Galatians 1

Galatians 1:1

If any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature. Because, crucified with Christ, buried into his death, we have died with Christ, and risen to walk in a new life (Romans 6:6,4,14). Born anew, we are new creatures who must live a new life. Old things are passed away. The old life ended when we died and were buried. All things have become new. The affections, the motives, the thoughts, the hopes, the whole life.

Galatians 1:2

And all things [are] of God. These have all come from God through the gospel. Who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. Before we were at variance with God, and disobedient. Through Christ we have been brought to love God, to love his will, and hence to obey him. We have been changed, are new creatures. The ministry of reconciliation. The gospel, the object of which is to transform men, and to bring them to peace with God.

Galatians 1:3

That God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. This explains more fully “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). It was not God who was to be reconciled, but the world. In Christ it is offered peace and shown the love of God. The word of reconciliation is to persuade men to accept God’s love and mercy, and to repent so that he can forgive their trespasses.

Galatians 1:4

Then we are ambassadors for Christ. We have God’s message, are his authorized messengers, and speak for God, beseeching you for Christ, and in his name, to be reconciled to God by repentance and the obedience of faith.

Galatians 1:5

Hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin. As a sinless substitute he suffered for our sins, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. That our sins might thus be atoned for, the law satisfied, and we be forgiven and accounted righteous. Since we die with Christ, in him we pay the penalty, and are justified.

Galatians 1:7

The Apostolic Ministry SUMMARY OF II CORINTHIANS 6: An Exhortation to Believers. The Blameless Ministry of Paul and His Fellow-Workers. Their Endurance of Trials. Their Unselfish Self-Denial. An Appeal for Greater Love. The Intimate Association with Unbelievers Forbidden. Saints the Temple of God. We then. Paul and Timothy especially, and other ministers associated with them (2 Corinthians 1:1). [As] workers together [with him]. Not only fellow-laborers, but workers with Christ. See 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. That ye receive not the grace of God in vain. The “grace (favor) of God” meant is the gospel, “the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). To receive it “in vain” would be to receive it and then fall away. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:2.

Galatians 1:8

For he saith. See Isaiah 44:8. In the day of salvation have I succored thee. The prophecy is an offer of salvation to the Gentiles, to whom the Corinthians belonged. The point is that God has offered the salvation, but that “now [is] the accepted time”, and it is not safe to neglect it.

Galatians 1:9

Giving no offence in any thing. The participle “giving” refers to “we” (2 Corinthians 6:1). Paul describes the manner of life of himself and fellow ministers. They were careful that the ministry be not blamed. It matters not what be the talents of a minister, if there be no confidence in his purity of life, his influence will be neutralized. Every one should be anxious that his life hinder not the gospel.

Galatians 1:10

In all [things] commending ourselves as the ministers of God. Living lives that show that we are holy ministers, consecrated to God. Paul next gives some details of the apostolic life. In much patience. Rather, in steadfast constancy and endurance, holding out under trials. Some of these trials are now given. In afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. The first three details are general.

Galatians 1:11

In stripes. See 2 Corinthians 11:23,24. In imprisonments. He was imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16:24), Jerusalem (Acts 22:24), Caesarea (Acts 24:23), and Rome (Acts 28:16), at least. In tumults. See Acts 14:19 16:22 19:29 21:30.

Galatians 1:12

2 Corinthians 6:4,5 show what Paul suffered at the hands of men. He now tells his manner of life under such persecution. By pureness. Living a holy life. Chaste. By knowledge. His knowledge goes hand in hand with purity of life. By the Holy Ghost. Showing forth the Spirit’s influence and power.

Galatians 1:13

By the word of truth. By preaching the gospel with power. By the power of God. Shown in his great activity and unparalleled success (2 Corinthians 4:7). By the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left. See Ephesians 6:11. On the left hand was the shield; on the right, the sword. Protected by “the shield of faith” (Ephesians 6:16), Paul used “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17).

Galatians 1:14

By honour and dishonour. A series of contrasted situations, nine in number, are now given. Sometimes “honored”, sometimes treated as an outcast. By evil report and good report. Sometimes well spoken of, sometimes slandered. As deceivers, and [yet] true. Sometimes represented as artful impostors, yet true in life, word and deed.

Galatians 1:15

As unknown, and [yet] well known. Obscure in the great, indifferent world, but well known in the church and to God. As dying, and, behold, we live. Always exposed to death, and yet preserved, and having eternal life. As chastened, and not killed. See Psalms 118:18. Though many a blow fell upon him, his life was spared.

Galatians 1:16

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing. His suffering caused him grief, yet he rejoiced in hope. As poor, yet making many rich. Without worldly wealth, but carrying the riches of Christ to men. As having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:21.

Galatians 1:17

O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you. I speak freely to you, my Corinthian brethren. Our heart is enlarged. Filled with affection for you.

Galatians 1:18

Ye are not straitened in us. Our heart is large enough to embrace you all. But ye are straitened in your own bowels. It is you who are straitened; your hearts are confined so that you do not give me free admission. After the noble portraiture of what he suffered for them, he proceeds to affectionate entreaty.

Galatians 1:19

For a recompence in the same . . . be ye also enlarged. In return for his openness and tender affection, let there be a reciprocation of his love for them. He speaks as their spiritual father in paternal tenderness.

Galatians 1:20

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. The figure is drawn from the prohibition of De 22:10 Leviticus 19:19. The meaning is that Christians are not to pair off with unbelievers. All intimate associations are forbidden. The primary reference is to intermarriage and to association in heathen festivals. All close fellowship with unbelievers is included.

Saints should choose Christian alliances and associations. NOTE ON MIXED MARRIAGES.–“The unequal yoking” covers the question of marriage between Christians and irreligious persons. The whole spirit of the Bible is against the practice. Marriages of the “sons of God” with the “daughters of men” caused the sins which brought on the Flood (Genesis 6:1-7). Alien marriages were forbidden to Israel (Exodus 34:16 Deuteronomy 7:3,4); this was the pit into which Samson fell (Jude 14:3); to this cause was due the fall of Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-10); Ezra made the Jews put away alien wives (Ezra 9:10), and in the discussion of the subject in 1 Corinthians 7, the whole implication is that intermarriage with unbelievers was out of the question. The widow is only allowed to marry a Christian (1 Corinthians 7:39).

Galatians 1:21

What concord hath Christ with Satan? Belial, a heathen god like Beelzebub, is used as a synonym for Satan in the Revised Version. See Matthew 12:24. As Christ has nothing in common with Satan, how can a believer in him have a close intimacy with one who is still under the dominion of the prince of this world?

Galatians 1:22

What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? As God’s temple has nothing in common with the idol temple, so the saints are to be separated from idolaters. For ye are the temple of the living God. The Christian is himself the sanctuary of the Lord, as is proved by the passage quoted from Leviticus 26:12. God dwells in his people as the Shekinah dwelt between the cherubim (Exodus 25:22).

Galatians 1:23

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, etc. Quoted from Isaiah 52:11. A call to Israel to cleanse itself from pagan pollutions.

Galatians 1:24

And I will be a Father unto you. Quoted from Jeremiah 31:1,9 Isaiah 43:6, and other passages. It is a free combination of the spirit of several passages. The two passages teach that it is the Divine will that his worshipers should be separate from the world; that if they are thus separate he will receive them, and will accept them as his own children. Compare Romans 12:2 James 1:27.