Galatians By The Piece

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• Gal 1:1 . .This letter is from Paul, an apostle.

The Greek word translated "apostle" means a delegate and/or a messenger;
and not necessarily somebody on the same level as the twelve, for example
John 13:16 and Phil 2;25.

I suppose there are astute historians somewhere who can prove that a man
named Paul wrote this letter, and that he actually knew Jesus first hand, and
that he was commissioned by both Jesus and God to be an apostle.

• Gal 1:1a . . I was not appointed by any group or by human authority.

Nowadays men typically have to attend a seminary or a college program to
become ordained ministers qualified to speak for Christ.

• Gal 1:1b . . My call is from Jesus Christ himself and from God the Father

If Jesus was the only son around God's table then Paul would likely have
called hm Jesus' Father instead of the Father; but God has lots of other sons
besides the one born to Him-- especially by means of adoption, which we'll
eventually get to in the 4th chapter.

• Gal 1:1c . . who raised Jesus from the dead.

There's some controversy about exactly who restored Jesus' crucified dead
body to life. According to John 2:19 it was Jesus, whereas by Heb 13:20 it
was God, and by 1Pet 3:18 it was the Spirit, etc, etc.
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I'd like to back up here for a bit.

Paul starts this letter by stating his appointment was given him by Jesus
Christ and God the Father. The thing is, he doesn't begin with an argument
to prove that either of them exist; rather, he assumes the Galatians already
believe they do.

That's very similar to the beginning of the book of Genesis-- it doesn't waste
words with an argument to convince skeptics that a supreme being exists;
rather, it starts off by stating flat-footed that a supreme being is the origin
of the cosmos, viz: it's all due to intelligent design.

So: this letter has a specific target audience which does NOT include skeptics.

• Gal 1:2 . . to the churches in Galatia

In its simplest form the Greek word translated "churches" just means an
assembly and/or a congregation, i.e. a meeting with no denominational
affiliation implied.

• Gal 1:3a . . Grace be to you

Grace first shows up in the Bible at Gen 6:8 where it's stated that Noah
found grace in the eyes of The Lord. In other words: Noah's manner of life
succeeded in pleasing God enough to the point where He was favorably
inclined to take Noah under His wing with providence; which can be roughly
defined as God's kindly patronage.

• Gal 1:3b . . and peace

The Greek word translated "peace" is somewhat ambiguous. It can mean
harmony and/or prosperity, indicating that God wished the best for Paul's
friends in Galatia-- Jesus wished the best for them too.

• Gal 1:3c . . from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ

Paul's greeting indicates that he not only wrote about those two divine
beings, but also wrote for them as an ambassador. If we don't allow Paul
that degree of privilege and authority, then this letter is likely to profit us
very little in the way of spiritual values.

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge
that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of The Lord."
(1Cor 14:37)
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• Gal 1:4a . . who gave himself for our sins

Jesus' death on fhe cross not only satisfied the justice due our impious lives
(Is 53:6) but was also effective as a ransom.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Webster's defines a "ransom" as: a consideration paid or demanded for the
release of someone or some thing from captivity, e.g.

"He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the
book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. And he opened the book, and
found the place where it was written: The spirit of The Lord is upon me,
because He anointed me to . . proclaim release to the captives" (Luke 4:16-
-18)

• Gal 1:4b . . just as God our Father planned

This particular rescue operation was organized way back in the distant
past before even the very first particle of the cosmos was created.

"He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless
lamb of God who chose him for this purpose long before the world began"
(1Pet 1:19-20)

"the Lamb who was killed before the world was made." (Rev 13:8)

So, if there are captives; who is the captor?

• Gal 1:4 . . in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

People are not only creatures of habit, but also creatures of culture, viz: it
would seem that everything about us keeps us in slavery to the world in
which we live.

• Gal 1:5a . .That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of
eternity.

Acknowledging someone's glory is all the same as giving credit where credit
is due; and seeing as how this particular operation was only possible by
means of God's scheming and intervention, then there is no one else to
admire for it.

• Gal 1:5b . . Amen.

