Galations 1- an Apostle
"Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)...........for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ............To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went .................And they glorified God in me. "
It is tempting, sometimes, to pass over the "formal" greetings of the epistles (letters to the churches). After all, it's just an overly long "hello", right? Yes and no. Technically it is "just" an introduction of self by the author... HOWEVER this introduction can be subtly and vitally important to setting the tone of the entire letter. When seen in that light, skipping over it can result in a decreased understanding of the full meaning of the epistle.
Galations is a perfect example of this. Paul opens his epistle by introducing himself as "an apostle". He further emphasizes his authority by stating that he is NOT sent by men, but by GOD. This introduction is making a point and this point is repeated throughout the first chapter.
Paul is dealing with a situation in the Galation church where others are teaching a false doctrine. His first step in dealing with this is to illuminate the fact that these others are sent by MEN, are seeking to please MEN, and have consulted other MEN in forming their beliefs and teachings, whereas Paul was sent by GOD, is seeking to please GOD, and had no need to consult other men regarding his beliefs and teachings because GOD Himself had taught Paul directly through divine revelation.
Note that Paul did not confer with other men nor seek out other men for further teaching before setting out to obey God's command to "preach him among the heathen". God's teaching was sufficient, and so he set out "immediately."
I particularly like the last verse in the chapter which seems to declare that Paul's purpose was fullfilled on this point: He did not seek to please men but to glorify God. The last verse states that he was not glorified for himself, but that GOD was glorified IN him.
Two thoughts occur to me in reading this chapter which apply to my life.
First, I think of my previous timidity in discussing scripture with others for fear of 1)screwing it up and causing someone to turn away from God, 2)looking foolish, 3)offending someone. Well, the first fear has been conquered with a right understanding of how salvation comes about, and the second and third are conquered by a right understanding that it is not important that the person with whom I am speaking think me a "brilliant theologian" nor is it important that they like me as a person. What is more important than their view of me is their view of God. If I simply proclaim God's Word with a right heart steeped in prayer and study, then I can trust in God to handle the rest.
Secondly, I wonder: Is God glorified in me? Do I seek His glory? Or my own? What do my actions say? Do they agree with the words I would use to answer these questions? Or do they call me a liar?
It is tempting, sometimes, to pass over the "formal" greetings of the epistles (letters to the churches). After all, it's just an overly long "hello", right? Yes and no. Technically it is "just" an introduction of self by the author... HOWEVER this introduction can be subtly and vitally important to setting the tone of the entire letter. When seen in that light, skipping over it can result in a decreased understanding of the full meaning of the epistle.
Galations is a perfect example of this. Paul opens his epistle by introducing himself as "an apostle". He further emphasizes his authority by stating that he is NOT sent by men, but by GOD. This introduction is making a point and this point is repeated throughout the first chapter.
Paul is dealing with a situation in the Galation church where others are teaching a false doctrine. His first step in dealing with this is to illuminate the fact that these others are sent by MEN, are seeking to please MEN, and have consulted other MEN in forming their beliefs and teachings, whereas Paul was sent by GOD, is seeking to please GOD, and had no need to consult other men regarding his beliefs and teachings because GOD Himself had taught Paul directly through divine revelation.
Note that Paul did not confer with other men nor seek out other men for further teaching before setting out to obey God's command to "preach him among the heathen". God's teaching was sufficient, and so he set out "immediately."
I particularly like the last verse in the chapter which seems to declare that Paul's purpose was fullfilled on this point: He did not seek to please men but to glorify God. The last verse states that he was not glorified for himself, but that GOD was glorified IN him.
Two thoughts occur to me in reading this chapter which apply to my life.
First, I think of my previous timidity in discussing scripture with others for fear of 1)screwing it up and causing someone to turn away from God, 2)looking foolish, 3)offending someone. Well, the first fear has been conquered with a right understanding of how salvation comes about, and the second and third are conquered by a right understanding that it is not important that the person with whom I am speaking think me a "brilliant theologian" nor is it important that they like me as a person. What is more important than their view of me is their view of God. If I simply proclaim God's Word with a right heart steeped in prayer and study, then I can trust in God to handle the rest.
Secondly, I wonder: Is God glorified in me? Do I seek His glory? Or my own? What do my actions say? Do they agree with the words I would use to answer these questions? Or do they call me a liar?
