Sermons on Galatians 1:1

Galatians 1:1 Interpretation:

Understanding Apostolic Authority in the New Testament (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Galatians 1:1 as a paradigmatic example of how New Testament authors, especially Paul, wrote with a conscious awareness of their own divine authority. The sermon argues that Paul’s self-identification as “an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father” is not merely biographical but a claim to be a direct conduit of Christ’s voice, with authority equal to Scripture itself. The preacher uses the phrase “vertical act from God to me” to stress the non-human, non-institutional origin of Paul’s apostleship, and connects this to the broader argument that the New Testament canon was recognized as authoritative from its inception, not by later church decision. The sermon also notes Paul’s use of “my gospel” and “received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ” as further evidence of his unique, divinely sourced authority.

Standing Firm: The Call for Doctrinal Purity (Ligonier Ministries) offers a detailed interpretation of Galatians 1:1, emphasizing that Paul’s apostleship was not self-generated or conferred by any human authority, but was a direct commission from the risen Christ and God the Father. The sermon draws a sharp distinction between humanly-conferred authority and divine commissioning, using the analogy of a messenger who is not at liberty to alter the message. It also highlights the Greek term “anathema” (used later in the passage) to stress the seriousness of distorting the gospel, and uses vivid metaphors such as a “blocked emergency exit” and “elevator to hell” to describe a church confused about the gospel. The sermon uniquely points out that Paul’s authority is tied to his message, not his person, and that even Paul himself is subject to condemnation if he preaches a different gospel.

Paul's Apostolic Authority and Divine Commissioning (Desiring God) provides a linguistic and canonical analysis of the Greek word “apostolos,” noting that the term itself does not inherently carry authority but is contextually elevated by Jesus’ designation of the Twelve. The sermon traces the development of apostolic authority from Jesus’ selection of the Twelve, through the promise of the Holy Spirit’s guidance (John 14, 16), to Paul’s unique commissioning by the risen Christ. It distinguishes between ordinary “sent ones” and the authoritative apostles, arguing that Paul’s authority is rooted in his direct encounter with Christ and is on par with the original apostles, despite not being among the Twelve. The sermon also notes that Paul’s authority is not derivative from men or even the Jerusalem apostles, but is directly from Christ.

Upholding the Gospel Amidst Controversy and Distortion (Desiring God) closely parallels the Ligonier sermon, but adds a unique interpretive angle by focusing on the personal nature of the Galatians’ desertion: it is not merely doctrinal error, but a personal betrayal of “the One who called you.” The sermon uses the metaphor of “gospel traitors” and “personal treason,” emphasizing that turning from the gospel is tantamount to rejecting God Himself. It also employs the analogy of being trapped in mortal danger and then rescued, to illustrate the urgency and gravity of the gospel’s deliverance from the “present evil age.” The sermon further highlights the cognitive, propositional nature of the gospel, arguing that it is not merely a feeling or relationship, but a set of truth claims about what God has done in Christ.

Understanding Apostleship: Authority, Partnership, and Humility (Desiring God) interprets Galatians 1:1 by examining the Greek term “apostolos” and its range of meanings, from ordinary messengers to those uniquely commissioned by Christ. The sermon notes that Paul’s claim in Galatians 1:1 is a “very, very high claim” to divine commissioning, setting him apart from both self-appointed apostles and those appointed by men. It also discusses how Paul’s associates (Silvanus and Timothy) share in his authority only indirectly, by virtue of their partnership with him, not by direct commissioning from Christ.

The Divine Authority and Role of Apostleship (Desiring God) interprets Galatians 1:1 by situating Paul’s apostleship within the broader biblical narrative of apostolic authority. The sermon emphasizes that Paul’s commissioning was not a “catch-up plan” but part of God’s eternal purpose, and that his authority is validated by his direct encounter with the risen Christ. It also highlights the distinction between the original Twelve and Paul, noting that Paul’s authority is not second-hand or derivative, but directly from Christ, and that the unity between Paul and the Jerusalem apostles was essential for the foundation of the church.

Galatians 1:1 Theological Themes:

Guarding the True Gospel of Grace (Hope on the Beach Church) introduces the theme that to question or alter Paul’s apostolic authority is to undermine God’s own authority, not just a human messenger. The sermon uniquely frames the authority of Scripture as non-negotiable, contrasting it with the modern tendency to treat biblical teaching as a “junk drawer” of personal preferences and cultural influences. It also develops the idea that grace is not merely a doctrine but the foundation of relationship with God, and that abandoning Paul’s gospel is tantamount to abandoning relationship for religion, self-reliance, and ultimately spiritual death.

