As I study Galatians with the women in my church, I’m doing something a little different than I usually do here on Pondered Treasures. I’m summarizing the passages, adding same parallel passages for explanation, then asking some application questions. It’s my way of making sense of Paul’s writing and digging for his meaning and how I can apply it personally. It may only appeal to “Bible nerds” like me, but I offer it to you. May it help you in your study. I start with Galatians 1:1–10.

Introduction

The first letter the apostle Paul writes is to the churches in Galatia (modern day Turkey). Out of the gate he reminds his readers that he was not sent by humankind, but “by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead” (Gal 1:1).

Paul then gives his customary salutation of grace to his Gentile readers and peace to his Jewish readers (1:3) followed by glory to “our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of God the Father” (1:4–5).

• He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13–14)

I am so grateful Jesus gave himself for me, especially for my propensity to self-righteousness. For what did Jesus give himself for you?

Purpose

Paul then plunges directly into his concerns (without the words of thanks to his readers found in his future letters). Paul is alarmed that these young believers are quickly turning away from Jesus and turning to a different gospel (1:6). He makes it clear that there is only one gospel and anything different is actually no gospel at all.

What is this gospel that Paul so adamantly wants to preserve? It is the good news that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and resurrected, providing salvation to all who believe.

• I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. (1 Cor 15:3–4)

Apparently there were some in the church throwing the congregants into confusion, troubling them and causing anxiety. They distorted—perverted or corrupted—the gospel (1:7).

• We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. (Acts 15:24)
• Command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (1 Tim 1:3–4, 6–7)

These teachers were Judaizers—a Jewish faction in the church who wanted the believers to follow Jewish customs along with following Jesus. “A Judaizer taught that, in order for a Christian to truly be right with God, he must conform to the Mosaic Law. Circumcision, especially, was promoted as necessary for salvation.”¹ Paul is so incensed that he declares anyone who preaches a different gospel—including himself and angels—eternally condemned. (1:8–9).

I am troubled by those who tell me “You can’t possibly be a Christian if you _____________.” I’ve heard a number of things in that blank, the most disconcerting being political persuasions and policies. But I am encouraged by Jesus’s own words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:1).

What different gospel are you tempted to turn to? What distortion of the gospel are you troubled by?

Motivation

Paul then writes,

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 NIV

Paul is not talking about a pattern of behavior psychologists called “people pleasing.” Paul isn’t asking us to speak up for ourselves, say no, enforce boundaries, live authentically, or take care of ourselves (although these are important components of emotional maturity). In this passage, he’s talking about not changing the gospel in order to please people and curry favor with them. He is telling us, by his example, to be a bond servant of Christ, not of people.

Not pleasing people doesn’t mean I can be rude, disrespectful, or mean. It doesn’t mean I don’t care about them or consider their needs. I can’t use this as an excuse to say whatever I want without restraint. Because acting and speaking this way would not please God. 

It means I don’t live for their approval, bend myself to fit their mold, get them to like me and accept me, manipulate to gain their favor, or stop being Christ-like. It means I won’t “die” if I’m not accepted. Because being popular isn’t my goal. 

Pleasing God means I obey him, follow his path for me, and imitate Christ. It means that when God gives me a message or job, I say it or do it regardless of whether or not it wins followers. It means I don’t use flattery or water down my message to achieve more “likes” or “clicks.” And I speak with kindness and respect because everyone bears God’s image.

When it comes to the gospel, I seek to please and serve God. Not my social media followers. Not the algorithm. Not a political party. Not my neighbors. Not even my family.

What does pleasing God, not people, mean to you?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for rescuing me from this evil age. Thank you for the truth and simplicity of the gospel. These days I don’t have voices telling me that I need to obey the Jewish laws, but I do hear voices telling me to add other things to your gospel. Help me to discern these distortions that seek to trouble me. And give me courage to to please you and at the same time not deliberately displease others.²

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1. https://www.gotquestions.org/Judaizers.html ↩︎
2. Credit to Beth Moore for that turn of phrase. ↩︎