Gal. 1:13-17 - My Reputation Precedes Me.

13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.
14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.
15-16 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being,
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.

My Former Way of Life

vs.13 “For you have heard of my former way of life” - Paul is admitting, “My reputation precedes me.” An example from our time is Charles Colson. “Chuck” was President Nixon’s Chief of Staff during the embattled president’s ‘Watergate’ scandal. Nixon resigned in disgrace; Colson went to prison. There he accepted Christ as Savior. There was much doubt about his conversion and sincerity because of his reputation as an efficient and dirty dealer. He started a prison ministry, and became a powerful apologist for Christ! His life was turned around by the power of Christ.

This is Paul’s story also.

“savagely persecuting the church” - This is an understatement. He hunted believers down, had them arrested and thrown in prison. He sought permission to leave Jerusalem on hunting expedition. See: Acts 7:57, 8:1-3, 9:1-2.

vs. 14 “advancing in Judaism” - Paul studied Judaism under the noted Pharisee Gamaliel (only mentioned two times in Acts. Historically, Gamaliel led the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem for about 18 years during the rule of three Roman Emperors, most probably well after the church dispersed into the surrounding nations and world. After Pentecost the council attempted to silence Peter and John. The reply from Peter and the apostles, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:31) The Sanhedrin wanted to stone them. Gamaliel warned the Jewish leaders they might be fighting against God. He noted, if the Christian movement was not from God, it would fail. But if the church was from God, the Sanhedrin would fail. In the long run, they did not listen to him. See: Acts 5:34-40.

“extremely zealous” - Are we surprised? When the persecution of the believers started, Paul was right there, fully involved. See: Acts 7:58, 8:1-3, 9:1. Paul describes his zealous work - See Acts 22:4-5.

But... Set Apart

vs. 15-16 “But” - In spite of Paul’s actions reputation …

“set me apart… called me by His grace… reveal his Son… preach Him” - Paul recognizes that God called him to this ministry to the Gentiles.

“Set me apart” shows that Paul realizes God had a higher purpose for him. Just as Jesus chose the twelve disciples to follow and learn from him, Paul was chosen. In a similar way, artisans were chosen by God to build the accoutrements of the tabernacle. A few were empowered by the Holy Spirit to make the Arc of the Covenant, the panels, the poles, the decorations, the altar for the tabernacle. These were given the ability to make it exactly as God intended. They were ‘set apart’.

“Called by His grace” - He was not chosen because of his good works. What part of killing Christians can be considered good? Paul says in 1 Tim. 1:15-16 it is was God’s mercy that saved him, even though he considered himself the worst of sinners. Grace is the demonstration of God’s mercy - in that we do not receive what we deserve.

“Reveal His Son” - Just as Moses was called to save the nation from Egypt, and the Judges were called to deliver the nation from oppression, Paul knew he was called to proclaim salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to the world. Paul understood that “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which man may be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“Preach Him among the Gentiles” - See Acts 9:15-16 - Paul did not need to rely on his own testimony that his ministry was to non-Jews. God used a miracle, a vision to Ananias, that Paul was chosen for this specific ministry. Ananias was confused. How could God use a guy who has been persecuting believers, having them arrested and killed? God assures Ananias that Paul is the one, and he will not get off Scott-free. He will suffer for his ministry - not as a punishment for his previous actions (those have been forgiven!) - because Christ suffered and his disciples will also suffer the hate from the world.

Consider the miraculous nature of Paul being chosen as an apostle and a missionary. The other apostles were mostly Jewish fishermen, perhaps with a rudimentary education. Note how amazed the populace was at Pentecost when these ‘Galileans’ were speaking to the many nations assembled there. How could this be? “(See Acts 2:4-13) Maybe they are drunk! Maybe it’s a miracle! Peter and others could readily reach other Jews, they spoke the language, they identified the traditions and belief systems. I am not saying the apostles would not be able to go into all the world. Bible dictionaries and resources indicate that various apostle went beyond the boundaries of the Roman world.

Paul was a Roman citizen. (I don't know how being a Jew born in Jerusalem was different than a Jew born elsewhere in the Roman Empire. Evidently Paul’s father was a Roman citizen, and probably Jewish. Note: very little is known about his parents.) This provided a significant advantage in moving from area to area. It provided significant advantage when dealing with local authorities. When Paul would say, “I’m a Roman citizen”, a certain amount of panic, or deference, would be shown by the authorities holding Paul as hostage or prisoner. Paul was educated, and could speak the common languages - Greek and Latin. He understood logic, and apologetics. If Galilee was considered a backward and uneducated ghetto, then Greece and Rome were the penultimate educated and cosmopolitan society. Paul could relate to both.

