.

To understand the various epistles, it is necessary to understand who they are written to and understand a little something about the subject and the time.

The book of Galatians was written to the people of the city of Galatia. And these people were mainly Gentiles who knew nothing about the things of God until they were converted. It was also written to certain Jews who lived among these Gentiles. And these Jews wanted the Galatians to be circumcised in order to be integrated into the Judaic or Mosaic community.

Paul was writing on the subject of circumcision to point out the meaning of circumcision, and to point out the differences between the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant regarding the subject of circumcision.

The book of Galatians

Paul, an apostle, not called of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him, that is, Christ from the dead.

Paul here is saying that he is not appointed to serve [ordained] by any man, but was called directly by the Father and by Jesus Christ. He was not ordained by any man.

Those who talk about apostolic succession, who talk about apostles or popes ordaining their successors, or a choice of a successor to an apostle should listen to Paul here. He says, he was not ordained or called or chosen by any man but was called directly by God and Jesus Christ.

Now of course if God should COMMAND a man to ordain a specific person for a specific responsibility or as their successor God should be obeyed. A major question is who should be ordained and the answer is that no man should be ordained until and unless God makes it very clear that the person is God’s choice; at that point ordaining is only an acceptance of what God has already decided.

People should only be ordained according to God’s criteria or his specific revealed command. No one should be ordained because of a college or seminary education, nor any person who is not of full age and well experienced in life; having been married and raised up children BEFORE any ordination.

Verse 2: And all the brethren which are with me unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father, that is, the will of the one who is God, and who is God the Father. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.

Paul is amazed that they [we] are turning from the grace of Christ to another gospel.

But this is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again; if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

Paul is pronouncing a curse on anyone who is changing the doctrines that were originally preached by Paul to these people. He’s saying, I told you the truth. Therefore, let anyone who is perverting that truth be accursed.

Verse 10: For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Paul says, I am not trying to please you people. I am not trying to please either the Jews among you or the Gentiles. I am pleasing Christ. I am a servant of Christ. And what I’m telling you is the truth of Christ and is not for the benefit of a particular group, either Jew or Gentile. It is the truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel, which was preached of me is not after man. But I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul is clearly saying that these things were revealed directly to him from Jesus Christ. Through inspiration or direct teaching, one can argue that, but the point is he was not taught these things by Peter or James or John or any of the other apostles or disciples. He understood these things through the direct inspiration and teaching of Jesus Christ.

Those who accept the Primacy of Peter, heresy, the doctrine that Peter was the chief apostle, and that God only works through one man from the top down, he only works through Peter, should ask themselves why Christ did not do this with Paul. Why he directly inspired Paul, and taught Paul these things, and why these things did not come through Peter. I think that’s a valid question for those who stand by the Primacy of Peter teaching.

Verse 13: For you have heard of my conversation or conduct in past time in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. For when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.

Paul here is trying to appeal to the Jews amongst the Galatians. And telling them how very zealous he was for the Mosaic covenant and for the religion of his people, the religion of the Pharisees. He was saying, I was very zealous for these things. I know the,. I understand them; and I know where you guys are coming from. But when I was struck down in the flesh, I immediately conferred, not with flesh and blood, but with the spiritual Jesus Christ.

Christ appeared to him in the form of a spirit. He was in fact a spirit after his resurrection, he became a spirit and he appeared to Paul. So, Paul was not then conversing with flesh and blood, with human beings, but with the real Jesus Christ.

He did not receive this inspiration or this understanding or this knowledge from Peter or any of the other apostles. He received it directly from Jesus Christ.

He goes on: Neither went I up to Jerusalem unto those, which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul was struck down, as we know in the book of Acts, he went to Damascus where he received his sight back. After a time, he went to Arabia and then he returned to Damascus.

And then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and abode with him 15 days.

Now, I am not certain whether this man was three years in Damascus, after returning from Arabia; or whether it was three years from the time he was struck down. But in either case, it was a period of at least three years from the time that Christ appeared to him before he went to Jerusalem to see Peter and stayed with Peter 15 days.

Paul is saying here, that he did not even speak to Peter till at least three years after he saw Christ. And he did not speak to the other apostles during that time either.

verse 19: But others of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord’s brother. Now, the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie. And after I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

After three years, Paul spent 15 days with Peter and visited with James and then left Judea and went to Syria and Cilicia. And he was unknown in personal appearance or by his face to the churches; that is, the people of the church in Judea which were in Christ.

