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Galatians 1: Obtain Your Reward
Anybody can claim to be a messenger from God. What proof did Paul have?
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1 Corinthians 9:1–2 Am I not God’s messenger of my own free will? Haven’t I seen our Lord Jesus Christ, and you are his followers because of my effort? Others may think I am not his messenger, but your relationship with the Lord proves that I am.
2 Corinthians 12:12 In my patient work among you, the signs, wonders, and miracles are clear evidence that I really am God’s messenger.
Galatians 1:1–2 Paul, a special messenger of Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Christ from the dead—not sent by men or under the authority of any man—and those who minister with me are sending this letter to the churches in Galatia.
King James
1 Corinthians 9:1–2 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Galatians 1:1–2 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
What brings a person past the point of common courtesy to really caring?
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Galatians 1:3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ favor you with peace and contentment.
King James
Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Why would anyone not want to be free from sin and the evil of this world?
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John 3:19 “This is why God condemns people: Light has come into the world, but people love the darkness, not the light, because their deeds are evil.
John 8:44–45 “You come from your father, the devil, and your desires are like his. From the beginning, he was a murderer and opposed the truth, because truth was not in his nature. When he lies, he speaks from his heart, because he is a liar and the father of lies. So it is only natural, when I speak the truth, that you do not believe me.
Galatians 1:4 Jesus died to pay the penalty for our wrongdoing, wanting to set us free from the evil of this world and cause our thoughts and actions to follow the desires of God our Father.
1 Timothy 6:10 The love of money is the root of all evil. Coveting the independence, power, and control that money provides, they have strayed from the faith, creating many sorrows for themselves and others.
King James
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 8:44–45 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Galatians 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 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
What do you think the three topmost things that God should be praised for?
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Galatians 1:5 May God be praised forever for his glorious work. Amen.
King James
Galatians 1:5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
What are the most important causes for people being deceived?
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Galatians 1:6–7 I am amazed that you have so quickly distanced yourself from God, who has called you to his unmerited favor in Christ Jesus. The different way you have chosen is not the way of the Lord. You’re being deceived by those who deliberately corrupt the good news concerning Jesus.
King James
Galatians 1:6–7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Is ignorance ever an acceptable excuse for wrongdoing? Why or why not?
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Galatians 1:6–7 I am amazed that you have so quickly distanced yourself from God, who has called you to his unmerited favor in Christ Jesus. The different way you have chosen is not the way of the Lord. You’re being deceived by those who deliberately corrupt the good news concerning Jesus.
King James
Galatians 1:6–7 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Why do you think Paul was so insistent that his message was right and others were wrong?
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Galatians 1:8 If we, an angel from Heaven, or anybody else preaches a message different from what you first heard from us, let him be judged and condemned.
King James
Galatians 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.
If people didn’t hear Paul’s claim the first time, what would be the value of repeating it?
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Galatians 1:9 You need to hear this, so I’ll say it again: anyone who proclaims a message different from what you first heard from us, let him be abhorred, being evil.
King James
Galatians 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.
What actions are typical of those who seek to please people?
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Galatians 1:10 Am I saying this to gain your approval, or is it to please God? Obviously, since I’ve made myself a slave to whatever the Lord Jesus wants, I’m not looking for favor from the people.
King James
Galatians 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.
Why do you think Paul didn’t mention his study under Gamaliel?
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Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew born in Tarsus in Cilicia, brought up under the teaching of Gamaliel, taught in the perfect ways of the Law received from our fathers. I had a zeal for God such as you have expressed today.
Galatians 1:11–12 My friends, I assure you that the message of Jesus Christ that I preach is not a result of any seminary teaching. No individual or school taught me, for the revelation came from Jesus himself.
King James
Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Galatians 1:11–12 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Why do you think it was important for Paul to reveal his past persecution of Christians?
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Galatians 1:13 You have heard me describe my past practice of the Jewish faith, how I persecuted the followers of Jesus and did my best to destroy Christianity.
King James
Galatians 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
If the Galatians had no Jewish heritage, how could they appreciate Paul’s absolute obedience to the Jewish Law and traditions?
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Galatians 1:14 Being more passionate, I stood above my peers in obeying the Law and the religious traditions of my ancestors.
King James
Galatians 1:14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
In what ways do we serve the Lord?
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Galatians 1:15 From the time I was born, I lived in God’s grace, called to serve him.
King James
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
Do you think Paul had the greatest passion for those who didn’t know God, or for the Jews who didn’t know Jesus? Why?
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Galatians 1:16 His Son was revealed to me so I could preach his message among those who do not know God, a call that I obeyed without human counsel.
King James
Galatians 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Where did Paul get his training for ministry?
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Galatians 1:17 I didn’t go to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles who were called before I was. I first went to Arabia, then returned to Damascus.
King James
Galatians 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
When Paul stayed with Peter for over two weeks in Jerusalem, what might they have talked about?
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Galatians 1:18 Finally, after three years, I went to see Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for fifteen days.
King James
Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Why do you think Paul didn’t see other church leaders while he was in Jerusalem?
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Galatians 1:19 I saw none of the other apostles except for James, the brother of Jesus.
King James
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
What is the value of saying your words are true?
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Galatians 1:20 God being my witness, everything I am writing to you is the absolute truth.
King James
Galatians 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Why do you think Paul did not visit the cities in Judea?
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Galatians 1:21–22 After Jerusalem, I went to the communities in Syria and Cilicia. If I had visited any of the assemblies of believers in Judea, nobody would have recognized me.
King James
Galatians 1:21–22 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
If Paul had visited a gathering of believers in Judea, how would he have been received?
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Galatians 1:23–24 All they knew about me was what they had heard: “The one who has been persecuting us is now proclaiming the good news about Jesus, the very message he sought to destroy.” They praised God for what had happened in me.
King James
Galatians 1:23–24 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me.