“I did not go to ask advice” - Paul was a very type “A” personality. Once he committed, it was full speed ahead, no wavering, no second guessing. He was advanced in Judaism. He studied under the top scholars in Jerusalem. He was active in defending his faith (Judaism) and God. When he converted - seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus - he became extremely zealous for Christ and the church. He didn't ponder, “I am doing the right thing?” “Is this what God wants me to do?”

Now, take into consideration Paul talked with Jesus, was instructed by Jesus. Sometimes we ‘mere mortals’ rely on feelings, on confirmation from God in prayer, in scripture, in advice from fellow believers. Seldom do we get words from God directly into our minds. We rely on the Holy Spirit to inform and guide us. That process requires us to be controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, that relationship can be hampered by our sin and stubbornness. We can KNOW, deep within our soul what God wants to do, whether to be a missionary, or a Bible Study leader, or a pastor. We know because the Holy Spirit confirms it. I contend that Paul had this confirmation - in Spades.

vs. 17 “right away I departed to Arabia” - This bit of personal history is not clearly stated in Acts. When Paul has been healed from his blindness through the laying on of hands by Ananias, he begins preaching the Gospel. (See Acts 9:18-21) Paul’s preaching gets the Jewish leaders in an uproar. Some believers rescue Paul by sneaking him out of Damascus, though a window. The gates to the city were being watched and Paul could not exit without being caught. (Acts 9:25) His former allies were furious that Paul deserted them forJesus! Paul goes to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). [The next couple of chapters - Acts 10 & 11 - are about Peter and his ministry, and how he learns the Gospel is for the Gentiles as well as the Jews.] In Acts 11, Paul is in Jerusalem with other Jews, and is preaching the Gospel for the Gentiles and the Jews. Again, Jews are furious. Paul escapes Jerusalem for Tarsus (Acts 9:30). Barnabas goes to Tarsus to get Paul and takes him to Antioch. (Acts 11:25). Antioch is about 300 miles north of Jerusalem, near the western Mediterranian coast (now part of modern Syria).

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Gal. 1:6-9 - A Contrary Gospel

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel -
7 not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!
9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!

I am Shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

Paul wastes no time jumping into the issue troubling the churches in Galatia.

vs. 6 “I am astonished” - Astonished is ‘amazed’ in some translations. When Jesus calmed the sea, his disciples were ‘amazed’. (Matt. 8:27) When Jesus expelled demons, the people were ‘amazed’. (Matt. 9:33). Paul likewise is amazed and stunned at the Galatians!

“you are so quickly deserting” - It has only been a few years, perhaps less than 10-15 since Paul and Barnabas spread the gospel throughout the region. Satan was working to blunt the effect of the church from the beginning. Read through the “Acts of the Apostles”. Are you not impressed at the hate and opposition Paul and Peter and the other apostles experienced? Satan tried to stamp out Christianity as soon as the Pentecost message was preached - and he is still working today.

“the one who called you” - God, by the Holy Spirit, calls us to believe in Jesus. See: John 6:44, 12:32; Titus 3:3-5.

“following a different gospel” - Someone is preaching a message of ‘hope’ that does not involve Jesus’ sacrifice. I am confused along with Paul by this. What gospel exists other than “Jesus Christ and Him crucified”? (1 Cor. 2:2)

There is always someone out there who has the ‘secret’. Whether it the secret to power, or secret knowledge that one needs for success, there are always charlatans who lead you to believe the way is made easy. In almost every case, the secret involves “Christ plus”! It is seldom stated blatantly, but the basis is “Christ is not enough”. Think about that. The sacrifice on the cross, that horrible crucifixion, is insufficient to please God, the Father! What blasphemy! No wonder Paul was astonished.
Sometimes the ‘different gospel’ is the result of ignorance - i.e., the preacher/evangelist simply does not have all the facts. Look at the account of Apollos - Acts 18:24-19:7 - he was an effective evangelist, but had not heard of the Holy Spirit, perhaps didn't know of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior! This is a case of someone who just doesn’t have all the information needed. See: Mark 12:29. There is no malice or evil intended.

