The Heart Of Paul’s Theology: Paul And The GalatiansSample

Introduction: Galatians 1:1-10

In 1:6-10, which we’ve called the “Introduction to the Problem,” Paul immediately attacked the problem of false teaching in Galatia. He expressed astonishment, and warned his readers how dangerous it was to follow the false teachers. In no uncertain terms, Paul insisted that to reject his teaching was to accept a false gospel. Consider the dire curse he laid on the false teachers in 1:8:

Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! (Galatians 1:8).

To follow the teachings of the false teachers was to reject the true gospel of Christ — it was to reject salvation itself. This section of the letter makes it clear that the problems in Galatia were not insignificant. The Galatians’ eternal destinies were at stake.

The section of the epistle, 1:11–2:21, is more elaborate. It consists of several historical accounts in which Paul proved his authority. Three different historical events come to the foreground in these chapters: Paul’s call and training in 1:11-17; Paul’s meeting with church leaders in Jerusalem in 2:1-10; and Paul’s conflict with Peter in Syrian Antioch in 2:11-21.

The account of Paul’s call and training explains how Paul had the authority to resist circumcising Gentiles. It begins with a description of how Paul had loved the traditions of Israel. Consider his words in Galatians 1:13-14:

You have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism … I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers (Galatians 1:13-14).

But Paul also explained how his attitude had changed. Despite his earlier zeal for Jewish traditions, when he was on his journey through Galatia, Paul had not required the Gentiles to be circumcised. How could he have done this when he had been so committed to the traditions of Israel? Consider Paul’s testimony in Galatians 1:15-18:

When God … was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man … I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:15-18).

Paul had spent three years in Arabia learning the gospel and Christian doctrines directly from Jesus. His refusal to require Gentile circumcision did not result from natural reasoning or personal preference. Jesus, the Lord himself, had taught Paul his new views. To disagree with Paul on this matter was to disagree with Christ himself.