FocusA serious warning
Connection to the wholePaul's opening moves quickly to the danger of another gospel, making fidelity to the received message more important than pleasing people.
interpretation Galatians 1:8
KJVBut though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Read it in context
The departure from the gospel
Start reading at Galatians 1:1 (Galatians 1:1 to Galatians 1:10).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Paul's opening moves quickly to the danger of another gospel, making fidelity to the received message more important than pleasing people.
- 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
- 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
- 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
- 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
- 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
- 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
- 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
- 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul the apostle is the author, with the brethren who are with him included in the greeting. Biblical references: Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:2. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Galatians 1:1–2:21): Paul addresses the Galatian churches concerning a different gospel and recounts his calling and dealings with the other apostles. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The churches of Galatia, including Gentile converts being pressed about circumcision and observance of the law. Whether the destination is northern or southern Galatia remains debated. Biblical references: Galatians 1:2; Galatians 4:8; Galatians 5:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The departure from the gospel. Read Galatians 1:1 through Galatians 1:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Paul's opening moves quickly to the danger of another gospel, making fidelity to the received message more important than pleasing people. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter responds to an active dispute affecting the Galatian churches. Its modern dating depends in part on identifying the visit and communities under discussion. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The churches of Galatia are addressed. Jerusalem, Antioch, Arabia, and other places occur in Paul's account; the precise location of writing is not explicitly stated. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The departure from the gospel (Galatians 1:1 to Galatians 1:10). Start reading at Galatians 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Paul argues from Christ's giving of Himself, redemption, and the promise to Abraham. He rejects reliance on the law as the basis of justification while calling the readers to walk in the Spirit. See Galatians 1:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:16, Galatians 5:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Defend the gospel without using liberty as an occasion for the flesh. Keep the letter's calls to faith working through love and perseverance in doing good alongside its rejection of boasting in the law. interpretation
Cited: Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:10, Galatians 1:4, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 3:16, Galatians 5:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself, and notes writing in his own hand.
Galatians 1:1Galatians 6:11
Early traditionUniform tradition names Paul.
What is debatedThe destination, north or south Galatia, is debated, which affects the date.
Related passages
- though Gal 1:9 1 Cor 16:22 2 Cor 11:13-14 1 Tim 1:19-20 Titus 3:10 Rev 22:18-19
- let Gal 3:10,13 Gen 9:25 Deut 27:15-26 Josh 9:23 1 Sam 26:19 Neh 13:25 Matt 25:41 2 Pet 2:14
- accursed Mark 14:71 Acts 23:14 Rom 9:3 1 Cor 12:3 1 Cor 16:22
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Galatians 1
Paul addresses the churches of Galatia concerning a departure from the gospel and pressure to take on circumcision and the law as the basis of justification. His defense of grace and faith is joined to baptism into Christ, life in the Spirit, and warnings against the works of the flesh.
Galatians 1:1 Galatians 1:2 Galatians 1:6 Galatians 3:27 Galatians 5:16
Paul's calling and early history
Galatians 1:11–24FocusThe source of his message
Connection to the wholePaul recounts his former life and calling to show that his gospel was not simply received from human teachers.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Galatians
Paul addresses the churches of Galatia concerning a departure from the gospel and pressure to take on circumcision and the law as the basis of justification. His defense of grace and faith is joined to baptism into Christ, life in the Spirit, and warnings against the works of the flesh.
Galatians 1:1 Galatians 1:2 Galatians 1:6 Galatians 3:27 Galatians 5:16
FocusAuthority, fellowship, and justification
Connection to the wholePaul recounts his calling and encounters with other leaders to defend the gospel against a requirement that would undermine justification through Christ.
interpretation Promise and the law
Galatians 3:1–4:31FocusAbraham, sonship, and freedom
Connection to the wholePaul reasons from Scripture and the readers' experience, explaining the relation of promise, law, and their identity in Christ.
interpretation Freedom lived through the Spirit
Galatians 5:1–6:18FocusLove, holiness, and mutual responsibility
Connection to the wholeThe practical conclusion rejects both a return to bondage and the misuse of liberty, calling for Spirit-led conduct and perseverance in doing good.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.