Galatians 2:1-16

Galatians 2:1-5 1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was[not] compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

 
We have discussed on more than one occasion the idea of literary genre in the scriptures. One of the points that I made was that there are different rules that have to be utilized when studying the epistles versus narrative literature. As we pointed out, narrative literature tells a story. Therefore, in order to properly interpret narrative literature, the context of the story must be understood. Once the context of the story is understood, then the theology that God desires to communicate through the story can be properly understood.
 
What is interesting about this part of the epistle (letter) to the Galatians is that there is a narrative taking place. So we are dealing with a narrative within the epistle. Essentially, Paul is telling the story of how things progressed after his conversion. He explains that he was taught the truth of the Gospel through revelation. He has also explained that he had minimal contact with the original disciples for quite some time after his conversion.
 
In the portion we will cover tonight, he explains that he encountered the same group that is perverting the Gospel and turning the Galatians away from the truth on two previous occasions. The first occasion occurred in Jerusalem when Paul and Barnabas left Antioch and took Titus with them to see the disciples in Jerusalem. The second occurrence took place when these Judaizers came from Jerusalem to Antioch and caused trouble through Peter.
 
As always, in order to properly understand a narrative, you have to be familiar with the characters of the story. In addition, you also have to be aware to some extent about geography and time frames. Lastly, which should be obvious, the more overall context you have regarding the circumstances, the more you can understand what the story is communicating.
 
In this first portion of scripture, the important characters are Titus and the Judaizers. Essentially, you could say that the dispute or problem is centered upon this group and this individual Titus. Paul and Barnabas had been in Antioch doing ministry:
 
 

 Acts 11:22-26Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
 
 

So Paul and Barnabas are first hand seeing the Gentiles being converted to Jesus. And there are problems with some people in Jerusalem still going around saying that people must be circumcised and obey the Law in order to be saved:
 
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
 
Now, it is important for us to understand that any modern day preacher in his right mind would not teach something this ridiculous. However, let me say that the same spirit that was behind this lie then is alive and well and operating in the church today. It is called the spirit of legalism. Legalism states that something must be added to the work of Jesus. Some would say, "I would never fall prey to that because I know that you cannot do anything to be saved." But what they do not realize is that many preachers will present a message that teaches faith in Jesus for salvation, but a system of works in order to live for Him.
 
The same way we received him is the same way that we are to continue daily walking in Him:
Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
 
With all this in mind, many scholars believe that Paul purposefully brought Titus to Jerusalem as a "test case" to see how the disciples would respond. In other words, Paul wanted to see if they really did believe that man is saved based on faith in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified alone.
 
We don't have time to cover it in detail here, but as you read the book of Acts, you will discover that Paul had another protege named Timothy whom he did encourage to be circumcised. At first glance, it would seem that Paul was double- minded. However, his reasons for reacting differently we're based on the context. In the case of Timothy, the purpose was to give them access to areas where only Jews could go in order to preach the Gospel. Timothy was half Jew, and he was willing to be circumcised for the sake of spreading the Gospel. Paul said, "I have become all things to all men so that I might win some...to the Jew, I became a Jew." However, in the case of Titus, the pressure was coming from false brothers who were stating that without circumcision there was no salvation.
 
This is Paul's description of that encounter:
 
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
 
Paul explains that they were Pseudo adelphos = false brethren. They called themselves Christians, but they believed in a different Gospel. Essentially, you could say they were working for Satan whether they knew it or not because they were attempting to pervert the Gospel.
 
Privily= that they came in with stealth for the purpose to steal.
 