Paul had nothing to do with any of the other apostles; except Peter and James. And that only after he was taught by Christ in the wilderness for three full years. Paul is emphasizing to the Jews and to the Gentiles in Galatia that he was taught by Christ, that he was inspired and taught by Christ directly, and was not taught through Peter, or James, or John, or anybody else.

That says a lot about this idea that Peter was the chief apostle, and that God only works through one man. That is simply not true. It is a lie. God works through whomever he wants, whenever he wants, wherever he wants and in whatever way he wants.

Verse 23: But they that had heard only, That he which persecuted us in past times now preaches the faith which once he attacked and destroyed. And they glorified God because of me or in me. Then, 14 years after that, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

So, at least 3 years and then 15 days in Jerusalem and then 14 years later, he goes back to Jerusalem.

Chapter 2: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto the people there the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Paul is saying three years in the wilderness, 15 days in Jerusalem, then 14 years later going back to Jerusalem, he sought out and communicated in private with the leaders of the people of reputation to see whether they were on the same page and whether they were teaching the same things. So, that he could determine whether he had run or taught things in vain.

I certainly do not mean to imply that Paul went to them for any permissions or corrections from them; rather I mean to say that this was an exchange of information about what he was doing and what these men were doing in Jerusalem, as well as a discussion of spiritual matters in an “iron sharpens iron” discussion, as any group of believers should have occasionally.

As these men of Jerusalem needed to learn a few things still, even after living with Christ through his ministry, so Paul many have benefited from them to a degree. That does NOT mean or imply any kind of subordinate role by anyone. In fact every0ne would mutually benefit from such an exchange of information.

verse 3: But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, that is, the people in Jerusalem said this Greek fellow here should be circumcised in the flesh to be considered converted. And they said that, because of false brethren unawares brought in, who secretly came in to privily or secretly spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour. We did not submit to these people.

That the truth of the gospel might continue with you. We did not submit to these people because we want to set an example for you Galatians and for all the people.

Verse 6: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, whatsoever they were, it makes no matter to me, it means nothing to me for God does not accept any man’s person.

And we should remember that. Those people in the church, should remember that God accepts no man’s person. What matters is not what these people say, what matters is whether what they say is consistent with the word of God. And Paul was saying that same thing here; about Peter and about the apostles and disciples in Jerusalem. He said, it makes no matter to me, for God accepts no man’s person above another. If a man is wrong God will correct him no matter WHO he thinks he is. We are ALL held to the same standard; the Word and Law of God.

For they that seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision or the Gentiles was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision or the Jews was committed to Peter; For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision or of the Jews, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.

That is, Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit was doing a great work in Peter to and among the Jews; and the same Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was doing a mighty work in Paul toward the Gentiles. Christ also did a work in India by Thomas and in other places through other men. Each man had his assignment and although they tried to communicate to make sure that they were on the same page spiritually and had not drifted; each was answerable to Jesus Christ who was the Chief Apostle. The Chief Apostle of our salvation is Jesus Christ and NOT any man!

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him [faithful to the Father]

And when James, and Cephas, [Peter], and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Notice here that Peter and James and John were not jealous. And they didn’t say, oh no God only works through us. They said, it looks like God is doing something in you and we are giving you the hands of friendship and we are saying that we support you and will help you and cooperate with you and let’s work together. We are not jealous, and we are not egocentric. God does not work through just us. He’s obviously working through you also; and they rejoiced to see the wonderful things that Christ was doing in also sending some to the gentiles..

Verse 10: Only that they wanted that we should remember the poor; the same thing which I also was forward to do. But when Peter was come to Antioch, there I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed and to be resisted. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come from James, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision or of the Jews.

Did you get that? Did you hear that? You people who are into the Primacy of Peter, you people who think God works through one man and that man has the right to do whatever he wants, Paul resisted God’s apostle Peter.

Paul withstood him to his face! Paul said, you are wrong sir and what you are doing is wrong. There are a few people who call themselves the Peter today.

Would David Pack put up with such treatment? I doubt it. Would others, would Herbert Armstrong have put up with that? I doubt it.

No, Peter was not the chief apostle. They were all working together and they were all inspired by God. God is building a tremendous building, a temple which is his church. He is the builder, not any man.

And he has many tools, and the various apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, and so on; are only tools in the hands of God. They need to acknowledge that and to acknowledge God’s authority over them and to acknowledge that Almighty God can use whatever tool he wants to; in whatever way he wants.

Yes, Paul withstood Peter because certain disciples from the Jews came to Antioch. And immediately Peter said, well, I better be more careful here about what I do with these Gentiles, because I might offend these Jews. And Paul withstood him for that kind of duplicity.

