Standing for the Truth
Paul was faced with a decision. Even while in Galatia during his first missionary trip, ministering to those new believers, he knew the Judaizers were there, already trying to pull people away from the Truth. He had even already warned about them – that is why he is so upset that they still caved in! Paul was really struggling with this catatastrophe.
3. 1:10 – 2:21, defense of Paul’s apostleship & authority
Welcome! In the midst of demanding work, and all that comes with leading and ministering to 
your family, church and community, it is still important to be able to pull out this time to study together! Let’s rejoice in and act on the privilege of being able to hold God's Word in our hand, study and teach it to others!
Today, we’ll get into the text where Paul is making it very clear that the Galatians had been willingly misled regarding his authority as an apostle and the clarity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Getting this cleared up first is essential to Paul being able to move on to the “really important stuff”!
Something to think about: How do we establish our “authority” with the people we minister to? Any parallels to Paul? Paul’s issue with his authority being questioned was that he wanted to be sure his message wasn’t questioned or twisted. In that same way, we can ask, How’s the clarity of our life message doing?
your family, church and community, it is still important to be able to pull out this time to study together! Let’s rejoice in and act on the privilege of being able to hold God's Word in our hand, study and teach it to others!Today, we’ll get into the text where Paul is making it very clear that the Galatians had been willingly misled regarding his authority as an apostle and the clarity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Getting this cleared up first is essential to Paul being able to move on to the “really important stuff”!
Something to think about: How do we establish our “authority” with the people we minister to? Any parallels to Paul? Paul’s issue with his authority being questioned was that he wanted to be sure his message wasn’t questioned or twisted. In that same way, we can ask, How’s the clarity of our life message doing?
1. Overview of Galatians
Here is the outline provided in the Ryrie Study Bible, which very helpful:
Justification by Faith…
o Defended, ch. 1-2
o Explained, ch. 3-4
o Applied, ch. 5-6
o Defended, ch. 1-2
o Explained, ch. 3-4
o Applied, ch. 5-6
2. Gal. 1:10 - The temptation to accommodate
After clearly stating the seriousness of undermining or perverting the Gospel, this verse provides a transition to the subject of explaining and defending his apostolic authority.
Paul was faced with a decision. Even while in Galatia during his first missionary trip, ministering to those new believers, he knew the Judaizers were there, already trying to pull people away from the Truth. He had even already warned about them – that is why he is so upset that they still caved in! Paul was really struggling with this catatastrophe.
The Judaizers were also suggesting that Paul was just manipulating people, trying to say or do whatever things would lead them to like him and follow his message. Paul pointed out how ridiculous that is. In reality, back when he was persecuting the church was when he was trying to please men - the Pharisees! Now he was setting himself up for all kinds of persecution by what he is saying, hardly trying to please anybody. With the phrase "striving to please men", Paul addressed this in other passages, such as 2 Cor. 6 & 9. He didn’t like to do it, even made “light” of it with sarcasm, but he couldn’t allow his message to be undermined.
We need to understand the right way to “stand your ground”. Paul certainly stood his, and we need his example of humility, gentleness and kindness which constantly characterized his ministry so that he could choose to “stand” when necessary.
We need to understand the right way to “stand your ground”. Paul certainly stood his, and we need his example of humility, gentleness and kindness which constantly characterized his ministry so that he could choose to “stand” when necessary.
3. 1:10 – 2:21, defense of Paul’s apostleship & authority
Here's a basic structure for this first part of this section:
- 1:11-16, The early years—note the chronology: 3 years in Arabia, a quick trip to Jerusalem for 15 days, the out to Tarsus for 9 years, then to Antioch for 2-3 years
- 1:15-16, Called to Reveal – God did reveal to Paul, important revelation, as part of the inspired Word of God. We need to have a clear grasp of the finished canon of Scripture and that “revelation” is concluded, there is no “new truth” to be revealed today.
4. The Issue with Judaism
Historically, the Jews welcomed Gentiles to come into the fold as proselytes, and they were expected to perform many of the Pharasaic traditions that had been built up around the Law.
“Easy Believism” – The Judaizers were suggesting that Paul was “avoiding” requiring adhearance to Jewish Law in order to draw a crowd, make it easier for people to become Christian. Paul had the message right – he knew Jesus to be the True Messiah, and that Jesus’ message for eternal life was Justification by Faith Alone. As we move on through this passage, that will be the subject of our study.