Then there are those who see the opportunity to make a buck. These are charlatans who do not have salvation in mind at all. They see a way to take advantage of others and make money. See: Acts 13:6-10.

Most of the opposition in the early church, during the apostolic time, came from the Jewish religionists. Think on this: was Jesus a blasphemer? Some Jewish leaders were convinced that Christianity was an affront to Judaism. They could not see Jesus as the Messiah and therefore considered Him and His followers as attacking Judaism.

Paul is addressing teaching that is an admixture rather than a pure message of hope and salvation from sin. The source of ‘a different gospel’ was probably not out-and-out opposition. The Jewish Christians just wanted it corrected. They felt a person must become a Jew in order for the Salvation to be viable. Outright opposition came from other sources, as it does today in our society. People who oppose Christianity today do not want to improve the faith or make it easier to follow - they want us stopped.

vs. 7 “not that there really is another gospel” - Paul is adamant. There is only one gospel. Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father but through Christ. John 14:6 There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 Christ came into the world to save sinners. 1 Tim. 1:15, 16
See also Peter’s sermons after Pentecost - Acts 2:22-39, and Acts 3:12-26. Christ crucified as payment for our sins. 1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2.
One of my favorite verses is a ‘compact gospel’: For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received - that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. 1 Cor. 15:3,4

“disturbing you… distort the gospel of Christ.” - Paul knows accepting Christ as Savior is the way to peace with God, and attaining the peace of God. “Let your mind dwell on these things… and the God of peace will be with you.” Phil. 4:9 The opposite is also true, rejecting Christ has consequences - “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God's wrath remains on him.” John 3:36 This is on Paul’s mind - he knows that rejecting Christ does not lead to peace, but a troubled mind. Teaching any path to peace with God that is not Christ alone is a distortion of the truth - it is a lie.

vs. 8 “let him be condemned to hell!” - Paul pulls no punches. No whiny complaint, “You really shouldn't say that.” Nor, “That wasn't very nice.” He stands and shouts it out, “To Hell with you!” Paul is serious, because he knows the stakes are so high! A false gospel believed and acted upon means eternal damnation! A teacher/preacher spreading a contrary gospel is leading his followers to death. He knows this is a spiritual battle, and includes Satan and his angelic followers working to destroy the efficacy of the gospel. See also: Eph. 6:12. Whether it is a spiritual being or a human - anyone who distorts the gospel is condemning himself to Hell. (If a human repents of this sin, believes and confesses Jesus as Lord, he will be saved.)

vs. 9 “now I say again” - Just in case you thought Paul might not be serious about this… Anyone. Condemned. To. Hell. This is theologically important. This is not Paul’s personal animus. God is speaking through Paul. This is important to God.

We live in a culture that is very afraid of judging others. One common statement “You can’t judge me”, usually follows a comment against an action or lifestyle that is morally deficient. People want to do whatever they please with impunity. They treat sin and the need for salvation lightly. So condemning someone to Hell, for ‘nothing more than what they teach’ is offensive to them.
They are not looking at this from God’s perspective.

Here is a brief sample:

• From the beginning, God has been a jealous God.
  (Exo. 20:5, 34:14)
• He has warned that rejecting His instructions would lead to death.
  (Gen. 2:15, 16)
• There would be no other gods worshipped other than God Almighty.
  (Exo. 20:3)
• He warned the Jews that following after other Gods was the same as adultery, unfaithfulness to Him. (Jer. 3:6)
• When the Jews wanted a king, God told them it would end badly because He was to be their king. (1 Sam. 8:6-9)
• The last message of Moses to the Israelites before they went into the promised land is about 20 verses of blessings if they follow God. (Deut. 28:1-13, 29:1-17, 30:11-16)
• There are about 100 verses of calamity that will befall them if they reject Him. (Deut. 28:14-68, Deut. 29:18-29, 30:19-20)
• God laments, “If only you would have followed My instructions,”
  ( Isa. 48:17-18 )
• He said, clearly and plainly, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
• Peter emphasizes this in one of his sermons. (Acts 4:12)

Are we surprised when Paul, a passionate, driven evangelist is tearing his hair out and standing forcibly against those who would dilute the gospel, dragging their followers to Hell?

