Galatians 1:6-10

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, which is not another, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Paul's Astonishing Reaction

These are some of the harshest words in the New Testament, yet they are profound and precious. At the outset of Galatians, Paul focuses on the gospel, placing it at the center of our lives. Every one of us has lived lives that have not valued the gospel to the fullest extent we should.

Paul emphasizes the importance of the gospel's integrity—what we believe, say, and do. Tonight, we focus on three points from these verses:

1. Paul's reaction to the problem in the Galatian churches.
2. The Galatians' retreat from the gospel.
3. The realization believers must have to embrace and maintain the gospel's integrity.

Paul begins with astonishment: "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different gospel." This is unprecedented in his writings. It's like witnessing Jesus' miracles, but in a negative sense—utter amazement at their defection.

The Judaizers imposed an unnecessary burden: circumcision added to the gospel of Christ's crucifixion, shed blood, burial, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit's work. Adding circumcision transposes it onto the gospel, changing it entirely into a different kind that does not save.

According to Colossians 2, baptism is the new circumcision—a sign of the covenant, demonstrating spiritual reality, not causing salvation. Abraham believed God and was reckoned righteous thirty years before circumcision. Galatians is a full exposition that justification is by faith alone. The Holy Spirit applies the gospel; nothing is added.

Saving faith is never alone—it produces repentance, obedience, and good works (Titus 2:14). These are consequences of salvation, not causes. Paul is astonished that anyone would abandon this beautiful freedom in Christ for a different gospel, abandoning God himself.

Lessons from Paul's Amazement

Paul shows that in genuine Christians' lives, Christ must be important. These were churches Paul established, yet they quickly turned away—either immediately after he left or with ease, unhindered.

If God is not important, sin easily creeps in. The gospel's integrity combats sin. If God is unimportant, offenses against him do not concern us.

Paul's disturbance shows Christians must value the gospel. If God is not valued, neither is the holiness he requires or living to glorify him (Philippians 1:27). How much time do you spend enjoying things unrelated to God or the gospel? Valuing the gospel means recognizing it changes lives permanently—Jesus saves and sanctifies (Hebrews 2).

Paul's marveling shows Christians must be committed daily to the gospel. Without it, expect failure and lack joy. Like the Psalmist, rise early with dedication to God, delight in his word, meditate day and night, and hide it in your heart to avoid sin (Psalm 119).

The Galatians' Retreat from the Gospel

Verse 7: "which is not another, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." It's not the same kind (allos) but a different kind (heteros)—devoid of saving power.

These troublers intend harm, discrediting Paul's apostleship to dismantle his work. Adding to the gospel places an unnecessary yoke, causing inward turmoil, not peace.

Examples include claims that baptism saves, or Roman Catholic requirements like penance and Eucharist. Even if outwardly content, God's declaration is turmoil. When Peter acted similarly and was rebuked, it appeared fine, but spiritually it was not.

The Realization Believers Must Have

Verses 8-9 warn even hypothetically: if we, an apostle, or an angel preaches another gospel, let him be accursed. Verse 9 is reality: anyone preaching differently is accursed—under God's wrath eternally, unredeemable.

This illustrates the gospel's seriousness for souls' salvation. Perverters pollute it intentionally. Maintain its integrity, guard against polluters, and cherish it. Remove yourself; let God's wrath handle them.

Verse 10: "For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."

We face two camps: pleasing men (human approval) or God (attitudes and actions from faith). Slaves of Christ (doulos) are purchased from sin's slavery into righteousness by faith in Christ's work, producing a lifestyle of faith.

Seeking men's pleasure compromises the gospel for fellowship (Amos 3:3). Compromise holiness for acceptance? Protestants unifying with charismatics or Catholics on non-essentials ignores deceptions like baptismal regeneration.

We share creation in God's image but no neutral ground for compromising fellowship. The result of valuing, committing to the gospel is desiring to please God, not men. Proverbs says God makes even enemies at peace with those pleasing him.

Examine: Are you a man-pleaser or God-pleaser? Compared to almighty God, who are they?