In other words: the information thus far is so reliable and trustworthy that
you could "take it to the bank" so to speak.
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Galatians seems to be the letter that outlines the Promises of Abraham, which are to show how those born of the Promise are born, or reborn, apart from the Laws of Moses. To be reborn apart from the written Law and Moral Code, a person must undergo the lifting of the Curse of Adam and Eve. This is the Purpose and Work of Christ . . . to lift the Curse, to grant Repentance, to send the Spirit, and to Pay the Debt for sin.

Galatians is the "Book of Circumcision". It is mentioned throughout all chapters except for the first.

Gal 1:4 -
The text is plain . . . Which is that God had always planned that Jesus would offer His Life. Even from the early days of the Garden, God knew that He would take responsibility for the fall of humanity. The question is: How does He do it? What is the Work that He performs in order to accomplish this goal?

You explain it well, the Lord is with you. But this is not how many people understand this book. They use it to justify their walk in the world instead of with Christ, saying this book tells them the law is dead.

Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness for everyone who believeth Romans10:4

Note only unto righteousness

Awesome. So, what's your view on disciples and being a disciple? Because a lot of the religious truth about Christianity really depends on its historicity. Now viewed as a history, you look at the Bible, Jesus had exactly twelve disciples. Now they were all men, and some became apostles and there is also the concept of evangelism. A lot of modern people try to become disciples of Christ, they teach it. There's this place down on Broadway, I never did get a chance to check it out. But it's a church. A lot of churches offer courses like that. That sounds more like archetypal psychology than religion to me, but then I'm more Archalayan or Nicomachian anyway. Are you a disciple yourself? Just wondering, because our friend Paul here scribed up a list of spiritual gifts, and don't remember disciple being one of them. I'll look it up right now.

Right, yeah, that's the one body but many parts passages. I'll see about pasting it from the internet, it has to be taken in context. Personally, I don't like less than a full chapter when I'm studying the Bible, but that's because I've gotten a bit older. Short single memory verses are still of value too.

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

There it is. You know, preachers are always going on and on at length trying to enumerate the gifts of the spirit. But this is the passage that talks about them, and it does no such thing. Thats ODD!

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Continuing From Post #3

• Gal 1:6a . . I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called
you by the grace of Christ

That reveals something very remarkable, and just as ironic, about religion.
In their zeal to become ever more pious and pleasing to God, it's actually
possible for folks to become ever more estranged from Him-- actually
alienated --and lose out on His good graces.

• Gal 1:6b . . .for a different gospel

Not entirely different

• Gal 1:7 . . which is really not another; only there are some who are
disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

These "different" gospels are very similar to the real McCoy in many
respects; but somewhat revised to alter its message and force it to be
compatible with proprietary beliefs and practices, viz: denominational
doctrines.

• Gal 1:8 . . But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach
to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be
accursed.

The Greek word translated "accursed" isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. It
basically means banned; which Webster's defines as prohibited, censured,
and/or excommunicated-- the Bible's version of the so-called cancel culture.

In other words; we have to categorize revised versions of the real gospel of
Christ as misinformation-- genuine misinformation rather than just
something with which we don't agree.

• Gal 1:9 . . As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is
preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be
accursed.

They say repetition is an effective teaching method, so we'll politely restrain
ourselves from retorting with an obnoxious rejoinder like: "Alright already!
We heard you the first time."
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Galatians 1:8-10

What has been the main contention that the Disciples and Apostles faced? Yes, that crazy word "circumcision." Jews were forcing each other, and worse, the adaptation of physical circumcision into Christianity, claiming that it was an act that would keep a person from Hell. In fact, within Day 327 (of the timeline, chronological reading plan), Timothy had been physically circumcised to maintain a lower profile, thus making it easier to spread the Word of God without dealing with the fallout that would come through his uncircumcised phallus.

We will soon see in Gal 02:03 that Titus was [not] compelled to become physically circumcised because that false teaching had seemed to have been well overcome. And, what does Paul mean when he says that if he were a man-pleaser, that he would not be Christ's servant? If Paul was teaching physical Circumcision, he would be teaching others how to obtain Salvation outside of the Hands of Christ, and putting that circumcising power into the hands of men. (The "Two-Elevens" supports this idea ((Ephesians 2:11 & Colossians 2:11)).