What did they want to steal? They wanted to steal Paul, Titus, and Peter's liberty. Paul was constantly accused by the opposition of giving his followers license to sin. In other words, the message that he preached was the finished work of Christ for both salvation and righteous living. His point was that the Law was fulfilled in Christ and God's righteousness is no longer found written on tablets of stone. Instead, God's righteousness is a person named Jesus who has come to live in the hearts of those who have believed. The result is that the righteous one now dwells within us giving us strength to accomplish what He desires and behave the way that He requires. The false brethren and others felt as though if the people did not have the boundaries of the Law before them, then they would live lives of sin. However, the prophet promised that in the New Covenant, the Law would be written upon the hearts of the people (Jeremiah 31:31). In other words, in the New Covenant, the author of the Law would reveal God's will internally. And the grace of the New Covenant would give the believer strength to accomplish God's will.
 
But false doctrine wants to steal that liberty through Law and bring the believer under bondage. Paul's response is that they did not subject themselves even an hour to these people. The idea of subjection means that they undoubtedly wanted Paul to come under their authority. But Paul's response is that it did not happen...not even for a moment. Paul stood strong in the face of opposition because he knew what was at stake. What was at stake? The truth of the precious Gospel that Jesus bled and died to purchase for the church.
 
 

Galatians 2:6-10 6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat [disciples], (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me[added nothing to my message]:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
 
 

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.
 
As we know, the Judaizers were belittling Paul to the Galatians. And based on what Paul is stating here it seems that the Judaizers might have been overly impressed with and possibly putting the Apostles on a pedestal above everyone else. Paul's response is that God is not a respecter of persons. The Judaizers can say what they want, but when Paul sat with the apostles and explained the message he preached, the apostles did not add to it. Instead, they endorsed Paul and Barnabas' ministry [giving of the right hand].
 
Furthermore, it was obvious to the disciples that the same God that was working in Peter ministering to the Jews was the same God that was working in Paul as he ministered to the Gentiles.
 
In this passage, the words translated in English: effectually and mighty are the same word in the Greek. The word is:  Energeo- to be active: to be mighty.
 
 

Galatians 2:11-16 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled [to act hypocritically] likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation [hypocrisy]. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
 
 

Essentially, what happened in the story is that Peter came from Jerusalem to Antioch to visit the work that Paul and Barnabas were doing. While there, he enjoyed fellowship with the Gentile brothers. But when certain men came from James [the church in Jerusalem] Peter acted like a hypocrite by separating himself from the Gentiles and staying with the Jewish brothers. His act of hypocrisy was so blatant that it began to cause a ripple effect in the church there. Even Barnabas was caught up in the mess.
 
The situation was causing so much damage that Paul rebuked Peter openly in front of everyone. It is important for us to realize that sometimes public correction is required. Peter's actions were done in public therefore the correction needed to be done in public.
 
It is important that we understand that in Christ we are all level at the foot of the cross. In other words, God does not look at skin color, finances, nationality, or anything else regarding a person's right standing with Him. Unfortunately, people do. There are rich people in churches across America that do not want to associate with poor people. And there are white people in churches across America that do not want to associate with people of color. And there are people in churches across the globe that do not want to associate with others because of differences in national origin.
 
But if you are in Christ, you are not black or white! You are not rich or poor! You are not American or European! You are a new creation in Christ and Jesus shed His blood to ransom your soul. Anyone in the church who would treat you any other way may not even be born again. And if they are truly born again, I can assure you that God is not pleased with their behavior.
 
If you look at the second part of verse 14 "...if you being a Jew..." through the end of 16, the idea of what Paul is saying is that we, as Jews were given the Law [Word] of God. We are a nation that He created for His own specific purpose to reveal Himself to the world. But as God's people, living under the Law, we were incapable of being pleasing or righteous in the eyes of God. We have learned firsthand that righteousness comes through faith in the Christ...not through the working of the Law.

Galatians 1:1-10

Gal 1:1,2  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:

We spoke last week about the Apostle Paul’s miraculous conversion and the changing of his name from Saul to Paul. We should all be reminded on a daily basis that God wants to change us so drastically in Christ that it would make sense to change our names also because we are not the same person we once were.  And so Paul not only greets the Galatian church with his new name, which may not mean much to us but to him it represents his conversion. However, the Apostle Paul was not only converted, he was also called.

