Galatians 1:1 From: Sha’ul, an emissary — I received my commission not from human beings or through human mediation but through Yeshua the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — also from all the brothers with me
2 To: The Messianic communities in Galatia:
3 Grace and shalom to you from God our Father and from the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 4 who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from the present evil world-system, in obedience to the will of God, our Father. 5 To him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
6 I am astounded that you are so quick to remove yourselves from me, the one who called you by the Messiah’s grace, and turn to some other supposedly “Good News,” 7 which is not good news at all! What is really happening is that certain people are pestering you and trying to pervert the genuine Good News of the Messiah. 8 But even if we — or, for that matter, an angel from heaven! — were to announce to you some so-called “Good News” contrary to the Good News we did announce to you, let him be under a curse forever! 9 We said it before, and I say it again: if anyone announces “Good News” contrary to what you received, let him be under a curse forever!
10 Now does that sound as if I were trying to win human approval? No! I want God’s approval! Or that I’m trying to cater to people? If I were still doing that, I would not be a servant of the Messiah.
11 Furthermore, let me make clear to you, brothers, that the Good News as I proclaim it is not a human product; 12 because neither did I receive it from someone else nor was I taught it — it came through a direct revelation from Yeshua the Messiah.
-------"For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin ... I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12)
By whose authority do we speak? If, like the Apostle Paul, the writer of this epistle, we claim our authority as being from above, how is it that those claiming to speak this authoritative Word can end up with claims that seem in fact to be polar opposites? Do we run the risk of using words that can create hurdles or cause divisions? Does language fail us at this point of proclamation? How else are we to explain conflicting claims?
In today's reading, the author claims his revelation as one that has come directly from above. Does such an understanding of divine revelation alarm or affirm the preacher? It certainly can raise questions for those contemplating the prospect of proclaiming the Word faithfully. Dare we use words to pass on this gospel received through a revelation of Jesus Christ? As they love to say in Lithuania: "What to do?" or as we might ask: "What to say?"
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the gift of the gospel. We know of its mysteries and its wonders, how through this gospel new life and new relationships are created. Continue to speak to us that we might find ways to speak "in living echoes of your tone." Amen.
Chris Quello
Retired
Master of Divinity, 1966
Galatians 1:1 Paul an apostle--sent neither by human commission nor from human authorities, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--
2 and all the members of God's family 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 set us free 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 the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7 not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are confusing you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed!
9 As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed!
10 Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
11 For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin;
12 for I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.[New Revised Standard Version]
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