Standing Firm in the True Gospel (David Guzik) presents the distinct theological theme that the offense of the true gospel is its assault on human pride, wisdom, and self-sufficiency. Guzik details how the gospel’s insistence on rescue, inability to self-rescue, and lack of credit to the individual is deeply offensive to human nature, and that this is why people are tempted to “pervert” the gospel. He also explores the exclusivity of Christ’s atonement, arguing that if there were any other way to God, Christ’s death would be unnecessary and even foolish.

Understanding Apostolic Authority in the New Testament (Ligonier Ministries) offers the unique theological theme that apostolic authority is intrinsic and immediate, not conferred by the church or tradition. The sermon argues that the authority of Paul’s writings (and the New Testament generally) is derived from their apostolic origin, making them “Scripture from the outset.” This challenges the view that scriptural authority is a later ecclesiastical imposition and instead roots it in the divine commissioning of the apostles.

Standing Firm: The Call for Doctrinal Purity (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme that apostolic authority is inseparable from fidelity to the apostolic message, not from institutional succession or personal charisma. The sermon also develops the idea that the clarity and content of the gospel are accessible to all believers, not just ecclesiastical elites, and that every Christian has the responsibility to discern and uphold the true gospel.

Paul's Apostolic Authority and Divine Commissioning (Desiring God) presents the theme that apostolic authority is grounded in direct revelation from Christ and is the basis for the New Testament’s infallibility. The sermon uniquely argues that Paul’s writings are to be received as “God’s infallible word,” on par with the Old Testament Scriptures, and that the authority of the apostles is foundational for the church’s doctrine and life.

Upholding the Gospel Amidst Controversy and Distortion (Desiring God) adds the theme that desertion from the gospel is not merely intellectual error but a relational rupture with God Himself. The sermon also stresses the cognitive, propositional nature of the gospel, arguing that the gospel is a set of truth claims to be proclaimed and believed, not merely experienced or felt.

Understanding Apostleship: Authority, Partnership, and Humility (Desiring God) introduces the theme of “derivative authority,” where associates of an apostle (like Timothy and Silvanus) share in apostolic authority only by virtue of their partnership with the directly commissioned apostle, not by independent commissioning.

The Divine Authority and Role of Apostleship (Desiring God) develops the theme that apostolic authority is both foundational and unrepeatable, serving as the once-for-all basis for the church’s doctrine and unity. The sermon also highlights the humility of Paul, who claims apostleship not as a personal achievement but as an undeserved gift of grace.

Galatians 1:1 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Guarding the True Gospel of Grace (Hope on the Beach Church) provides detailed historical context about the region of Galatia, noting that Paul’s initial ministry there was prolonged due to illness, which led to the founding of multiple churches. The sermon explains the role of the Judaizers—Jewish teachers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law and additional human traditions (613 laws)—and how their influence led the Galatians to abandon the gospel of grace for legalism. The preacher also clarifies the cultural tension between Gentile converts and Jewish legalists, and how Paul’s background as a zealous Jew turned apostle to the Gentiles intensifies his emotional response.

Standing Firm in the True Gospel (David Guzik) situates Galatians as a circular letter to multiple churches in the region of Galatia (modern-day Turkey), not a single congregation. Guzik also references the ancient epistolary custom of naming the author first, and recipient second, as a way to help the audience immediately recognize the sender’s authority. He further notes the cultural context of pluralism and political correctness in both the ancient and modern worlds, drawing parallels between the Galatians’ temptation to accept “different gospels” and contemporary religious relativism.

Understanding Apostolic Authority in the New Testament (Ligonier Ministries) offers historical insight into the process of canon formation, challenging the misconception that the New Testament books were only later recognized as Scripture. The sermon explains that Paul’s explicit claims to apostolic authority in Galatians 1:1 and elsewhere were understood by his original audience as carrying the full weight of divine command, and that this immediate recognition shaped the early church’s reception of his letters as Scripture.

Standing Firm: The Call for Doctrinal Purity (Ligonier Ministries) provides historical context by referencing the likely early date of Galatians, the geographical setting in south-central Turkey, and the probable composition of the Galatian churches (Derbe, Lystra, etc.). The sermon also situates Paul’s letter within the context of early church controversies over the gospel, drawing parallels to later church history (e.g., the Reformation, debates over apostolic succession).