Thanks, @Grandpa !

I'm proud to be your 175th rude Red X.

I've given you only 175 red X's?

Should be more than that by now. I'll have to be more watchful.

That's the Christian Spirit!

Blocklisted

@Rhomphaeam - Since you support this level of hatred, you can join your Grandpa.

May the Lord grant you both the most incredible of Blessing possible . . . Circumcision of the Heart.

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Continuing From Post #10

• Gal 1:10a . .For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I
striving to please men?

The "men" were specifically Jews. Well; he was a Jew; and a good Jew was
supposed to follow Moses and the Prophets, but in practice, good Jews
followed their rabbis; and Paul did.

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated
under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers." (Acts 22:3)

• Gal 1:10b . If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond
servant of Christ.

Well; that's for sure. Good Jews in his day exercised a low tolerance for
Christianity.

"I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and
women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders
can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off
for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as
prisoners to be punished." (Acts 22:4-6)

So Paul had a good reputation among his countrymen as a very zealous, die
hard, faithful Jew with an excellent track record. Nationally and culturally,
Paul was a "blue ribbon" Jew; exemplary in every way.

"If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin--
a Hebrew of Hebrews --as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of
the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless."
(Phil 3:4-6)

So; if there was one thing the Galatians could be sure of, the gospel that
Paul went about preaching wasn't something taught by Gamaliel or any
other of the rabbis of that day.

• Gal 1:11-14 . . For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which
was preached by me is not according to [the Jews]. For I neither received it
from [the Jews], nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of
Jesus Christ.

. . . For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used
to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; and
I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my
countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.

NOTE: I rather suspect that had it not been for a close encounter of a third
kind with Christ, Paul never would've bought into Christianity on his own
because in regard to his religion; Paul was a rock; an iron man.
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Continuing From Post #15

• Gal 1:15a . . But when God, who set me apart from birth

No doubt some folks are annoyed that God determined in advance that Paul
would come into the world on track to apostleship-- but not till he invested a
number of the years of his youth in an obsolete religion.

• Gal 1:15b . . . and called me by his grace,

Paul's appointment wasn't something he either deserved or earned, but
simply an endowment in accordance with God's own special purposes. In
other words: Paul was afforded little voice in this matter: he was going to be
an apostle and that was that. (cf. Amos 7:14-15)

The details of Paul's calling are located in Acts 9:3-19 and Acts 22:6-21.

• Gal 1:15b-16a . . was pleased to reveal His son in me so that I might
preach him among the Gentiles,

Some versions say "heathen" rather than Gentiles. But in that day and age,
either term sufficed to label non Jews.

NOTE: Back in that day, non Jews were automatically sinners.

• Gal 1:16b-18 . . I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem
to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into
Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to
Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days.

Paul had said in Gal 1:12 that his version of the gospel wasn't something he
learned from human teachers, rather, directly from Christ. I think this is
important because it helps affirms the belief that apostles were not only
hand-picked, but also personally tutored by the Lord himself.

Well; we know Paul was hand-picked, so very likely the three years in
Arabia were utilized by Christ for bringing this new kid on the block up to
speed with the other apostles, and away from their influence.
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Continuing From Post #16

A rather long section of Galatians, from 1:19 down to 2:14 relates Paul's
early missionary adventures; which some folks find interesting enough to
devote study. But I'm taking the liberty to skip it except for a brief comment
about the part where Paul confronted Peter's hypocrisy.

Exactly for what purpose Paul included that incident in his letter to the
Galatians I am unsure because it seems to me a personal matter between
two apostles that was none of anybody's business but theirs. It reeks of
gossip that most of us need not hear about.

However, the incident does serve to illustrate that Paul was serious about
breaking with the Jews' traditions. The incident being public rather than
private helped too because the Jews who watched no doubt blabbed it all
over the place; which may have been Paul's intent from start to finish. I
suspect that it was never Paul's desire to keep his association with Christ a
secret.
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