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Galatians 1

Galatians 1 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

Galatians 1 sets the tone for the letter with urgency and authority. Paul greets the churches in Galatia, states the true source of his message, and warns them against any different gospel. He also briefly tells his own story to show how God called him and changed his life.

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What happens in Galatians 1?

Paul begins by identifying himself as an apostle sent through Jesus Christ and God the Father. He blesses the churches with grace and peace and points to Christ's saving work. The chapter then turns sharply to the danger of a distorted gospel. Paul expresses astonishment that some are abandoning the one who called them and insists that any message contrary to the one already received is under judgment. He then defends the origin of his gospel, explaining that it came through revelation from Christ, not human teaching, and recounts how God transformed him from a persecutor into a preacher.

This opening chapter introduces the main concern of Galatians: protecting the gospel from being altered. Paul writes to churches in Galatia that are being influenced by teachers who add to or reshape the message of Christ. Before addressing the issue more fully, he establishes his apostolic authority and the divine source of his calling.

Themes to notice

  • Grace and peacePaul begins with a blessing that points to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as the source of true rescue.
  • One true gospelThe chapter strongly warns against any message that changes the gospel already received by the believers.
  • Paul's callingPaul explains that his mission and message came from Christ and are confirmed by the change in his own life.

Questions for Galatians 1

  • What does Paul say is at stake when the gospel is changed?
  • Why does Paul describe the source of his message in such detail?
  • How does Paul's story support his message to the Galatians?

Read the full text of Galatians 1 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

Galatians

Galatians 1

Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians

1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

Paul Preaches the Gospel

10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

11For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.15But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.20I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.23They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”24And they glorified God because of me.

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