English Study Guide · Lesson 01
Introduction to Galatians
No Other Gospel
The Gospel of Grace and the Life of Freedom.
Scripture Reading
Galatians 1:1–10
English Standard Version
1 Paul, an apostle not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel
7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
King James Version
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the […]
The supplied guide’s quotation ends here; the incomplete ending is marked above.
Section 01
Galatians Overview
Galatians is one of Paul’s strongest defenses of the gospel of grace. The churches of Galatia were being pressured by teachers who argued that faith in Christ was not enough and that Gentile believers also needed to accept requirements associated with the Mosaic Law, especially circumcision. It is a legal attack and defense against false teachings.
- Series: Galatians — The Gospel of Grace and the Life of Freedom.
- Date: AD 48–49, written just before the Jerusalem Council (recounted in Acts 15).
- Tone: Blunt, direct, authoritative, and brief.
- Theme: Justification comes by faith in Christ Jesus, not by works of the law.
- Key verse: Galatians 2:16.
Section 02
Geography and Background
This letter was written to Christians in the Roman province of Galatia, which Paul had visited and where he had established churches on his first missionary trip. Several churches existed in the region. These churches were under attack from false teachers who wanted Gentile believers to follow the Law of Moses.
Section 03
Paul’s Authority and Christ’s Work
Paul begins this letter by stating his credentials as an apostle, giving him full authority by the grace of God and by the calling of Jesus Christ on his life.
- Read Galatians 1:1–5.
- Paul establishes that his apostleship does not originate from human appointment but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.
- Christ gave Himself for our sins and rescues believers from the present evil age according to the Father’s will.
- Key ESV phrase (1:4): “gave himself for our sins.”
Section 04
In Defense of the True Gospel
Paul then begins his stern and direct defense of the Gospel and his rebuke of the brethren.
- Read Galatians 1:6–10.
- Paul is astonished at how quickly the Galatians left the true Gospel, but he also knows why.
- The Gospel is described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4.
- The Gospel gives us freedom from bondage, sin, and the captivity of the Jewish Law.
- There are no other gospels; all others preached by men or angels are anathema (cursed).
Section 05
Teachings for Us Today
- The Gospel is the good news that God sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins to give us liberty.
- The Gospel is under constant attack from false teachers, other religions, and human philosophies.
- Christians must know the Gospel well enough to recognize false teachings (gospels).
- Faithfulness to Christ is more important than human approval.