Galatians post 2

Last Wednesday we continued in our study of Galatians starting, after some review in verse 18 of chapter 1. Paul apparently sought God for further understanding and knowledge for 3 years before visiting Peter, and James, the half brother of the Lord, whom Paul refers to as an apostle. We also saw in verse 24 the theme we had previously seen in verse 5, that of glorifying God. I submit this is His supreme purpose under which other purposes support. Chapter 2 begind with another visit to Jerusalem 14 years later with Barnabas and Titus. Paul is concerned that his teaching is in accordance with that of the other apostles. Having Titus,a Greek, with Paul is significant because Titus is not required to be circumcised which is a major focal point of the Galatian letter. Verse 5 is crucial for understanding this where Paul writes that he didn't submit to theological slavery for moment, so that the truth of the gospel is preserved.

Galatians post 1

Two Wednesdays ago the Bible study group began the letter to the Galatians, a Celtic ethnic group whom Paul an apostle had evangelize. As we have seen previously in introductions to other epistles, Paul doesn't use the word "apostle" as a title but rather as a gift. (Cf. Ephesians 4:8-11). He continues the wording of grace first in order to have peace. He also writes "present evil age" in contrast to secular humanism. In verse 6 of the first chapter he launches into the major theme of the letter- defending the truth of the only gospel, that of the Lord Jesus Christ. He does this with the strongest language in the New Testament. Let anyone preaching a different gospel be accursed, or eternally condemned. Paul maintains that he received his understanding of the gospel directly through a revelation of Jesus Christ. His extreme zealots for the traditions of men were replaced by unquenchable zeal for the message of Jesus.