heart."

Mr. Clarke accurately conveys the right sense of Paul's words in condemning the Galatians for following false teachers and leaving the gospel of Christ.

Are false teachers preaching another gospel today?

Certainly and we only need to look at people like Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Jessie Duplantis, Rick Warren, Creflo Dollar, and Kenneth Copeland. 

Look at their net worth and the false gospel of health, wealth, materialism and happiness that they preach. 

It is a gospel that appeals to the flesh but it is clearly contradicted by the plain truth of God's Word.

Each Christian has a duty to be anchored to the Word of God.

The Bible is our filter to trap false teaching and expose false teachers.

We must compare what man teaches to what God actually says in His Word.

This is the standard that God will hold us to. 

Do we live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God or are we heeding words of men?

Are we listening to the voice of God from His Word or are we listening to the seductive words of false teachers?

May each of us renew our effort to really learn what God says to us in His Word, so that we are protected from every wind of false doctrine that blows around.

Bob