Paul, an apostle, … the word apostle describes Paul’s calling. Actually, the official definition of the word apostle from the Greek apostolos - simply means- a messenger, ambassador: one that is sent.

What is interesting is that immediately Paul begins to explain to the Galatian churches that his calling has not been given by man. Instead, God Himself has called the Apostle to represent Him as an ambassador/ messenger of the Gospel message. It is important for us to understand that it is God, through the Holy Spirit, who calls the man into ministry. Unfortunately, religious man is always attempting to operate in the place of God. Please do not misunderstand me there are many times when people think they are called, however, they are not spiritually mature to be in a position of leadership. On the other hand, religious man oftentimes creates an ecclesiastical ladder upon which others have to climb in order to prove their calling.

Obviously, there is some of this taking place in the situation Paul is encountering with the Galatians. We spoke last week about the Judaizers. It appears from this statement and others that Paul will make in the future that these Judaizers were not only bringing in false doctrine, but they were also attempting to belittle or make Paul look less than capable in the eyes of the Galatian Christians.

Paul’s response is that his calling is (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;). Paul is making it clear that he was called by God Himself. Man operates in the natural, and he is limited by his physical surroundings. However, God is supernatural… He is the God of resurrection. He makes dead things live. And this is who called Paul into ministry. Let it be known that God calls the man. However, spiritual men that are not concerned about building their own ministry will recognize the anointing placed by God upon an individual’s life.

Maybe I am speaking to you right now. There is a good possibility that someone within the sound of my voice feels as though some leader somewhere has looked them over. God knows how to find a place for your gift. But if you allow the enemy to put bitterness in your heart when people pass you by, then you will become ineffective for God. A root of bitterness is one of the fastest ways for the enemy to sideline a Christian who is willing to work for God. Listen Christian…we must ask ourselves this question, “Who are we planning to please or serve?” In other words, a leader may not be willing to put you in the spot of ministry that you think you should be in. However, real ministry takes place outside the walls of the church. No leader can prevent you from serving people on the outside. No one can prevent you from feeding the hungry, clothing the naked or finding shelter for the homeless. And if you as a Christian cannot find a Pastor to get behind you and encourage you in that endeavor then do it on your own. You don’t need someone’s permission to serve people in the public and tell them about Jesus. In addition, it doesn’t mean that you should not still find a church where the truth of the Gospel is being preached and be faithful to the gathering of the body. If the Pastor is preaching the Gospel, but does not see what you are doing for the Kingdom as something worth supporting, that is between him and God. Do you honestly believe that Pastor’s do not miss God? Please, they are humans. They miss God just like the rest of us. The question is whether or not we will allow rejection to breed bitterness in us. Often, God allows these trials to work things out in us. Sometimes people have a submission problem. And most of us have control issues. When we learn how to submit to God, it is easy to submit to man. Furthermore, God knows how to put us in the right spot. As we move forward, we will see that Paul will continue to defend his position of authority that was given to him by God.

Gal 1:3-5  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.

In every epistle Paul writes, he places in the greeting this statement Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus, or something similar. It is easy to have the tendency to just look over this statement as though he is just greeting the church. But this statement contains within it a very important truth for the Christian. Grace produces peace! All people- on every inch of this globe are looking for peace. However, they continue to look in all the wrong places. True peace is a by- product of a proper relationship with the creator of the universe.

It is important that we understand what Grace really means. I have shared this many times with the bible study group, but this truth had a profound effect on my life, therefore, I am compelled to continue to define the word time and again.

Grace= a divine influence on the heart with its reflection in the life.

What does that mean? It means that grace is an inside job. In other words, the definition says that it is divine…meaning it is from God.

Influence= The capacity or power of people or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions of others.