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Gal. 2:11-15 - Conflict With Peter

11 - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.
12 - Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.
13 - And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy.
14 - But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, "If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"
15 - We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners,
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Peter Comes to Antioch

Vs. 11 - “Cephas came to Antioch” - This visit by Peter (a.k.a. Cephas) to Antioch is not recorded in Acts or Peter’s writings. Paul and Barnabas worked in the Antioch church, and were sent out from the Antioch church, where believers were first called “Christians”. In Acts 15, some people from Judea (Jerusalem) came to Antioch teaching there was no salvation without circumcision, i.e., believers had to be Jews or salvation wouldn't work. Of course there was a big argument, which resulted in Paul & Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to get the issue resolved with the leaders of the church - the original apostles. (Acts 15:1-3) Peter is not mentioned until the debate in Jerusalem (Acts 15:7). It is possible that Peter came to Antioch, and was confronted by Paul there. This is my best guess.

“He had clearly done wrong” - The wrong is described in the following four verses. This is a perfect example of how old habits never go away. Old habits can only be overwritten by new habits. Even after we have established the new way of doing things, the old habit will arise occasionally. In this case, Peter knew that Gentiles were fully and completely accepted into God’s kingdom - as is, on the basis of faith in Christ. Peter had a vision, went to Joppa, shared the Gospel with Cornelius (a Roman Centurion and a Gentile), and baptized him. It is hard to get more Gentile than a Roman Centurion! (See: Acts 10:1-11:48) Peter was challenged when he returned to Jerusalem, and he made a defense which resulted in the assembly declaring “Gentiles also had the repentance that leads to life”. (See: Acts 11:1-18)

Vs. 12 - “when they arrived, he stopped…” - Here’s the nut of the problem. Peter was socializing with the Gentiles until some Jewish believers showed up. Peter then turned his back on the Gentile believers, treating them as if they were unclean. His Jewish upbringing took over the new reality. Peter, who uttered the Great Confession, feared offending some Jewish friends. It is hard to imagine one of the greatest apostles was intimidated by others. On the other hand, this is the same man who denied Christ during the ‘trial’. (See: Matt. 26:69-75)

You can ask yourself, “Do the people I am with change my behavior?” That is, do you change how you behave based on the people you are with? Do you pretend to be someone you are not?

Vs. 13 - “joined with him in this hypocrisy” - The definition of hypocrisy: “The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess”. When your actions are in conflict with your words, you are living what you actually believe, not what you say you believe. This principle applies to all areas of our lives, not just major doctrinal issues.

Vs. 14 - “the truth of the gospel” - All people, whether Gentile or Jew, can be saved by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul says is so clearly, “a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.” (Col. 3:11).

“although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile” - Here Paul spells out the hypocrisy. Peter was wavering. (See: James 1:6-8 “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”) Peter was not committing to one direction. Again, in some ways I have sympathy for Peter. His life had gone through a cataclysmic change. Our lives changed in the same way when Jesus came to live in our souls. We too may struggle with our new identity as children of the living God.

“force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” - Good question. This emphasizes the point - Peter was saved, but not because he was a Jew. We, the Gentiles are saved in spite of not being Jews. We all are saved by God’s mercy and grace. This brings to mind a children’s gospel song:

Heaven. Is a wonderful place. Filled with. Glory and grace. I wanta be there.

Vs. 15 - “We are Jews” - Before you get the wrong idea, Paul was extremely proud to be Jewish. That pride is shown in this sentence. He was a Jew. Being Jewish had tremendous advantages. (See: Rom. 3:1-2) One huge advantage is Jews know of God the Father, and the tremendous things He has done for them. Gentiles do not have this history to draw upon. In a similar way citizens of the United States of America have a tremendous advantage over peoples from other nations. We know why our nation was founded - Freedom from tyranny! We know battles and wars have been fought to keep us free - men and women have died to preserve that freedom. People who come to the U.S., who do not have that legacy of freedom have to learn it. They yearn for it, but have not experienced it.
The Jews had thousands of years of history to remind them what God can and would do for ‘His People’. Gentiles do not. However, Paul exhibits some of the same old habits like Peter with respect to Jewish attitudes towards Gentiles. “We are Jews!” “They are sinners.”

Paul may also be being sarcastic here. The Jews were so proud of their position as “God’s favorite (chosen) people”. He knows that it doesn’t matter if you are Jewish or not. You are a sinner and in desperate need of salvation by grace. Paul works through that prejudice and shares the gospel with everyone, for all need to be saved.