Let’s understand what’s actually going on here. Under the Mosaic covenant, the Jews would not have anything to do with the Gentiles. because the Gentiles would render them unclean in some way being uncircumcised. In Judea at this time, Gentiles were not invited into a Jewish home. A Jew did not go into a Gentile’s home. They did not associate with one another in any way.

The only way that there could be an association is if a Gentile was circumcised and committed himself to the Mosaic covenant, committed himself to the commandments. In that case, this Gentile was grafted into Israel. He became a Jew, and no longer was considered a Gentile. He was grafted in.

We can find this commandment in the book of

Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

The fact is, the Jews did not associate with physically uncircumcised Gentiles. And yet Peter was associating with Gentiles UNTIL some Jewish visitors came up to Antioch from Jerusalem and Peter said, well, I better not associate with these Gentiles anymore because I’ll offend the Jewish brethren.

Verse 13: And the other Jews which were among us dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their dissimulation.

And they all got all upset about associating with uncircumcised Gentiles and they begin to separate themselves from the Gentile converts, to separate from the Gentile Christians because they had not been circumcised according to the Mosaic covenant.

But when I, that is Paul; saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles.

That is, you’re not so concerned with all of these Jewish traditions like fasting on certain days of the week and so on, which were traditions of the Pharisees. And if you’re not concerned about the traditions of the Pharisees anymore, and you live similarly to the Gentiles, and you do not live as do the Jews or the Pharisees, according to the traditions, why compellest you the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

We who are Jews by nature [being converted into spiritual Jews], and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, that is, by the deeds and traditions of men but is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Paul here is speaking about becoming justified before God. And he is saying that no flesh or no person can be justified before God by their deeds. That is because ALL have sinned at some point and even if we keep the law perfectly after that, we must still pay for that sin. N o amount of future law abiding can atone for past sin.

For example if you murder someone and then live perfectly for many years; you are still a murderer.

We can keep all kinds of traditions and fast three days week and avoid associating with physically uncircumcised yet converted Gentiles, which is the subject here actually. And that is not going to justify anyone. People can only be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, by accepting Christ sacrifice for their sins.

Simply because no matter how perfectly the law is kept, it still does not atone for past sin.

We can wake up today, and say we’re going to be perfect from here on out forever. But that doesn’t pay for previous sins. To have those sins paid for, to have an atonement made between us and God, that comes only through repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

So, Paul is saying, you can’t be justified, you can’t be made right with God by your actions. You can only be made right with God by having the sacrifice of Jesus Christ applied to you. That sacrifice is only APPLIEFD to the REPENTANT who STOP sinning; but it is the added atonement for our past sins which justifies and purifies us.

After that, you go forward; avoiding sin and keeping the commandments. But keeping the commandments does not justify you. It is sacrifice of Christ which justifies you and makes you right with God and atones for past sins.

Verse 17: But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, that is, if we continue in sin, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Once we are justified by faith in the sacrifice of Christ, we are not to continue in sin as Paul said, God forbid.

Verse 18: For if I build again the things, which I destroyed, that is, my sinful nature, I make myself a transgressor.

If I have destroyed my sinful nature, and then being justified by my faith in the sacrifice of Christ; and then I go out and continue the sin, I am still a transgressor.

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. Verse 20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live.

He’s saying his old man, his old sinful man is now dead in the waters repentance and of baptism. And he is now going to live; in the future, in Christ. So, as Christ was crucified for our sins, if that sacrifice is applied to us our old sinful self is also destroyed. The crucifixion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for sin.

Our faith in Christ and his sacrifice atones for that sin. And that sinful man, that sinful nature is dead and gone, and we rise up new persons in Christ. And Jesus Christ can then dwell in us through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, and when he [Christ] is dwelling in us, he will do the things he has always done within us, that is, he will keep the Father’s commandments and we will keep the Father’s commandments as we are led by the spirit of Christ.

God’s spirit is not divided against God. God’s spirit is the spirit and nature of God. God is not divided against himself. He keeps his own commandments. Christ says, “I have kept my Father’s commandments” and the Holy Spirit of God will empower us and lead us to also keep God’s commandments; to turn away from sin.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ death is in vain.

That is, if we have sinned, and we could stop sinning by and on our own volition and be perfect from this point onward: What about past sins?

You see, keeping the law from this point forward does not atone for past law breaking. Only the sacrifice of Jesus Christ can atone for past law breaking. And then, the Holy Spirit is given to us, and empowers us to go forward, keeping God’s commandments.

Chapter 3: O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit by the works of the law, by keeping the commandments, or by the hearing of faith?

Did you receive the Holy Spirit, by now starting to keep the commandments or did the penalty for sin have to be paid, so that you could be reconciled to God first?