Essentially, what the definition of grace is telling us is that God is the powerful source that is working on the inside of a person causing a change to take place. Furthermore, the result is that the change is manifested outwardly through the person. Oftentimes, when people struggle with certain issues, mankind wants to clean them up from the outside. We will run them through a program and get them to work some steps. However, God operates through grace. Where does the grace come from? Yes, we have already established that it comes from God, but more specifically, grace is dispensed into the life of the believer through the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the hands that God has chosen to use upon this earth. He is the comforter who has been called alongside to help (John 16:7). This is an important concept to consider because grace is essential to victory in the life of the believer. Where are you right now in your life? What are you going through? Whatever it is…grace is sufficient.

      So grace is supplied through the person of the Holy Spirit, but it was purchased through the shed blood of Jesus. This truth is seen in the next portion of this verse: Who gave himself for our sins. Without a connection to God, there is no access to grace. Yet, Jesus, through His sacrifice on Calvary, purchased a position of right standing for us with God. And in the midst of this position, grace is freely flowing:

       Rom 5:1,2  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The concept of justification, at least according to the gospel, means that a person has been declared legally innocent based off their faith in what God has provided in payment for man's guilt.
 
Romans 4:2-3  2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
 

When we get to Galatians chapter 3, we will explain, in detail the object of Abraham’s faith. But for now I want to give you this thought: the scripture says that Abraham was accounted as righteous because of faith. Unfortunately, many have been taught that the faith of Abraham was based on his belief that God would be able to produce a son for him through Sarah. While his offspring was certainly part of the plan that was not what Abraham ultimately believed God about. Furthermore, some have even gone as far as to say that Abraham believed God regarding wealth. However, it is important for us to understand that faith in only one thing produces righteousness. The plan I speak of is faith in God's plan of salvation, which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I want to leave you with this thought because we must move on...Abraham's faith was in Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And faith in that put righteousness in his heavenly account.
 
So what we have been talking about is the supply of grace, which is given to a believer through the person of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, what makes a person an eligible recipient of this grace is the fact that they have placed their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus as the proper payment for their guilt and sin. Once a person does this, they are now in a new position. In this new position, they are in right standing with God.  Unfortunately, too many Christians think they have received their “get out of Hell free card” and then sit on the pew in church...never growing or maturing in Christ. There is kingdom business to be taken care of today!
 
 

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father:
 
 

It is the will of the Father that you and I are delivered from this present evil world and this is only done through the sacrifice of Jesus. Look at the verse: this is the exact reason that He gave Himself for our sins so that we could be delivered from this present evil age.
 
Now I want to make something clear...there is a future day coming when the human race will be delivered and set free from evil for all eternity. However, that day has not arrived yet. And this passage is speaking about where we are presently.
 
In the Greek the word for world is actually aion  where we get our word eon. This word actually describes an age or time-frame. We are in the midst of a specific time-frame of God's salvation history. This time-frame is known as the church age. We have discussed this in detail throughout the bible study, but it is important that I remind you. During the church age, the kingdoms of darkness and light are co- existing. The scriptures are clear that Satan is the God of this world. Adam, through the fall, relinquished his position of leadership and dominion to the evil one. Ultimately, God is in control, however, in this age He has chosen to accomplish His will through a mortal creation by empowering them with grace through His Spirit. However, without the cross, there is no access. And without the cross, there is no grace. And without grace, there is no victory.
 
What I need you to understand is that within this "present evil age" humanity is enslaved under the power of evil, but not you child of God. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has come to liberate you from the bondage of evil. God's grace is power to change the inside so drastically and radically that the outside will line up with the inside if we let grace have its way. Yes, humanity is enslaved under this present age of evil, but the Gospel is the true Emancipation Proclamation. It proclaims that Jesus has purchased your freedom over the power of sin.
 
With this in mind, where there is grace, there is peace. However, for the believer who does not understand what the proper object of faith is, or the unbeliever who is completely disconnected from God, there is no peace. There is only turmoil and frustration around every corner. Now, let me be clear. I am not saying that there are no trials in the life of the believer who understands how to access God's grace through proper faith. Instead, I am saying there is peace in the midst of those circumstances because God's grace is flowing.
 
