Shortly after Paul’s first missionary journey to Galatia—a region in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) that he had evangelised (Acts 13–14)—false teachers infiltrated the young churches, claiming that Gentile believers must observe the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, to be fully accepted by God. This not only distorted the gospel of grace but also challenged Paul’s authority as a true apostle. In response, Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia (likely between AD 48 and 55), with two main purposes: first, to affirm that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone and not by works of the Law; and second, to assert that his apostolic commission came directly from Jesus Christ.
To the churches in Galatia:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age,
Galatians 1:2-4 (NIV)
Paul opens his letter by describing his critics as part of the “present evil age,” a phrase that likely refers to the corrupting influences operating both within the church and in the world. The Judaizers charged that Paul was not a genuine apostle and claimed he had intentionally omitted certain legal requirements from the gospel to make it more appealing to new believers. A similar accusation is echoed by some modern-day preachers who cling to the traditions and rituals of old, refusing to proclaim the truth that righteousness comes solely through the blood shed by Jesus on the cross—and nothing else.
The Gospel Rejected
Paul expresses shock that the Galatians are so quickly abandoning the true gospel of Christ’s grace for a distorted message, warning that anyone—including himself or even an angel—who preaches a different gospel is under God’s curse.
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 (NIV)
Pleasing people and being a servant of Christ cannot truly coexist. Paul points out that our objective must be to seek God’s approval above all else. When we focus on pleasing people, we risk changing or softening God’s message to make it more acceptable, relying on our own logic rather than delivering His truth. Serving Christ should be our central aim; if fellowship with people happens as a result it should be a byproduct and not our goal.
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12 (NIV)
Paul’s own testimony shows that while the gospel may be introduced to us through human messengers, its true life-changing power comes when it is personally revealed to us by God. In the same way, every believer needs more than second-hand faith—we must encounter God for ourselves. Many people find this difficult to grasp because they are accustomed to receiving the gospel solely through others.
We should consistently point them toward God, teaching them His truth while giving them space to grow and to learn directly from Him. This means encouraging prayer, personal study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, so that their faith is not merely second-hand but grounded in their own firsthand experience with God.
Recounting his past life
Paul openly shares his history of persecuting the church, showing the dramatic transformation that God brought about. Paul recalls his former life in Judaism, where he zealously persecuted the church and excelled beyond his peers in keeping ancestral traditions. Yet God, who had set him apart from birth, called him by grace and revealed His Son to him so that he might preach to the Gentiles—prompting Paul to act without seeking human counsel.
I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
Galatians 1:17 (NIV)
One of the most common mistakes people make after coming to Christ is to immediately turn to the pastor or person who led them to faith, making them their standard-bearer and trying to emulate their walk rather than seeking God directly. Paul’s experience was different—he literally saw the light of God and received a clear calling, so he did not need to consult anyone for direction.
Think of how we find our way in the darkness of night: when we cannot see clearly, we have to feel our way around; but in the daylight, we move forward confidently. Many of us have not yet seen the light as clearly as Paul did, so we tend to question, second-guess, and rely on others for assurance. Yet our goal should be to grow in clarity of God’s voice and direction, so that our confidence rests in Him rather than in human guides.
Meeting the Apostles
After three years, Paul visited Jerusalem to meet Cephas, staying with him for fifteen days, and saw only James besides him. He then travelled to Syria and Cilicia, remaining personally unknown to the churches of Judea, which only heard that the former persecutor was now preaching the faith he once sought to destroy—and they praised God because of him. Interestingly, they were praising God because of the transformation and conversion of Paul, the oppressor of their people, but not for the message that God was speaking through him.
In a similar way today, many talk about and spread rumours of someone’s past life—whether within the walls of the church or on social media—rather than listening to and understanding the message of God they are seeking to share. When someone faithfully delivers the truth of God’s message, instead of engaging with the content of what is being said, some people focus on attacking the messenger. They dig into the person’s past, highlight their weaknesses, or magnify minor faults in an attempt to undermine their credibility. Often this is done not out of a genuine desire for truth, but to avoid being confronted or challenged by the message itself. Just as in Paul’s day, this tactic shifts attention away from the gospel and toward personal criticism, allowing the hearer to dismiss the truth without truly wrestling with it.
After fourteen years, Paul eventually went to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus in response to a revelation, presenting his gospel to the leaders to confirm his work was not in vain. Despite pressure from false believers seeking to undermine their freedom in Christ and enforce circumcision, Paul refused to yield, ensuring the truth of the gospel was preserved for the believers.
On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:7-8 (NIV)
Paul came to understand clearly that his mission was distinct from Peter’s, each being called to different groups by God’s design. Yet we often fail to recognise the specific “sheep” the Father has entrusted to us, instead chasing after the “wolves” the enemy has placed in our path. These wolves often establish their position through religion, using its structures and traditions to legitimise themselves while drawing people away from God’s true way.
Even Paul, after his direct encounter with Jesus, went to Peter seeking to learn about his time with Christ—showing that curiosity and the desire for connection are natural, but also a reminder that human guidance must never replace God’s direction. What we must learn from the Church in Galatia is that adherence to religious norms is still the biggest magnet that pulls people away from walking in God’s path. Let us not keep anyone bound to religion and traditions and rather connect every sheep that God sends our way directly to Him.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Paul write his letter to the Galatians?
- How can pleasing people and being a servant of Christ ever coexist, yet why are people today trying to walk the fine line between them?
- Since most of us first hear the gospel from other people, does it risk becoming merely a human tradition to us? Should every believer receive the gospel directly from God—and if so, how can that happen?
- How does personal criticism of a messenger distract from God’s truth?
- Why do we sometimes ignore the sheep God has given us and instead engage with “wolves”?
- How can religion draw people away from God?
The Jordan Valley 
Reply