Upholding the Gospel Amidst Controversy and Distortion (Desiring God) echoes the Ligonier sermon by noting the early presence of heresy and controversy in the first-century church, challenging the notion that antiquity guarantees doctrinal purity. The sermon also references the historical context of the Galatian churches and the challenges to Paul’s authority and message.

Galatians 1:1 Cross-References in the Bible:

Guarding the True Gospel of Grace (Hope on the Beach Church) references several passages to support and expand on Galatians 1:1: Romans 3:20 (“by works of the law no human being will be justified”), Romans 6:1-4 (addressing the misuse of grace as a license to sin), Ephesians 2:8-9 (“by grace you have been saved through faith... not by works”), Acts 15:10-11 (the Jerusalem Council’s affirmation of salvation by grace for Gentiles), and Galatians 2:21 (salvation by works nullifies Christ’s death). The sermon uses these passages to reinforce the sufficiency of grace, the futility of legalism, and the non-negotiable authority of apostolic teaching.

Standing Firm in the True Gospel (David Guzik) cross-references 1 Corinthians 1:3-7 (Paul’s thanksgiving for the Corinthians despite their problems, contrasted with his lack of thanksgiving for the Galatians), 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (the core gospel: Christ died, was buried, and rose again), and John 3:16 (the giving of the Son). Guzik also alludes to Jesus’ words in John 14:6 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life...”), and the Garden of Gethsemane prayer (Matthew 26:39), to emphasize the exclusivity and necessity of Christ’s atonement.

Understanding Apostolic Authority in the New Testament (Ligonier Ministries) references Galatians 1:11 (“the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel, for I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ”), 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (“you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God”), 1 Thessalonians 4:8 (“whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God”), and 1 Corinthians 14:37 (“the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord”). The sermon also references 2 Peter 3:15-16 (Peter calling Paul’s letters “Scripture”), and draws parallels to the warnings in Revelation 22:18-19 about adding or taking away from Scripture.

Standing Firm: The Call for Doctrinal Purity (Ligonier Ministries) references several passages to support its interpretation of Galatians 1:1: John 17:20 (Jesus’ prayer for those who believe through the apostles’ message), Romans 10 (faith comes by hearing the message of Christ), Mark 9:42 (Jesus’ warning about leading others astray), James 3:1 (stricter judgment for teachers), and 2 Corinthians 11:14 (Satan masquerading as an angel of light). Each reference is used to reinforce the seriousness of apostolic teaching, the danger of false gospels, and the divine origin of Paul’s commission.

Paul's Apostolic Authority and Divine Commissioning (Desiring God) cross-references 2 Corinthians 8 (ordinary use of “apostolos”), Luke 6 (Jesus appoints the Twelve), John 14 and 16 (promise of the Spirit’s guidance to the apostles), 1 Corinthians 15 and 9 (Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ as the basis for his apostleship), 1 Corinthians 14 (Paul’s writings as commands of the Lord), and 2 Peter 3 (Peter recognizes Paul’s letters as Scripture). These references are marshaled to demonstrate the unique authority of the apostles and the scriptural status of Paul’s writings.

Upholding the Gospel Amidst Controversy and Distortion (Desiring God) references Mark 9:42 (Jesus’ warning about leading others astray), 2 Corinthians 11:14 (Satan as an angel of light), and the use of “anathema” in Galatians 1:8-9. The sermon also alludes to the broader biblical narrative of apostolic authority and the clarity of the gospel message.

Understanding Apostleship: Authority, Partnership, and Humility (Desiring God) references Luke 6 (appointment of the Twelve), Galatians 1:1 (Paul’s claim to divine commissioning), 1 Corinthians 9:1 (Paul’s vision of the risen Christ), 2 Corinthians 8 and Philippians 2 (ordinary use of “apostolos”), and Acts 14 (Barnabas as an apostle). These references are used to clarify the range of meanings of “apostle” and the unique status of Paul.

The Divine Authority and Role of Apostleship (Desiring God) references Mark 3 (appointment of the Twelve), Acts 1 (replacement of Judas), Galatians 1 and 2 (Paul’s commissioning and unity with the Jerusalem apostles), 1 Corinthians 15 and 9 (Paul’s vision of the risen Christ), 1 Corinthians 14 (Paul’s writings as commands of the Lord), 2 Peter 3 (Peter recognizes Paul’s letters as Scripture), Ephesians 2 (apostles and prophets as the foundation of the church), and Revelation 22 (the twelve apostles as the foundation of the New Jerusalem). These references are used to establish the unique, foundational authority of the apostles and the scriptural status of their writings.