 

Galatians 1:6  I marvel [disturbing surprise]that ye are so soon removed [to transfer or change sides]from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
 
 

This verse explains the whole problem that the Galatians were experiencing. Sadly, this verse explains the whole problem that most Christians today are experiencing. What is the problem...you ask?
 
The problem is a different gospel. Satan has always attempted to corrupt the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has not changed his tactics. He twisted God's words in the garden; he was twisting the Gospel through the mouths of the Judaizers; and he continues to contort and confuse the scriptures through preachers today.
 
Sometimes the twisting is obvious. They deny his virgin birth. They deny His Deity [Jehovah’s witnesses]. They say an angel told them "this or that [Mormonism, Islam]." They say, “It wasn't the real Jesus that died on the cross but another one [Islam].” They say, ”You need to follow another prophet and Jesus” [Mormonism]. They say don't be so close minded.
 
But then there are the ones that are more slithery. They fly under the radar. They do not deny anything obvious but they let people come into their church and talk about non- biblical meditation. They teach "contemplative prayer", which is a form of meditation. They avoid words like blood, sin, and cross because they are offensive. They teach a system of works that says, “When you struggle this is what you need to do." But the thing they tell their people to do is not, “Keep trusting in the finished work of Christ for that alone is what gives access to the grace of God." Instead, they preach another gospel.
 
 

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
 
 

In verse 7, there are 3 very important words that stick out:
 
(1) Another- in the Greek, this word literally means [different]
 
So Paul is saying that he is amazed or bewildered. In other words he is full of surprise at how quickly the Galatians have embraced false doctrine.
 
(2) Trouble- to agitate or move the inward parts to and fro causing internal commotion and lack of peace.
 
(3) Pervert- corrupt
 
The Galatians have found themselves in the midst of a mess. They have put their faith in a perverted gospel and the result is not peace, but internal commotion. Where are you right now in your walk with God? Have you experienced multiple years of frustration as a Christian? Has your walk not been lining up with the Word of God? Is there internal commotion and a tossing to and fro? If you answer yes to any of these questions, there is a good possibility that you have been taught to place your faith in the wrong gospel.
 
 

Galatians 1:8-9 8 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.
 
 

Listen, Paul warned the Galatians and every human being willing to listen from that point forward that even if an angel was to preach gospel, if it is different than this gospel, it is a perverted gospel and that both angels and men that would do such a thing need to be accursed.
 
Sadly, we have seen men refuse to listen to Paul. As we said in the intro, Galatians was written in AD 48-50. Mohammed did not receive his "revelation" from "Gabriel" until approximately AD 600.
 
Joseph Smith received his "revelation" about Mormonism in the 1800's from the "Angel Maroni". Both men refused to listen to the words of Paul.
 
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
 
Fallen angels are in the business of preaching a perverted gospel. Furthermore, they have ministers that work with them in this endeavor.
 
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
 
Listen carefully. Paul warned that Satan operates with subtlety. This word means with trickery and craft. In other words, what you see is not reality. In this passage, Paul tells us that there are people preaching messages that have the name of Jesus in them. And there is a spirit associated with their "gospel". But it is not the same Jesus that he preached, and it is not the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it is a completely different gospel.

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade [win over] men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Obviously, the Apostle Paul was being accused by the Judaizers of attempting to win men over by preaching what they thought was an “easy” message. Remember, the whole thrust of the Judaizers was that circumcision must be added to faith in Christ. In their minds, the people were being given an easy way out. Paul’s question explains that his purpose is not to please men, but God.

Religion did not like it then, and religion does not like it now that Jesus did it all. You mean to tell me that I don’t have to go be circumcised to be saved?...absolutely not! Do I have to go to church three times per week in order to be right with God? Absolutely not…however, for the person who is truly saved there will be a desire to fellowship within the body of Christ. You mean I don’t have to pray four times per day to go to Heaven? No! Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty for your sin. Your faith in that makes you innocent in the eyes of God and that alone makes you eligible for Heaven. However, true believers will be moved upon by the Holy Spirit and encouraged to pray.

