We now move from Paul’s greeting to the content of his letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 1:6-10 NLT
There Is Only One Good News
6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Examine the scriptures
Galatians 1:6-10 NLT
There Is Only One Good News
6 I am shocked
Other translations replace shocked with: marvel – astounded – surprised – amazed
Some might say, “I am appalled”.
How is this for a greeting?
Paul is probably feeling astonishment, frustration, and anger.
The Galatian churches that started out believing the truth of the Gospel were now turning away from the true Gospel.
Apparently Paul had visited each of the churches (except Derbe) twice. Once going and once returning.
that you are turning away (deserting) so soon from God,
Paul had just returned from his missionary journey.
- The Galatian churches were turning away from the true Gospel “quickly and easily”.
- The Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue legalism taught by the false teachers.
(God) who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.
- God had called the Galatians to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 NLT
Believers Should Stand Firm
13 As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 14 He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all.
If your teaching adds anything to “The good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone”, your teaching “is not the Good News at all.
- If your teaching compromises the Gospel in any way, your teaching “is not the Good News at all.
You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
- The Galatians were being fooled by teachers who deliberately twisted the truth concerning Christ.
Application for us today.
Matthew 7:15 NLT
15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
Colossians 2:8 NLT
8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
2 Timothy 4:3 NLT
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
Matthew 13:20-21 NLT
20 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
1 Timothy 4:1 NLT
Warnings against False Teachers
4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
Matthew 24: 10-12
10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 24:24 NLT
24 For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.
- False prophets will appear and will deceive many people.
Practice discernment. (Teach discernment)
1 John 4:1 NLT
Discerning False Prophets
4:1 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.
Acts 17:11 NLT
11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
Paul’s counsel to Timothy
2 Timothy 4:1-5 NLT
4:1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
- Examine the scriptures to determine truth and error.
8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you.
9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
Harsh consequences.
Matthew 18:6 NLT
6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
2 Peter 2:1 NLT
The Danger of False Teachers
2:1 But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.
- There are severe consequences for those who teach a false gospel.
10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
- If pleasing people is our goal, we would not be Christ’s servants.