It your repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, which reconciled you to the Father and permitted the Father to give you his spirit, which then brings you into a relationship with the Father, so that he may give you his spirit.

Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the acts of the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. He, theretofore, or he, therefore, that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

The subject of the book of Galatians; was the problem that some Jewish converts had with associating with some Gentile converts who had not been circumcised in the flesh and were not following certain Pharisaical traditions.

That is the subject. And Paul seems to go off on a slight tangent and he starts talking about being saved by faith, and being forgiven through the atoning sacrifice of Christ and living by faith in Christ, and being able then to keep the commandments to the indwelling of Christ.

In fact Paul is explaining the difference between keeping the commandments and the need for an atonement for past commandment breaking.

Paul is also explaining the difference between physical and spiritual circumcision. As those in the Mosaic Covenant which is a physical covenant with no spiritual promise MUST be circumcised in the flesh; those entering a New [ and Spiritual] Covenant MUST be circumcised of the heart,.

Paul is making the point that the people who do what Abraham did, having his faith and obedience to God; are Abraham’s children. Know you not therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

So, Paul is telling these Jews here that it is not just they who are the children of Abraham, but it is everyone who has repented and had the atoning sacrifice of Christ applied to them. Everyone who is filled with God’s spirit, everyone who is filled with faith in God, all of them, both Jew and Gentile, are people of faith and are the children of Abraham.

He explains that it is not those who are the physical descendants of Abraham; but those who do what he taught and who do what he did as our example; those who are like Abraham in faith, words and deeds who are truly Abraham’s children. Physical descent means nothing if we reject the reality of what the man was all about.

In Hebrews 12:8 Paul explains that those who will not endure correction are not truly son’s at all but bastards. Why does any father correct his children? Why, to mold their behavior into what HE wants it to be; to cause the child to act as the father would have him act. Therefore if we will not do what Abraham did, he is not truly our father in a spiritual sense; and if we do not what our Father in heaven commands; then he is NOT our Father in the spiritual sense.

Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

If we become the children of our Father in heaven, being conciled to him in faith; and turn away from all sin to keep all of God’s commandments; we also become conciled to Abraham and become heirs of the promises made to him.

I am getting a little ahead here:

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul is trying to heal the rift here between certain Jews and certain Gentiles in saying that; if you have faith in God and in Christ and keep all of his commandments as Abraham did; and are circumcised in heart: You ARE the children of Abraham.

Circumcision of the flesh has a fault, which is that those circumcised in the flesh would still not obey their father Abraham nor their father in heaven; therefore circumcision of the flesh was replaced by a much better circumcision; A circumcision of the heart through the sacrifice of Christ which atoned for sin, removing the barrier of sin [foreskin of our heart] which comes between us and the Father.

The foreskin of our hearts that must be removed; is our sins!

Is 59:1 1Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Those sins are removed by our repentance and our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God; which then conciles us to the Father and makes us the seed of Abraham in a spiritual sense.

It is the circumcision of the heart [the removal of sin by the application of the sacrifice of Christ] which makes us Abraham’s seed, not the circumcision of the flesh; which does not remove sin, nor does it make us truly spiritual sons of Abraham, or our Father in heaven.

Verse 8: And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So, then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Those who repent and turn away from rebellion against the Father; who STOP sinning: Will then have the sacrifice applied to them!

Our faith in Christ; which is a living faith of repentance from evil works, becoming obedient to the Father, as Christ was obedient to the Father: shall result in the application of Christ’s atoning sacrifice to us. And being justified by that sacrifice will be conciled to the Father in heaven.

Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Justified by the application of Christ’s sacrifice! The unrepentant sinner, will NOT have the sacrifice of Christ applied to him/her.

The true circumcision is spiritual, of the heart and spirit and not of the flesh. Circumcision of the flesh profits NOTHING unless we are circumcised of the heart; through repentance and the application of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Cut off as much of the flesh as you want; and it is NOTHING unless we do the deeds of Abraham and have his faith to trust and obey Almighty God!

Circumcision of the flesh was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant and when that Covenant passed away; because of its weakness: It was replaced with a New and better Covenant, a spiritual Covenant. The sign of the New Covenant is the circumcision of the heart: Which is repentance from rebellion and sin, a commitment to obey the Father and the application of the atoning sacrifice of Christ! This circumcised our hearts and reconciles us to the Father by removing that barrier that exists between us and the Father; which is our rebellion and sin!

This message about circumcision is an explanation of the process of salvation!

To understand the various epistles, it is necessary to understand who they are written to and understand a little something about the subject and the time.