Who are you attempting to please child of God? Submit yourself to God by learning and obeying the true Gospel, and He will direct your steps in the right direction.

Galatians 1: 11-24

Galatians 1:11-12 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."
 

This beginning statement that Paul makes here is a continuation of him defending himself as a true Apostle sent by God. Over the next several verses, he will explain the process of how the truth was revealed to him by the Lord Himself.
 
The normal process of understanding the Christian faith is that we are taught the truth by a teacher or through the study of the scriptures. We must understand that at the time Paul is writing this letter, there is no NT scripture. There is only OT scripture. Don't misunderstand there were some circulating letters. And word of mouth was spreading rapidly across the land, but there was no compiled NT as we have today.
 
Paul is letting us know that he did not receive his understanding about the Gospel from the other disciples. He did not sit under their "school of ministry." As a matter of fact, some of the language going forward sounds as though Paul may have been suggesting that some of the leaders in the church could have learned some things from him if they had been willing to listen.
 
The main point to be made is that Paul received his understanding as a direct revelation given to him from Jesus. The rabbi Paul was taught by the Rabboni (Jesus) that Mary met in the garden after Jesus' resurrection (John 20:16). Now, let me make this clear. This does not happen anymore. In other words, if someone says they have a revelation from Jesus and that it should be followed as Gospel so add it to the book, run the other way. I am not saying that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, does not give revelation because that is exactly what He does. But He gives revelation about what is already written. And if you are given "revelation" that does not line up with what is written, you better reject what you have received.
 
Before we move forward, we should consider the meaning of the word revelation. The word in the Greek is Apokalupsis. This is the same word that is used in the book of revelation, which is where the book receives its name:
 
 Revelation 1:1 The Revelation (Apokalupsis)  of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
 
Revelation-to take off the cover or disclose. To uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up.
 
 

Galatians 1:13-14 “13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews 'religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.”

 There are two main thoughts that must be considered from these two verses, and both thoughts hinge on the word: conversation.
 
Conversation- this is an old English word that has changed in its meaning since the KJV was first translated. The definition of this word is: manner of life, conduct, behavior. In other words, how one handles their business.
 
In this passage, there are 2 main thoughts connected to Paul's pre- conversion way of handling his business:
  (1) he was a persecutor & waster [destroyer] of the church.
 
  (2) he surpassed all of his contemporaries regarding zeal, knowledge, and devotion to the traditions of Judaism.

I believe this last statement by Paul should be understood in this light: the Judaizers are coming behind Paul’s work in the region of Galatia, and they are attempting to convince the believers there that what Paul has taught them is wrong. Furthermore, they are attempting to discredit him. But what Paul is saying is, “I have already been where they are. The things they are trying to convince you will help your Christian walk are the very things that I was zealous for before my conversion. The Gospel has been fulfilled in Jesus. The traditions have been fulfilled in Jesus. There is no need to add to Jesus.”
 
 

Galatians 1:15-17 “15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.”
 
 

Paul has already explained that his calling was from God and not from man. Now, he explains in more detail that he was called from the womb to be a preacher, and destined to have the revelation of the New Covenant so that others could be informed of the good news.
 
This is a common thread that runs through the scriptures...the fact that God calls his servant from the womb. He explained to Jeremiah that:
 
Jeremiah 1:5
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
 
But this is what Paul says of us:
 
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
 
All of us should be reminded that God has preordained works for us to walk in. He has a plan for our lives. There are people He has called us to reach and if we don't who will?
 
When God first called Paul, he did not go to the other disciples in order to learn what God wanted to teach him. 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. We have to be careful with this thought because Paul tells us in Ephesians that God has given the church certain gifts to help with the process of its edification. Amongst those gifts are teachers / pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12).
 
