Galatians, chapter 1, comments: contrasting information

 Galatia was a Roman province in the ancient area of the highlands of central Anatolia, the provinces of Ankara and Eskisehir in modern Turkey. Roman writers called its inhabitants Gauls or Celts and they were what was left from an invasion of the Balkans by Celtic tribes hundreds of years before. Paul is writing to the Christians here. Paul’s trip through Galatia is mentioned in Acts 16:6 and Acts 18:23. Peter also mentions Galatia in his first letter as does Paul again in 2Timothy.

Galatians, chapter 1

Galatians 1:1 ¶ 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:

Paul refers to churches of Galatia. In this era there were no buildings set aside specifically for Christian worship. That didn’t happen until the second century. These were churches that met in people’s homes.

Galatians 1:3 ¶ 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.

This present evil world would refer to the world system as they and we know it. There is little difference between our world today and their world. We define things differently often but we have our self-delusions of grandeur and civilized behavior, same as those of that day.

Galatians 1:6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 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.

Notice Paul’s concern about another gospel in;

2Corinthians 11:4 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.

Even in this period of the early church Paul is concerned about false doctrine that binds and enslaves men and women.

2Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

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

Galatians 1:11 ¶ 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.

Galatians 1:13 ¶ 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. 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 given his testimony of his previous persecution of Christians.

1Corinthians 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

Phillipians 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

 

1Timothy 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

Verses 15 to 17 are proof that Luke worked independently of Paul in writing his history in Acts and that there was little or no collusion between them, Luke doesn’t mention Arabia. Paul gives us additional information here about what he did after his conversion and where he went. See Acts 9 regarding Paul’s conversion.

 

Galatians 1:18 ¶ 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. 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.

Three years in Damascus learning from the Christians there after returning from Arabia? Then only fifteen days with Peter?  The question begs itself about Paul’s time in Arabia and then the second time in Damascus. How does this line up with Luke’s account in Acts? Aha! In the first century Arabia included the Syro-Arabian desert including modern Syria (Damascus) and Jordan, sources say. So, these rather confusing statements are now cleared up. For some reason Paul went into the area surrounding Damascus and returned to the city before journeying to Jerusalem and seeing Peter. For contrasting information see Acts 9 and comments.