The book of Galatians was written to the people of the city of Galatia. And these people were mainly Gentiles who knew nothing about the things of God until they were converted. It was also written to certain Jews who lived among these Gentiles. And these Jews wanted the Galatians to be circumcised in order to be integrated into the Judaic or Mosaic community.

Paul was writing on the subject of circumcision to point out the meaning of circumcision, and to point out the differences between the Mosaic Covenant, and the New Covenant regarding the subject of circumcision.

The book of Galatians

Paul, an apostle, not called of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him, that is, Christ from the dead.

Paul here is saying that he is not appointed to serve [ordained] by any man, but was called directly by the Father and by Jesus Christ. He was not ordained by any man.

Those who talk about apostolic succession, who talk about apostles or popes ordaining their successors, or a choice of a successor to an apostle should listen to Paul here. He says, he was not ordained or called or chosen by any man but was called directly by God and Jesus Christ.

Now of course if God should COMMAND a man to ordain a specific person for a specific responsibility or as their successor God should be obeyed. A major question is who should be ordained and the answer is that no man should be ordained until and unless God makes it very clear that the person is God’s choice; at that point ordaining is only an acceptance of what God has already decided.

People should only be ordained according to God’s criteria or his specific revealed command. No one should be ordained because of a college or seminary education, nor any person who is not of full age and well experienced in life; having been married and raised up children BEFORE any ordination.

Verse 2: And all the brethren which are with me unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father, that is, the will of the one who is God, and who is God the Father. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.

Paul is amazed that they [we] are turning from the grace of Christ to another gospel.

But this is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again; if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

Paul is pronouncing a curse on anyone who is changing the doctrines that were originally preached by Paul to these people. He’s saying, I told you the truth. Therefore, let anyone who is perverting that truth be accursed.

Verse 10: For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Paul says, I am not trying to please you people. I am not trying to please either the Jews among you or the Gentiles. I am pleasing Christ. I am a servant of Christ. And what I’m telling you is the truth of Christ and is not for the benefit of a particular group, either Jew or Gentile. It is the truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel, which was preached of me is not after man. But I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul is clearly saying that these things were revealed directly to him from Jesus Christ. Through inspiration or direct teaching, one can argue that, but the point is he was not taught these things by Peter or James or John or any of the other apostles or disciples. He understood these things through the direct inspiration and teaching of Jesus Christ.

Those who accept the Primacy of Peter, heresy, the doctrine that Peter was the chief apostle, and that God only works through one man from the top down, he only works through Peter, should ask themselves why Christ did not do this with Paul. Why he directly inspired Paul, and taught Paul these things, and why these things did not come through Peter. I think that’s a valid question for those who stand by the Primacy of Peter teaching.

Verse 13: For you have heard of my conversation or conduct in past time in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. For when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.

Paul here is trying to appeal to the Jews amongst the Galatians. And telling them how very zealous he was for the Mosaic covenant and for the religion of his people, the religion of the Pharisees. He was saying, I was very zealous for these things. I know the,. I understand them; and I know where you guys are coming from. But when I was struck down in the flesh, I immediately conferred, not with flesh and blood, but with the spiritual Jesus Christ.

Christ appeared to him in the form of a spirit. He was in fact a spirit after his resurrection, he became a spirit and he appeared to Paul. So, Paul was not then conversing with flesh and blood, with human beings, but with the real Jesus Christ.

He did not receive this inspiration or this understanding or this knowledge from Peter or any of the other apostles. He received it directly from Jesus Christ.

He goes on: Neither went I up to Jerusalem unto those, which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Paul was struck down, as we know in the book of Acts, he went to Damascus where he received his sight back. After a time, he went to Arabia and then he returned to Damascus.

And then, after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and abode with him 15 days.

Now, I am not certain whether this man was three years in Damascus, after returning from Arabia; or whether it was three years from the time he was struck down. But in either case, it was a period of at least three years from the time that Christ appeared to him before he went to Jerusalem to see Peter and stayed with Peter 15 days.

Paul is saying here, that he did not even speak to Peter till at least three years after he saw Christ. And he did not speak to the other apostles during that time either.

verse 19: But others of the apostles saw I none, except James the Lord’s brother. Now, the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie. And after I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

After three years, Paul spent 15 days with Peter and visited with James and then left Judea and went to Syria and Cilicia. And he was unknown in personal appearance or by his face to the churches; that is, the people of the church in Judea which were in Christ.

Paul had nothing to do with any of the other apostles; except Peter and James. And that only after he was taught by Christ in the wilderness for three full years. Paul is emphasizing to the Jews and to the Gentiles in Galatia that he was taught by Christ, that he was inspired and taught by Christ directly, and was not taught through Peter, or James, or John, or anybody else.