On the other hand, there is a valuable truth to be found here. Paul spent time in the Arabian Wilderness, and many scholars would agree that his purpose was not to evangelize at this point. Instead, his purpose was to get alone with God and hear His voice clearly. It is imperative for us as Christians to get alone in the presence of God- even more specifically with His Word...to learn what He is saying. You cannot afford to take what the preacher says at face value. You must study to show yourself approved.

It is my opinion and the opinion of other men of God that I highly respect that during Paul’s time in Arabia, he endured his Romans 7 experience. Maybe some of you have recently started coming to the Bible Study. If that is the case, I would encourage you to get on the website and listen to the teachings on Romans…specifically, Romans 7. But let me give you a glimpse into this thought. In Romans 7, Paul tells us about a struggle that took place previously in his Christian life. He is writing in retrospect. During this time, Paul was attempting to add the Law to his new relationship with Jesus. It is important that we understand that this is a common problem for all humans because all of our lives we are judged based on our performance. The whole Jewish system of Law was based upon doing things in order to be obedient to God. With this in mind, it is understandable why Paul would be drawn to adding the Law to his faith the idea would be, “Well if Jesus’ sacrifice made me right with God. Then I can be even more pleasing to God if I still don’t eat pork or teach people to be circumcised.”

But Paul explains that the result of adding Law to faith was that sin regained power in his life:  Rom 7:9  For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

       For the sake of time, you have to trust me that Paul is speaking of after he was already a Christian. And when he attempted to live according to the Law, it gave sin power in his life. It is important that you understand that the power you receive over sin is given to us by the power of the Holy Spirit based off of what Jesus did at the cross. The Holy Spirit does not move in our midst to give us victory because we have fasted enough, prayed enough, gone to church enough, quoted scripture enough, read our Bible enough… While all these things are certainly of God, when we attempt to make ourselves more righteous before God with what we do rather than what Jesus has already done then we frustrate God’s grace in our lives because His plan is to give grace based off what Jesus purchased at the cross. When God’s grace is frustrated in the life of the believer, then that believer is left to live for God in his own strength and will power. The results of this are disastrous to say the least. Our will power, no matter how sincere or consecrated we desire to be before God, is no match for the evil one. The result for Paul was: Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do….Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Galatians 1:18-20 “18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.”
 
 

In this part of the passage, Paul solidifies the point that he received the Gospel he preached as revelation from Jesus and was not taught like others by men. He specifically points out the fact that he spent some time with Peter and had contact with James, but these encounters were very brief in the overall scheme of things. Once again, many scholars believe that the time frame from Paul's conversion to Barnabas coming to get him (Acts 11:25) could have been as long as 10 years.
 
 

Galatians 1:21-24 “21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.”
 
 

Paul was preaching the Gospel independent of what the church of Jerusalem was up to. As we will see going forward, his intent was not to cause division in the church. Instead, his intent was to stay true to God's will for his life. God was revealing the freedom of the Gospel to him in a way that no one else could see. To be honest, this had to be done away from Jerusalem because the church in Jerusalem was still holding onto a lot of the old system.
 
Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world...not just Israel. The truth of the Gospel was relevant for everyone...not just the circumcised. God was revealing these things to Paul, and Paul was preaching this message everywhere God sent him. Specifically, he was reaching the areas in the regions of Syria and Cilicia before he began his missionary journeys.
 
We close with the idea that the churches in Southern Israel would not have been able to recognize Paul if he would have walked up into their midst. Yet, his reputation preceded him. In other words, they may not have known him, but they knew of him. And what they knew was that at one time in his life, he was a persecutor and killer of Christians. And now he was a preacher of the Gospel. The report of his conversion brought glory to God. And it is important for you and I to understand that the report of our conversion is just as important today. While it may not affect the entirety of the civilized world like Paul's did, it will affect the area where we live. It will affect our family. It will affect our co- workers, and it will affect the people of our past who once knew us the way we were before.