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Gal. 1:3-5 - Rescued from this evil age

3 “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,”
4 “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father,”
5 “to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.”

He Gave Himself

vs. 3: - “Grace and peace” - This is a New Testament greeting. Previous ‘Notes’ commented that Grace and peace are not usually combined as a blessing in the Old Testament. The closest we see is: "Say to them: ‘The LORD bless you and protect you; The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’"' (Num. 6:23-26). Paul includes this combined blessing in every letter he wrote.

This blessing is so we may know God’s grace working in us, so we may grow in our faith, knowledge, and affection; that we may live for Him, and by His influence. In peace, we have a cessation of hostility between us and God; assurance of our salvation and thereby fear nothing from God.
This is powerful stuff! We are free and unencumbered. We have the information and power to live for Him.

My son rescued a dog, which had been abused by previous owners, from the pound. The dog, “Louise”, mostly cowered in the back bedroom in fear and trembling (literally!). Louise wouldn't even come out of the room to eat. She quivered at loud noises or raised voices. It has taken patient months of love, but now they are seeing progress. She plays outside with their other dog. Louise is learning to trust them, and feel safe.

In some ways we are like Louise: we are not free as long as we continually fear retribution from a fierce and vengeful god.
You don't feel the freedom to innovate and perform to the best of your ability in your job if you are always looking over your shoulder, always aware you may receive a reprimand for minor mistakes.

God is not asking us to bear down, to grind our way through life. He is not telling us to work harder, try harder, or work smarter. Jesus is saying, “I in you, and you in Me,” (John 14:3) and “Apart from Me you can do nothing,” (John 15:5) and “I will give you a Helper who will teach you.” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26) We’re not living this life in our own power, but by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

vs. 4: - “gave himself” - Jesus was not coerced. He just did the will of God. We often hear people say that Jesus ‘was an itinerant preacher that upset the local authorities who had him killed’. This explanation for Jesus’ crucifixion is just plain wrong. The advent of Jesus was never ‘Plan B’. The triune God had a plan to redeem the world, not just mankind. See: Phil. 2:5-9; Eph. 2:25; 1 Tim. 2:6; Tit. 2:4.

“rescue us “ - ‘Plan A’ is: a perfect life sacrificed to cover sin. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin.” (Lev. 5:9; 16:15; Heb. 9:22; 1 Tim. 1:15; Luke 19:10; Matt. 26:28; John 12:27, 28; Eph. 1:7 )
God rescued the Israelites from slavery. They could do nothing to escape Egypt. God worked several miracles against Egypt, and they were asked to leave! In the final miracle, the angel of death struck the first born of every house in Egypt. The Jews were told to mark their homes with the blood of a lamb. The angel of death would harm no one who believed and followed the instuction. There was nothing the Jews could do to free themselves, or atone for their sins, except provide a sacrifice. (Exo. 12:23) See note 1 below.
There is nothing we can do to bridge the chasm of sin between us and God. God provides the payment for our sins - at no cost to us - Jesus Christ the Savior. His blood shed on the cross satisfies God’s justice. His resurrection shows us the sacrifice was all good, and provides us the hope of glory.

“according to the will” - (John 6:40, 57; 12:49; 16:15; Eph. 3:11) - The plan for salvation was set in the mind of God. Jesus executed that plan to perfection (it had to be perfect or it wouldn't work!) through the power of the Holy Spirit. The plan was according to the Father’s will. Jesus did not ‘fly by the seat of His pants’. He followed the plan.

vs. 5: - God is worthy! (See: Rev. 4:11). God is eternal! (See: Deut. 33:27; Isa. 9:6; Mark 16:20; John 3:36; 1 Tim. 1:17, 6:16; Rev. 1:20, 6:23, 16:26).

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Note 1: See the following Bible verses for a better view of God rescuing Israel:
Exo. 6:1 Watch what I am going to do!

• Exo. 7:20-21 - Blood on the water
• Exo. 8:6-7 - Frogs
• Exo. 8:17 - Gnats
• Exo. 8:23-24 - Insect swarms
• Exo. 9:6-7 - Livestock died
• Exo. 9:10-11 - Boils
• Exo. 9:23-25 - Thunder, hail and fire
• Exo. 10:12-15 - Locusts
• Exo. 10:22-23 - Darkness
• Exo. 12:29-30 - Death