That says a lot about this idea that Peter was the chief apostle, and that God only works through one man. That is simply not true. It is a lie. God works through whomever he wants, whenever he wants, wherever he wants and in whatever way he wants.

Verse 23: But they that had heard only, That he which persecuted us in past times now preaches the faith which once he attacked and destroyed. And they glorified God because of me or in me. Then, 14 years after that, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

So, at least 3 years and then 15 days in Jerusalem and then 14 years later, he goes back to Jerusalem.

Chapter 2: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto the people there the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Paul is saying three years in the wilderness, 15 days in Jerusalem, then 14 years later going back to Jerusalem, he sought out and communicated in private with the leaders of the people of reputation to see whether they were on the same page and whether they were teaching the same things. So, that he could determine whether he had run or taught things in vain.

I certainly do not mean to imply that Paul went to them for any permissions or corrections from them; rather I mean to say that this was an exchange of information about what he was doing and what these men were doing in Jerusalem, as well as a discussion of spiritual matters in an “iron sharpens iron” discussion, as any group of believers should have occasionally.

As these men of Jerusalem needed to learn a few things still, even after living with Christ through his ministry, so Paul many have benefited from them to a degree. That does NOT mean or imply any kind of subordinate role by anyone. In fact every0ne would mutually benefit from such an exchange of information.

verse 3: But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, that is, the people in Jerusalem said this Greek fellow here should be circumcised in the flesh to be considered converted. And they said that, because of false brethren unawares brought in, who secretly came in to privily or secretly spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour. We did not submit to these people.

That the truth of the gospel might continue with you. We did not submit to these people because we want to set an example for you Galatians and for all the people.

Verse 6: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, whatsoever they were, it makes no matter to me, it means nothing to me for God does not accept any man’s person.

And we should remember that. Those people in the church, should remember that God accepts no man’s person. What matters is not what these people say, what matters is whether what they say is consistent with the word of God. And Paul was saying that same thing here; about Peter and about the apostles and disciples in Jerusalem. He said, it makes no matter to me, for God accepts no man’s person above another. If a man is wrong God will correct him no matter WHO he thinks he is. We are ALL held to the same standard; the Word and Law of God.

For they that seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision or the Gentiles was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision or the Jews was committed to Peter; For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision or of the Jews, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.

That is, Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit was doing a great work in Peter to and among the Jews; and the same Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was doing a mighty work in Paul toward the Gentiles. Christ also did a work in India by Thomas and in other places through other men. Each man had his assignment and although they tried to communicate to make sure that they were on the same page spiritually and had not drifted; each was answerable to Jesus Christ who was the Chief Apostle. The Chief Apostle of our salvation is Jesus Christ and NOT any man!

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2Who was faithful to him that appointed him [faithful to the Father]

And when James, and Cephas, [Peter], and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Notice here that Peter and James and John were not jealous. And they didn’t say, oh no God only works through us. They said, it looks like God is doing something in you and we are giving you the hands of friendship and we are saying that we support you and will help you and cooperate with you and let’s work together. We are not jealous, and we are not egocentric. God does not work through just us. He’s obviously working through you also; and they rejoiced to see the wonderful things that Christ was doing in also sending some to the gentiles..

Verse 10: Only that they wanted that we should remember the poor; the same thing which I also was forward to do. But when Peter was come to Antioch, there I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed and to be resisted. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come from James, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision or of the Jews.

Did you get that? Did you hear that? You people who are into the Primacy of Peter, you people who think God works through one man and that man has the right to do whatever he wants, Paul resisted God’s apostle Peter.

Paul withstood him to his face! Paul said, you are wrong sir and what you are doing is wrong. There are a few people who call themselves the Peter today.

Would David Pack put up with such treatment? I doubt it. Would others, would Herbert Armstrong have put up with that? I doubt it.

No, Peter was not the chief apostle. They were all working together and they were all inspired by God. God is building a tremendous building, a temple which is his church. He is the builder, not any man.

And he has many tools, and the various apostles, and prophets, and evangelists, and so on; are only tools in the hands of God. They need to acknowledge that and to acknowledge God’s authority over them and to acknowledge that Almighty God can use whatever tool he wants to; in whatever way he wants.

Yes, Paul withstood Peter because certain disciples from the Jews came to Antioch. And immediately Peter said, well, I better be more careful here about what I do with these Gentiles, because I might offend these Jews. And Paul withstood him for that kind of duplicity.