Galatians 1:1 Christian References outside the Bible:

Standing Firm in the True Gospel (David Guzik) explicitly references Martin Luther, quoting and paraphrasing Luther’s commentary on Galatians. Guzik notes that Luther called Galatians “his wife” because of his deep attachment to the book, and shares Luther’s advice to use Galatians 1:4 and similar passages as spiritual weapons against Satan’s accusations, reminding believers that Christ gave himself for their sins and that this is the ultimate comfort against condemnation.

Standing Firm: The Call for Doctrinal Purity (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references a wide range of Christian authors and theologians in its discussion of Galatians 1:1 and the surrounding passage. Martin Luther is cited for his insistence on the necessity of “assertions” in the Christian faith and his famous response about preaching justification by faith “for the 20th time.” John Stott is quoted as saying that the devil disturbs the church as much by error as by evil. John Perkins is referenced for his critique of American evangelicalism’s loss of the gospel. The sermon also mentions R.C. Sproul, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, J.C. Ryle, D.L. Moody, and John Gill (with a story about Gill’s willingness to risk poverty for the sake of the gospel). These references are used to illustrate the enduring importance of doctrinal clarity, the dangers of false teaching, and the necessity of controversy for the sake of the gospel.

Upholding the Gospel Amidst Controversy and Distortion (Desiring God) references Martin Luther (his insistence on preaching justification repeatedly), John Stott (on the devil’s use of error), and John Perkins (on the loss of the gospel in American evangelicalism). The sermon also tells the story of John Gill’s willingness to risk financial loss for the sake of gospel fidelity. These references are used to reinforce the sermon's call for doctrinal vigilance and courage in the face of controversy.

Galatians 1:1 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Guarding the True Gospel of Grace (Hope on the Beach Church) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate Galatians 1:1 and its implications. The preacher compares Paul’s defense of the gospel to a soccer coach repeatedly drilling the fundamentals with his team, only to see them forget in the heat of the game—emphasizing the need to return to the “core” of the faith. He also uses a medical analogy: a doctor diagnosing a heart problem and prescribing surgery, paralleling the law’s role in revealing our need for grace and the gospel as the only true cure. Additionally, the preacher references “junk drawer theology,” likening the way people treat biblical truth to a household junk drawer filled with random, emotionally significant but non-authoritative items, warning against mixing cultural or personal preferences with the authority of Scripture.

Standing Firm in the True Gospel (David Guzik) employs the metaphor of rescue ships in a disaster at sea to illustrate the exclusivity of the true gospel. He imagines two rescue ships approaching survivors, but one is secretly loaded with dynamite and will never reach the destination. The analogy drives home the point that not all “gospels” are equally safe or effective—only the true gospel of Christ can save, and to trust in another is to face ultimate destruction. Guzik also references the cultural phenomenon of “John 3:16 season” at football games, using it to highlight the centrality of Christ’s self-giving in the gospel message.

Standing Firm: The Call for Doctrinal Purity (Ligonier Ministries) draws on a variety of secular sources to illustrate the theme of controversy and doctrinal fidelity. The sermon references the Leipzig debate between Martin Luther and Johann Eck, the University of Paris’s ten principles for scriptural interpretation, and a host of historical figures’ comments on controversy, including Cicero, Jonathan Swift, George Washington, Oscar Wilde, and Elbert Hubbard. The sermon also mentions a PBS special’s portrayal of Jesus’ death as a mere historical accident, and an “inspirational calendar” with a sentimental definition of love, to contrast with the biblical message. Additionally, the sermon uses the analogy of a “blocked emergency exit” and “elevator to hell” to describe the danger of a church confused about the gospel, and references the “Positive Bible” (a real publication that omits negative passages) as an example of cultural attempts to sanitize Scripture.

Upholding the Gospel Amidst Controversy and Distortion (Desiring God) references the Leipzig debate and the University of Paris’s ten principles, as well as the “Positive Bible” (a Bible that omits negative passages) and a story about being in mortal danger (such as on an airplane or as a crime victim) to illustrate the urgency of the gospel’s rescue. The sermon also uses the analogy of a “blind Uber driver,” “forgetful historian,” and “colorblind artist” to describe a church confused about the gospel, and references the Beatles in a humorous aside about needing more time to explore the implications of congregational responsibility.