Paul’s Greeting and the Essence of the Gospel (Galatians 1:1-5)
Scripture: Galatians 1:1-5
Today’s Word
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Galatians 1:1-5, NIV)
Background
Paul is writing to several churches in the region of Galatia, located in what is now central Turkey. This was an area where Paul had preached the gospel during his first missionary journey. However, after Paul left, false teachers appeared and began teaching that faith in Jesus alone was not enough for salvation—people also needed to follow Jewish laws and traditions. This was a serious problem that struck at the very heart of the gospel, which is why Paul urgently wrote this letter.
Paul begins by emphasizing that his apostleship did not come from human authority but was established directly by God. He then concisely presents the core of the gospel: Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age.
Key Terms Made Simple
- Apostle: A person with a special mission, chosen and sent directly by Jesus. Paul was called to be an apostle after meeting the risen Jesus.
- Grace: God’s love and gifts freely given to us, even though we don’t deserve them
- Present evil age: This current time period filled with sin and rebellion against God
- Rescue: To save or deliver someone from a dangerous or harmful situation
Key Expressions to Notice
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“Sent not from men nor by a man” (v.1)
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“God the Father, who raised him from the dead” (v.1)
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“To rescue us from the present evil age” (v.4)
Main Points of the Text
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Paul’s apostleship comes from God (v.1)
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The core of the gospel is Jesus’s sacrifice (v.4)
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The purpose of salvation is to rescue us from the evil age (v.4)
Applying to My Life
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Examine the foundation of my faith
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Focus on the core of the gospel
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Live a life set apart from the world
Think About It
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Why does Paul emphasize his apostleship so strongly at the beginning of this letter? How does this relate to the situation in the Galatian churches?
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What feelings arise when you read that “Jesus gave himself”? How should this impact your daily choices?
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What does it look like concretely in your life to be “rescued from the present evil age”? In what areas are you still held captive by worldly values?
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