2 Corinthians 1
Galatians 1 is the opening of Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia, containing a strong emphasis on the legitimacy of his apostleship and the essence of the gospel. Paul makes clear that he was not appointed by people or human authority, but directly called by Jesus Christ and God the Father (verses 1–5). After firmly establishing the foundation of his apostleship, he then expresses deep concern and issues a warning that the believers in the Galatian churches have begun to follow another gospel (verses 6–10). He goes on to briefly explain the background of his conversion and ministry, emphasizing that his gospel did not come from humans, but was received by revelation (verses 11–24).
1versePaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
2verseGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3verseBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4versewho comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5verseFor as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
6verseBut if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
7verseOur hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort.
8verseFor we don’t desire to have you uninformed, brothers, concerning our affliction which happened to us in Asia: that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, so much that we despaired even of life.
9verseYes, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,
10versewho delivered us out of so great a death, and does deliver, on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us,
11verseyou also helping together on our behalf by your supplication; that, for the gift given to us by means of many, thanks may be given by many persons on your behalf.
12verseFor our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
13verseFor we write no other things to you than what you read or even acknowledge, and I hope you will acknowledge to the end—
14verseas also you acknowledged us in part—that we are your boasting, even as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.
15verseIn this confidence, I was determined to come first to you, that you might have a second benefit,
16verseand by you to pass into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia to come to you, and to be sent forward by you on my journey to Judea.
17verseWhen I therefore planned this, did I show fickleness? Or the things that I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be the “Yes, yes” and the “No, no?”
18verseBut as God is faithful, our word toward you was not “Yes and no.”
19verseFor the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not “Yes and no,” but in him is “Yes.”
20verseFor however many are the promises of God, in him is the “Yes.” Therefore also through him is the “Amen”, to the glory of God through us.
21verseNow he who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God,
22versewho also sealed us and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.
23verseBut I call God for a witness to my soul, that to spare you, I didn’t come to Corinth.
24verseWe don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.
Structure of Galatians Chapter 1
- Verses 1–5: Greetings and benediction. Paul makes it clear that his apostleship comes from God, and he prays for the grace and peace of the gospel.
- Verses 6–10: Warning against another gospel. Paul expresses astonishment that the believers have turned away from the gospel and are following another gospel, and he declares that whoever—whether people or even an angel—preaches another gospel will be cursed.
- Verses 11–24: The origin of Paul’s apostleship and his ministry. Paul states that the gospel he preached did not come from humans, and he confirms this through his transformation and the journey of his ministry.
The Entire Message of Galatians Chapter 1
The core of this chapter is the emphasis on the purity of the gospel and Paul’s personal calling. Paul argues that the gospel must be received not by human standards or traditions, but as God’s revelation. He also leaves behind deep reflection on how believers should protect the steadfastness of their faith and remain in the pure gospel when false teachings or distorted messages enter the faith community. Through Paul’s process of conversion, we also see how God calls each person and the importance of living a life of obedience within that calling.
Meditation Points
- Let’s check whether the gospel I am hearing and following right now is a pure gospel that comes from Jesus Christ.
- When the essence of the gospel is shaken, let’s think about what attitude I should take.
- Let’s reflect on where and for what purpose God called me.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In everyday life, what small practice could I do to keep the purity of the gospel?
- I will be able to apply to my life the meaning of living truthfully before God rather than before people’s eyes.
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