Galatians 1
1
1 Paul, an emissary—not from men, nor through man, but through Yeshua the Messiah,#1:1 “Messiah” means “Anointed One”. and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2and all the brothers#1:2 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: 3Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 4who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father— 5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Messiah to a different “good news”, 7but there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Messiah. 8But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should proclaim to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. 9As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Messiah.
11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12For I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Yeshua the Messiah. 13For you have heard of my way of living in time past in Judaism#1:13 or, traditional Judaism, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it. 14I advanced in Judaism#1:14 or, traditional Judaism beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace, 16to reveal his Son in me, that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were emissaries before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19But of the other emissaries I saw no one except Jacob, the Lord’s brother. 20Now about the things which I write to you, behold,#1:20 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection. before God, I’m not lying. 21Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Messiah, 23but they only heard, “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 24So they glorified God in me.
Currently Selected:
Galatians 1: WMB
Highlight
Share
Copy
![None](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2F58%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fweb-assets.youversion.com%2Fapp-icons%2Fen.png&w=128&q=75)
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Galatians 1
1
Introduction
1From Paul, # 1:1 The name Paul means “little.” His name before his conversion was Saul, which means “significant one” or “sought after.” What great transformation takes place when we experience a profound change as Saul did! God transforms us from being “important” to being “small” in our own eyes. This is what qualifies God’s apostolic servants. an apostle # 1:1 The word apostle means “one who is sent on a mission” or “an ambassador.” By implication, an apostle carries the delegated authority of the one who sends him. Jesus Christ chose Paul to be an apostle to plant churches and impart the revelation of Christ and his true gospel. The New Testament refers more often to the gift of apostle than all the other ascension gifts (prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher) combined. See Eph. 4:11. of Jesus Christ. My apostleship was not granted to me by men, for I was appointed by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. 2All the brothers and sisters # 1:2 The Greek word adelphos is used throughout the New Testament for brothers (and sisters). It is used in classical Greek by physicians to describe “those who came from the same womb.” Every believer is born from the same “womb” of the Father’s heart and the wounded side of Jesus Christ. In the time of Alexander the Great, the word adelphos was used not only for brothers (and sisters), but for “faithful soldiers.” How wonderful it is in our journey to know that we have partners in battle fighting for the faith alongside of us. join with me as I write this letter to the churches throughout the region of central Turkey. # 1:2 Or “Galatia.” This was the region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) that Paul visited during his first and second missionary journeys. See Acts 16:1–5.
3May God’s undeserved kindness and total well-being # 1:3 This is the word peace, which in the Hebraic mindset means “health, prosperity, peace, and total well-being.” The phrase grace and peace appears as a greeting in Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:3, 2 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 1:3, Eph. 1:2, Phil. 1:2, Col. 1:2, 1 Thess. 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:2, Titus 1:4, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 1:2, and Rev. 1:4. that flow from our Father God and from the Lord Jesus be yours. # 1:3 Grace was not just a “message” that Paul taught; it was the way he dealt with deceived people. Even over the confused churches that were mixing works and grace, Paul spoke words of blessing and peace. When we learn to bless and release “undeserved kindness” and “well-being” over those who oppose us, perhaps then they will listen to us. 4He’s the Anointed One who offered himself as the sacrifice for our sins! He has rescued us from this evil world system # 1:4 This “evil world system” would include the religious system that is based on duty and performance instead of love and grace. and set us free, just as our Father God desired. 5May all the glory be to God alone, throughout time and eternity. Amen!
One Gospel
6I am shocked over how quickly you have strayed away from the One who called you in the grace of Christ. I’m astounded that you now embrace a distorted # 1:6 Or “another gospel.” gospel! 7That is a fake “gospel” that is simply not true. There is only one gospel—the good news of Christ! Yet you have allowed those who mingle law with grace to confuse you.
8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel different than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!
9Let me make it clear: Anyone, no matter who they are, that brings you a different gospel than the gospel that you have received, let them be condemned and cursed!
10I’m obviously not trying to flatter you or water down my message to be popular with men, but my supreme passion is to please God. For if all I attempt to do is please people, I would fail to be a true servant of Christ.
How Paul Became an Apostle
11Beloved ones, let me repeat emphatically that the gospel entrusted to me was not given to me by any man. 12No one taught me this revelation, for it was given to me directly by the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
13By now you have heard stories of how severely # 1:13 The Aramaic can be translated “beyond measure.” I harassed and persecuted Christians and how systematically I endeavored to destroy God’s church, all because of my radical devotion to the Jewish religion. # 1:13 The Jewish way of life includes not only religion but also culture. Paul is using the word religion broadly, not only to include the rich culture of Judaism, but also to include the various religious traditions not found in the Torah. 14My zeal and passion for the doctrines of Judaism distinguished me among my people, for I was far more advanced in my religious instruction than others my age.
15But then God called me by his grace, and chose me from my birth to be his. 16He was pleased to unveil his Son in me so that I would proclaim him to the peoples of the world. After I had this encounter, I kept it a secret for some time, sharing it with no one. 17And I had no desire to run to Jerusalem and try to impress those who had become apostles before me. Instead, I withdrew into the Arabian Desert. Then I returned to Damascus, where I had first encountered Jesus. 18I remained there for three years until I eventually went up to Jerusalem, met the apostle Peter, # 1:18 The Aramaic name of Peter is kefa, which means “rock.” and stayed with him for a couple of weeks. 19The only other apostle I met during that time was Jacob, # 1:19 Or “James.” However, his true name was not James, but Jacob. See the introduction to the book of James (Jacob). the Lord’s brother.
20Everything I’m describing to you I confess before God to be the absolute truth. 21After my stay in Jerusalem, I went to Syria and southeast Turkey, # 1:21 Or “Cilicia,” which was the southeastern province of Asia Minor, directly adjoining Syria. 22but I remained unknown to the churches # 1:22 Today we would call these Jewish believers in Messiah “Messianic Jews”—not only Jewish (by birth) but also Christian (by faith). in Judea. 23The only thing they heard about me was this: “Our former enemy, who once brutally persecuted us, is now preaching the good news of the faith that he tried to destroy!” 24Because of the transformation that took place in my life, they praised God even more!
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
![None](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2F58%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fweb-assets.youversion.com%2Fapp-icons%2Fen.png&w=128&q=75)
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Passion Translation® is a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Learn More About The Passion Translation