What if you could issue a warning to save people from a disaster? This is exactly what Paul is doing in Galatians.
Exposition of Galatians, part 2
Outline:
I. The Source of the Gospel Message
II. The Exclusivity of the Gospel Message
III. The Urgency of the Gospel Message
Quotes:
It is the policy of Satan not to set his snares in open view; had they urged them to fall away from Christ, they would have been shunned as deceivers and corrupters, but suffering them so far to continue in the faith, and putting upon their error the name of the Gospel, without fear they undermined the building employing the terms which they used as a sort of curtain to conceal the destroyers themselves.
-St. John Chrysostom, 4th c.
This will not justify our thundering out anathemas against those who differ from us in minor things. It is only against those who forge a new gospel, who overturn the foundation of the covenant of grace, by setting up the works of the law in the place of Christ’s righteousness, and corrupting Christianity with Judaism, that Paul denounces this.
-Matthew Henry, 18th c.
Considering the vehemence of Paul in this epistle, this is a very mild and tender rebuke. For his purpose is to raise up them that are fallen, and with fatherly care to call them back again from their errors to the purity of the gospel.
-Martin Luther, 16th c., on Gal. 1:6
Here Paul casts very flames of fire and his zeal is so fervent that he begins almost to curse the angels and himself.
-Martin Luther on Gal. 1:8
By this imprecation I was so stricken with terror, that I desisted from the journey which I had undertaken.
-John Calvin, describing his “come to Jesus” conversation with Farel
Scripture text: Galatians 1:1-10
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. 10 For am I now seeking to persuade men or God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Liturgy bulletin link
Sermon transcript link
Outline of Galatians
“Paul’s ‘Come to Jesus.'” preached by Rev. Dr. Timothy R. LeCroy, Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 10:00AM at New Life Presbyterian Church in Ithaca, NY. Come see the beautiful Finger Lakes region, and worship God with us. www.newlifeithaca.org.
Sermon music is from “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” provided by Sandra McCracken and with her permission. www.sandramccracken.com.