Let’s understand what’s actually going on here. Under the Mosaic covenant, the Jews would not have anything to do with the Gentiles. because the Gentiles would render them unclean in some way being uncircumcised. In Judea at this time, Gentiles were not invited into a Jewish home. A Jew did not go into a Gentile’s home. They did not associate with one another in any way.

The only way that there could be an association is if a Gentile was circumcised and committed himself to the Mosaic covenant, committed himself to the commandments. In that case, this Gentile was grafted into Israel. He became a Jew, and no longer was considered a Gentile. He was grafted in.

We can find this commandment in the book of

Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

The fact is, the Jews did not associate with physically uncircumcised Gentiles. And yet Peter was associating with Gentiles UNTIL some Jewish visitors came up to Antioch from Jerusalem and Peter said, well, I better not associate with these Gentiles anymore because I’ll offend the Jewish brethren.

Verse 13: And the other Jews which were among us dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their dissimulation.

And they all got all upset about associating with uncircumcised Gentiles and they begin to separate themselves from the Gentile converts, to separate from the Gentile Christians because they had not been circumcised according to the Mosaic covenant.

But when I, that is Paul; saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles.

That is, you’re not so concerned with all of these Jewish traditions like fasting on certain days of the week and so on, which were traditions of the Pharisees. And if you’re not concerned about the traditions of the Pharisees anymore, and you live similarly to the Gentiles, and you do not live as do the Jews or the Pharisees, according to the traditions, why compellest you the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

We who are Jews by nature [being converted into spiritual Jews], and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, that is, by the deeds and traditions of men but is justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Paul here is speaking about becoming justified before God. And he is saying that no flesh or no person can be justified before God by their deeds. That is because ALL have sinned at some point and even if we keep the law perfectly after that, we must still pay for that sin. N o amount of future law abiding can atone for past sin.

For example if you murder someone and then live perfectly for many years; you are still a murderer.

We can keep all kinds of traditions and fast three days week and avoid associating with physically uncircumcised yet converted Gentiles, which is the subject here actually. And that is not going to justify anyone. People can only be justified by faith in Jesus Christ, by accepting Christ sacrifice for their sins.

Simply because no matter how perfectly the law is kept, it still does not atone for past sin.

We can wake up today, and say we’re going to be perfect from here on out forever. But that doesn’t pay for previous sins. To have those sins paid for, to have an atonement made between us and God, that comes only through repentance and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

So, Paul is saying, you can’t be justified, you can’t be made right with God by your actions. You can only be made right with God by having the sacrifice of Jesus Christ applied to you. That sacrifice is only APPLIEFD to the REPENTANT who STOP sinning; but it is the added atonement for our past sins which justifies and purifies us.

After that, you go forward; avoiding sin and keeping the commandments. But keeping the commandments does not justify you. It is sacrifice of Christ which justifies you and makes you right with God and atones for past sins.

Verse 17: But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, that is, if we continue in sin, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

Once we are justified by faith in the sacrifice of Christ, we are not to continue in sin as Paul said, God forbid.

Verse 18: For if I build again the things, which I destroyed, that is, my sinful nature, I make myself a transgressor.

If I have destroyed my sinful nature, and then being justified by my faith in the sacrifice of Christ; and then I go out and continue the sin, I am still a transgressor.

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. Verse 20: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live.

He’s saying his old man, his old sinful man is now dead in the waters repentance and of baptism. And he is now going to live; in the future, in Christ. So, as Christ was crucified for our sins, if that sacrifice is applied to us our old sinful self is also destroyed. The crucifixion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for sin.

Our faith in Christ and his sacrifice atones for that sin. And that sinful man, that sinful nature is dead and gone, and we rise up new persons in Christ. And Jesus Christ can then dwell in us through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, and when he [Christ] is dwelling in us, he will do the things he has always done within us, that is, he will keep the Father’s commandments and we will keep the Father’s commandments as we are led by the spirit of Christ.

God’s spirit is not divided against God. God’s spirit is the spirit and nature of God. God is not divided against himself. He keeps his own commandments. Christ says, “I have kept my Father’s commandments” and the Holy Spirit of God will empower us and lead us to also keep God’s commandments; to turn away from sin.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ death is in vain.

That is, if we have sinned, and we could stop sinning by and on our own volition and be perfect from this point onward: What about past sins?

You see, keeping the law from this point forward does not atone for past law breaking. Only the sacrifice of Jesus Christ can atone for past law breaking. And then, the Holy Spirit is given to us, and empowers us to go forward, keeping God’s commandments.

Chapter 3: O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit, that is the Holy Spirit by the works of the law, by keeping the commandments, or by the hearing of faith?

