… how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
Summary: In this passage Paul recounts his misguided attempts to serve God by persecuting believers in Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13b – Stupid Games”Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus
… For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,
Summary: Paul’s words in this passage give us pause for thought. If you could take a “before” and “after” picture of yourself before and after meeting Jesus, what would be different?
Continue reading “Galatians 1:13a – Knowing Jesus”Galatians 1:12a – When Everything Changes
I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it;
Summary: Where we get our information matters. If we learn from people who teach opinions instead of fact, we live under the burden of their ignorance. When we see the light of Truth, everything changes.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:12a – When Everything Changes”Galatians 1:10c – God First
If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Summary: Pleasing God and pleasing people are at odds with each other. They always have been, and they always will be.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:10c – God First”Galatians 1:10a – Something Else
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?
Summary: The change in Saul on the road to Damascus was noticed by the people he used to hang around with. It was a change that offended and infuriated them, and the fact that Saul didn’t care made them madder still.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:10a – Something Else”Galatians 1:3c – The God-Heart-Connection
… to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
Summary: The value of the offer of “grace and peace” depends entirely on who is making the offer.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:3c – The God-Heart-Connection”Galatians 1:1c – When Jesus Returned
… who raised him from the dead—
Summary: When Jesus his raised from the dead, he is not raised up as he was, that is as a mortal. Instead, he is raised immortal and imperishable.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:1c – When Jesus Returned”Galatians 1:1b – A Mission From God
… and God the Father
Summary: Paul is on a mission. He has to correct the thinking of people who are hundreds of miles away while he is a prisoner in Rome.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:1b – A Mission From God”Galatians 1:1a – God’s Treasures
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ …
Summary: Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with a provocative statement. He is not an apostle sent by other apostles. He didn’t come to the party as a “wanna-be” or a “me too.” Jesus chose Paul personally. He is a man on a mission.
Continue reading “Galatians 1:1a – God’s Treasures”Ephesians 6:23b – Ambassador for Christ
… and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Summary: Sometimes people say things they don’t mean. Paul was not like that. He represented Jesus to the Gentiles, and he took his work very seriously.
Continue reading “Ephesians 6:23b – Ambassador for Christ”