I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by [the] grace [of Christ] for a different gospel 7 (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach [to you] a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed! 10 Am I now currying favor with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.
Galatia was a region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) where Paul had established several Christian communities during his missionary journeys. These communities consisted of both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. Judaisers, Jewish converts to Christianity, insisted that Gentile converts must observe Jewish laws and customs, particularly circumcision, in addition to believing in Christ for salvation because, in their view, Christianity was an extension or fulfillment of Judaism. They also questioned Paul's authority as an apostle and whether his Gospel message was authentic. The Judaisers were causing conflict and division within the community so Paul’s letter was written to address the teaching of the Judaisers.
Paul wrote his letter to all the churches in Galatia emphasizing the divine origin of his apostleship. He extended grace and peace to them from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He expressed astonishment at how quickly some Galatians abandoned the Gospel he had preached and embraced teachings contrary to what he had initially taught them. He asserted that the only authentic Gospel is the true message of salvation through Christ which he preached to them. Some individuals are leading the Galatians astray from the true Gospel by preaching false doctrines that undermine the grace of Christ. They are perverting the Gospel entirely and leading Galatians away from the truth.
Paul wrote that even if he or anyone else, including angelic beings, were to preach a gospel contrary to what he originally taught the Galatians, they should be considered divinely accursed (anathema). He wrote that his goal was not to win the approval of humans or God. He does not depend on human approval and is dedicated to serving Christ faithfully, regardless of human opinion. His primary allegiance and commitment is to Christ.
Almighty God, grant us the wisdom to discern the true Gospel of salvation through Christ alone. Guard us against deception and strengthen our faith so that we may remain steadfast in your truth, even in the face of opposition. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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