Did you receive the Holy Spirit, by now starting to keep the commandments or did the penalty for sin have to be paid, so that you could be reconciled to God first?

It your repentance and faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, which reconciled you to the Father and permitted the Father to give you his spirit, which then brings you into a relationship with the Father, so that he may give you his spirit.

Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the acts of the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. He, theretofore, or he, therefore, that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

The subject of the book of Galatians; was the problem that some Jewish converts had with associating with some Gentile converts who had not been circumcised in the flesh and were not following certain Pharisaical traditions.

That is the subject. And Paul seems to go off on a slight tangent and he starts talking about being saved by faith, and being forgiven through the atoning sacrifice of Christ and living by faith in Christ, and being able then to keep the commandments to the indwelling of Christ.

In fact Paul is explaining the difference between keeping the commandments and the need for an atonement for past commandment breaking.

Paul is also explaining the difference between physical and spiritual circumcision. As those in the Mosaic Covenant which is a physical covenant with no spiritual promise MUST be circumcised in the flesh; those entering a New [ and Spiritual] Covenant MUST be circumcised of the heart,.

Paul is making the point that the people who do what Abraham did, having his faith and obedience to God; are Abraham’s children. Know you not therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

So, Paul is telling these Jews here that it is not just they who are the children of Abraham, but it is everyone who has repented and had the atoning sacrifice of Christ applied to them. Everyone who is filled with God’s spirit, everyone who is filled with faith in God, all of them, both Jew and Gentile, are people of faith and are the children of Abraham.

He explains that it is not those who are the physical descendants of Abraham; but those who do what he taught and who do what he did as our example; those who are like Abraham in faith, words and deeds who are truly Abraham’s children. Physical descent means nothing if we reject the reality of what the man was all about.

In Hebrews 12:8 Paul explains that those who will not endure correction are not truly son’s at all but bastards. Why does any father correct his children? Why, to mold their behavior into what HE wants it to be; to cause the child to act as the father would have him act. Therefore if we will not do what Abraham did, he is not truly our father in a spiritual sense; and if we do not what our Father in heaven commands; then he is NOT our Father in the spiritual sense.

Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

If we become the children of our Father in heaven, being conciled to him in faith; and turn away from all sin to keep all of God’s commandments; we also become conciled to Abraham and become heirs of the promises made to him.

I am getting a little ahead here:

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul is trying to heal the rift here between certain Jews and certain Gentiles in saying that; if you have faith in God and in Christ and keep all of his commandments as Abraham did; and are circumcised in heart: You ARE the children of Abraham.

Circumcision of the flesh has a fault, which is that those circumcised in the flesh would still not obey their father Abraham nor their father in heaven; therefore circumcision of the flesh was replaced by a much better circumcision; A circumcision of the heart through the sacrifice of Christ which atoned for sin, removing the barrier of sin [foreskin of our heart] which comes between us and the Father.

The foreskin of our hearts that must be removed; is our sins!

Is 59:1 1Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Those sins are removed by our repentance and our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God; which then conciles us to the Father and makes us the seed of Abraham in a spiritual sense.

It is the circumcision of the heart [the removal of sin by the application of the sacrifice of Christ] which makes us Abraham’s seed, not the circumcision of the flesh; which does not remove sin, nor does it make us truly spiritual sons of Abraham, or our Father in heaven.

Verse 8: And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So, then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Those who repent and turn away from rebellion against the Father; who STOP sinning: Will then have the sacrifice applied to them!

Our faith in Christ; which is a living faith of repentance from evil works, becoming obedient to the Father, as Christ was obedient to the Father: shall result in the application of Christ’s atoning sacrifice to us. And being justified by that sacrifice will be conciled to the Father in heaven.

Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Justified by the application of Christ’s sacrifice! The unrepentant sinner, will NOT have the sacrifice of Christ applied to him/her.

The true circumcision is spiritual, of the heart and spirit and not of the flesh. Circumcision of the flesh profits NOTHING unless we are circumcised of the heart; through repentance and the application of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Cut off as much of the flesh as you want; and it is NOTHING unless we do the deeds of Abraham and have his faith to trust and obey Almighty God!

Circumcision of the flesh was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant and when that Covenant passed away; because of its weakness: It was replaced with a New and better Covenant, a spiritual Covenant. The sign of the New Covenant is the circumcision of the heart: Which is repentance from rebellion and sin, a commitment to obey the Father and the application of the atoning sacrifice of Christ! This circumcised our hearts and reconciles us to the Father by removing that barrier that exists between us and the Father; which is our rebellion and sin!

This message about circumcision is an explanation of the process of salvation!