Galatians 1
The first chapter of Ephesians, which begins with the greeting of the apostle Paul, reveals that Paul was made an apostle by God’s will, and prays that God’s grace and peace be upon the saints in Ephesus and upon the faithful in Christ Jesus. This clarifies the intended recipients of the letter and establishes the authority of the message to be delivered next.
1versePaul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
2verseand all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
3verseGrace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4versewho 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—
5verseto whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6verseI marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”,
7versebut there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
8verseBut even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
9verseAs 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.
10verseFor 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 Christ.
11verseBut I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
12verseFor I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
13verseFor you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God and ravaged it.
14verseI advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15verseBut when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace,
16verseto reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,
17versenor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
18verseThen after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
19verseBut of the other apostles I saw no one except James, the Lord’s brother.
20verseNow about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying.
21verseThen I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
22verseI was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,
23versebut they only heard, “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”
24verseSo they glorified God in me.
Praise and Thanksgiving (1:3–14)
From verse 3 through verse 14, Paul offers praise and thanksgiving to God. He declares that every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms has been given in Christ, emphasizing God’s choosing, adoption, redemption, forgiveness, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit.
- Election (verse 4): God’s gracious initiative is emphasized.
- Adoption (verse 5): Believers are described as brought into God’s family through Christ.
- Redemption and forgiveness (verse 7): Grace is presented as the basis of salvation.
- The seal of the Holy Spirit (verses 13–14): The Spirit is described as the guarantee of the promised inheritance.
Prayer and Intercession (1:15–23)
After hearing the news of the faith and love of the church in Ephesus, Paul offers thanks and intercessory prayers. Paul asks that God would give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they may know God better. He also prays that they will come to understand how great God’s hope, inheritance, and power are. Finally, he explains Christ’s sovereignty and His relationship to the church, stating that Christ is the head of the church over all things.
Meditation Points
- In the fact that God chose and loved us first, we can deeply reflect on what it means to be among God’s people and on the grace of salvation.
- Through Paul’s prayer, we are led to look back on how important it is in our Christian life to have knowledge of God and the help of the Holy Spirit.
- Take some time to reflect on Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, each individual’s relationship with Him, and the identity of the faith community.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- I also reflect on whether I am living today’s life with gratitude and joy as one who has been chosen in Christ.
- This can be an opportunity to check whether I serve one another in love within the community of faith.
- Let’s make a decision to live by relying on the leading of the Holy Spirit as we keep learning more and more about God every day and the Spirit who is with me in my life.
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