Digging Deeper in Galatians: Chapter 1

There is only one true Gospel: Believe in Jesus period.

Suppose someone came to you with the proposition: “I know something that could split the church of Jesus Christ in half.” You would consider that a serious threat, wouldn’t you? That is exactly what the book of Galatians deals with. The enemy tried to split the early church in two—between Jews and Gentiles. And yet, the message remains deeply relevant today.

The takeaway for us is simple: the book of Galatians teaches that salvation is in Jesus Christ alone. Not Jesus plus something else. Not faith plus works. Just Jesus.

When I first became a Christian, I was filled with joy. I felt as if I were walking on air, with a song in my heart every day. But then one day, someone pulled me aside in church and told me, “To really be a Christian, you also need to do this.” Immediately, the music in my heart slowed. I did not know much as a baby Christian, but I knew something was wrong. Any attempt to add requirements to salvation takes away the joy of the gospel. That is exactly our enemy what wants—to steal the music from your heart.

Paul preached the gospel in Galatia, a region of what is now modern Turkey. At one time, scholars thought he wrote to the northern Celtic tribes, but most now believe the letter was written to the churches in southern Galatia—major cities where Paul had ministered. Regardless, the message is the same: false teachers, called “Judaizers,” had entered the churches. They claimed that faith in Christ was not enough for salvation, and that believers must also keep the Mosaic law, including circumcision. Paul confronted this distortion head-on.

The Judaizers not only tried to add to the gospel but also sought to undermine Paul’s authority. They compared him unfavourably to Peter, James, and John, the apostles in Jerusalem. They questioned his credentials and dismissed his teaching. But Paul reminded the Galatians that his authority came not from man, but directly from Jesus Christ Himself.

This is why Galatians is often called the “Declaration of Christian Liberty.” It proclaims justification by faith alone—our right standing with God comes through Christ alone, not through works of the law. This message was at the heart of the Reformation, with Martin Luther famously saying he was “married” to the book of Galatians.

Not everyone has loved this epistle. Some say it is too emotional, too personal, too intellectual, too controversial, or too argumentative. But that passion reflects Paul’s urgency. He stripped away the niceties he usually included in his letters and got straight to the point—because the very truth of the gospel was at stake.

In chapter 1, Paul begins by establishing his apostleship: “not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” He reminds the Galatians that Jesus gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil age. He then expresses astonishment that they were turning so quickly to a “different gospel.” Paul uses strong language: even if an angel from heaven were to preach another gospel, “let him be accursed.”

This is striking because history has shown us exactly that. Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, claimed to receive another gospel from the angel Moroni. Muhammad claimed the angel Gabriel gave him the Qur’an. Paul warned of this centuries earlier: if an angel brings a different gospel, it is not from God.

The true gospel is simple: salvation is a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ. Human nature tends to gravitate toward works, rules, and self-effort, but God finds this offensive. Any attempt to add to the gospel only brings bondage.

Paul then recounts his testimony. He once persecuted the church fiercely, even consenting to the death of believers. Yet, by God’s grace, he was transformed and called to preach Christ among the Gentiles. His message did not come from men but by revelation from Christ Himself. After his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia, receiving direct revelation from God. Only years later did he briefly meet Peter and James in Jerusalem, and even then, his ministry was independent. His dramatic transformation—from persecutor to preacher—caused the churches to glorify God.

The same dangers Paul confronted remain with us today. Modern equivalents of the Judaizers include groups that add requirements to the gospel:

What about the Mormons, who want to add extra scriptures alongside the Bible.

What about the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who also emphasise loyalty to their organisation and additional works.

What about the Roman Catholics, who (depending on interpretation) may appear to add sacraments and church authority to the gospel of grace. Most Catholics disagree with this allegation.

What about the prosperity preachers, who make material blessing a condition of true faith.

What about the legalistic sects, who require special diets, dress codes, holy days, or denominational loyalty.

Even within the Hebraic Roots movement (which I personally value for its insights), there are dangers when people insist that Jewish practices are required for salvation. The book of Galatians makes it crystal clear: we are not to go back under the law.

So, what are the key lessons from today’s study?

Paul was a true apostle, called directly by Christ.

There is only one gospel: salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Adding anything to the gospel distorts it and robs us of liberty in Christ.

False teachings are still with us today, so we must guard the truth carefully.

Amen

Personal Prayer

Next time, we will move into Galatians chapter 2, where Paul defends the gospel further and even confronts Peter about his hypocrisy concerning Christian converts.

Materials consulted

David Pawson Unlocking the Bible Galatians 1,2

R L Solberg Galatians Part 1 and 2 YouTube