Galatians 1:11-24

Paul Called by God

¹¹ For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. ¹² For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹³ For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. ¹⁵ But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, ¹⁶ was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; ¹⁷ nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) ²¹ Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. ²² And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.

As a short review to provide context for today’s passage, the Apostle Paul introduced his letter to the churches of Galatia with a salutation and a greeting. However, instead of writing a clause of thanksgiving and prayer for the churches of Galatia, he dives right in to give the cause or occasion for his writing to them. In Galatians 1:6, Paul says he is amazed that some have deserted their faith in Jesus Christ by turning to another gospel, which is not a gospel. This alternative gospel was offensive to Paul, for he preached Christ, and him crucified. That’s Paul’s message. Eugene H. Peterson said in The Message on Galatians 1:7, “It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God.” Then, without labeling or identifying anyone or group, Paul said some have come to trouble them and distort the message; but, if any man or angel from heaven, come and preach another gospel, let him be cursed! Galatians 1:10 seems to be the pivotal point: others present a false gospel and a lie about God; but, Paul does not preach to please man, his desire is to please God. This last thought in verse 10 provides an opportunity for him to introduce his story of how God changed his life.

In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul says the gospel he preached was not from man, nor did he learn it from others. This gospel came to Paul from a special revelation of Jesus Christ. Man’s invention of another gospel would be man-centered; where a man would be his own god and all the good things he does will make way for an eternal reward or otherworldly bliss. That is not a gospel. That is a lie. The gospel of Christ is simply stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “ … that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” Romans 10:13 says, ‘For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”’ And in defense of this simple gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18, 27-29:

“¹⁸ For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. … ²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.”

This is the gospel that Paul received from the revelation of Jesus Christ. Who can contend and opt for another? Yet, for clarity, Paul’s opposition to the lie was to build up the church, and us, so we all may discern for ourselves if a gospel preached is from God. Paul’s not concerned that a competitive gospel would proselytize and steal converts away from their faith in Jesus Christ. He fully understands that God the Father elected those He loved for salvation, Jesus Christ died for their sins and gave them his righteousness, and the Holy Spirit regenerates and gives them a new heart with the free gift of faith, whereby the sinner can not\w repent of their sins and turn to believe and trust Jesus as their Lord and God. The Holy Spirit dwells in the believer to aid in their sanctification for the glory of God at the Lord’s appearance when we will be glorified to be like Him and with Him.

Luke 7:41-43 is Christ’s parable of the forgiven servants. In this parable, there were two servants to a moneylender; one had a huge debt that was forgiven, and the other had a smaller debt forgiven. Jesus asked his host, “Who would love the moneylender more?” The host replied that he assumed the one who was forgiven the most with the greatest debt. Jesus said he replied correctly. This parable tells us how indebted sinners are who fully realize the extent of their forgiveness to God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Paul was no exception. He lived a life that was totally indebted to the love and grace of God.

In Galatians 1:13-14, Paul said, ^“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.” That was his former life, but then in verse 15, Paul said, “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace.” God changed Paul’s life and saved him from the wrath of God for unbelief. Instead, Paul worked diligently for the high calling that Jesus Christ has called him to. He said in 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”

Paul set himself as an example of how to live and serve Christ. He taught us to be imitators of him. This should be the high calling that we all aspire to be: live to please God, not man!

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My Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your gospel of grace that saved even a wretched soul like me. Thank You for a pure and sweet gospel, that others believe is foolish, yet I believe by faith is my only hope for life now, and abundant life with You. Help me, O Lord, to be bold in my witness and strong in my defense of Your gospel. May I be free and enabled with power from above to present this message to others. Open their hearts to their gospel truth. And as Christ is lifted, may You draw all men unto You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!

Christian Hymn: Tell Me The Story of Jesus by Frances J. Crosby in 1880