Galatians 1:11-24

The Divine Origin of the Gospel

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:11-12

The Apostle Paul reminds the Galatians that the gospel he preached did not come from human origin. His apostleship and the gospel message itself were received directly from Jesus Christ, as seen in Acts chapter 9. On the road to Damascus, in his zeal to destroy Christianity, Paul encountered the resurrected Lord. This was his conversion—a divine revelation, not taught by men.

The gospel is not like human inventions, such as those conjured by Muhammad or Buddha. It originates from God Himself. Because it is of divine origin, the gospel is powerful, trustworthy, and effective.

• Powerful: It pronounces judgment on sin, reveals God's holiness, and proclaims Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It forgives sins, grants repentance, and frees us from sin's tyranny.
• Trustworthy: Unlike human promises that disappoint, the gospel will never let you down. It always accomplishes its purpose.
• Effective: It works completely in your life, removing sin and granting eternal life without failing or stopping midway.

Paul is presently reminding them of the gospel he has already preached. This past tense preaching is ongoing—he will never finish proclaiming it. The gospel must be central to our lives, preached to ourselves daily until we live it.

I will meditate on all Your work and be absorbed in thoughts on Your deeds.
Psalm 77:12

Make me understand the way of Your precepts, so that I will meditate on all Your wonders.
Psalm 119:27

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Benefits of keeping the gospel on our minds:

• A powerful weapon against sin:

  Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.
  Psalm 119:11

• Joy and satisfaction in God:

  I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.
  Psalm 119:16

The Transformative Response to the Gospel

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my people, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Galatians 1:13-14

Paul was the Pharisee of Pharisees, top of his class, zealous for Jewish traditions. He breathed threats and murder against the church (Acts 9:1). He held the cloaks during Stephen's martyrdom.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy." And they were glorifying God because of me.

Galatians 1:15-24

After his conversion, Paul did not consult men for three years. He went to Arabia and Damascus, discipled by Christ Himself. This confirms the gospel's divine origin—it changed a murderer into a proclaimer of the faith.

He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.
Ephesians 1:5

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Paul's life shows the gospel's power: from persecutor to preacher. It changes desires, from hating the gospel to advancing it. You were once enslaved to sin, but now you are washed, sanctified, justified—a new creation.

The Result: Glorifying God

The purpose of the gospel and our testimony is God's glory. Paul's changed life led others to glorify God in him—not Paul himself. True testimony points to God's saving power, not human effort. Works-based salvation diminishes God's grace.

Key takeaways:

• Change of desires: From destroying the gospel to committing life to it, valuing it above all.
• From hating to advancing the gospel: We once saw it as foolish, but now desire its spread.
• Result: God glorified through visible change and fruit in our lives.

Examine your life: Is it a testimony that causes others to glorify God? Are you a catalyst for His glory?