Galatians 1:6-9 (WEL) I’m amazed that you have so quickly turned away from him who called you into the grace of Christ to another Gospel, 7 Which is not another Gospel, but there are those who would trouble you and pervert the Gospel about Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel to you other than what we have already preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, I now say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than the one you have received, let him be accursed.
V6 I’m amazed that you have so quickly turned away from him who called you into the grace of Christ to another Gospel.
There are many Gospels. A summary of the true Gospel vs False Gospels comes down to a few points: 1) Faith in Jesus Christ alone vs Jesus plus something, and 2) Works will not save vs works are necessary.
The Gospel summary as I understand it is at the bottom of these notes.
Why do people turn to another Gospel?
Some rely on logic as in “the force of logic was overwhelming,” but reason and logic are not infallible or sinless; they are contaminated by sin. Some rely on an orator, a personality, a need for kindness, grooming, false promises, love of sinful pleasures, pride, self-will, etc.
The Galatian believers heard and were taught the Gospel by Paul and his team.
False teachers came in with the traits listed above. The false Gospel that some were turning and trusting in was faith in Jesus plus keeping Mosaic law, especially circumcision.
V7 Which is not another Gospel, but there are those who would trouble you and pervert the Gospel about Christ.
There is only one Gospel. The trouble mentioned here is that false teachers caused the believers to wonder if they were really saved. “Maybe, I do need to do this or that thing.”
Ironside comments: “In other words, the apostle Paul realizes the fact that the gospel is God’s only message to lost man, and that to pervert that gospel, to offer people something else in place of it, for a man to attempt to foist upon them an imitation gospel is to put in jeopardy the souls of those who listen to him. Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasized this when He pointed out that those men who taught people to trust in their own efforts for salvation were blind leaders of the blind, and that eventually both leader and led would fall into the ditch. It is a very serious thing to mislead men along spiritual lines; it is a terrible thing to give wrong direction when souls are seeking the way to heaven.”
V8 But even if we or an angel from heaven preach any other Gospel to you other than what we have already preached to you, let him be accursed.
The Lord Jesus and His Apostles know and preach the true Gospel. Any other gospel will not save from God’s wrath. It might be an angel or a human. It might come from a false vision, false miracles, false promises, and twisted logic.
The false gospel is cursed. It is damned by God. Believing in a false gospel will not be acceptable by God, will give no peace, will give no forgiveness, will give no fellowship with God. There are no blessings whatsoever if one believes a false gospel.
V9 As we said before, I now say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than the one you have received, let him be accursed.
Paul repeats himself for emphasis. It really is that important.
We learn:
- There is only one Gospel.
- All other gospels are cursed.
Questions:
- Do you believe the Gospel taught by Jesus and His Apostles?
- Do you teach and preach the Gospel taught by Jesus and His Apostles as taught in the Scriptures?
What is the Gospel?
The good news is how to restore fellowship with the Creator, forgiveness of sins, a home in heaven after dying, and bearing fruit honoring God.
We are all sinners (breaking God’s laws):
- 10 commandments—all 10 laws are broken in thoughts, desires, words, and/or deeds (Exodus 20:1-21 and Deuteronomy 5:1-21).
- Each commandment is a broad set of many subsets. False witness includes any and every type of sin.
Punishment:
- God’s wrath (John 3:36, Romans 1:18, Ephesians 5:6, and Revelation 20:11-15).
- Eternal torment (2 Thessalonians 1:9, and Jude 1:7). Sin bearer/substitute:
- Either I pay the penalty for my sins or a substitute does. See Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2, 1 Corinthians 15:3, and 1 Peter 2:24).
Jesus:
- The only, perfect substitute, the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7 and Ephesians 5:2).
- A volunteer (1 John 4:10, Galatians 1:4, 1 Timothy 2:6, and 1 Timothy 2:14).
- Sinless (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, and 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- God (in order to die yet live)—John 1:1, John 5:17-18, and Hebrews 1:8-10).
- Human (Hebrews 2:17, Matthew 1:25 (born of Mary), Philippians 2:6-8).
- Must be sacrificed for the shedding of blood (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:14, and 1 John 2:2).
Conviction:
- It is the work of the Holy Spirit to initiate salvation (John 16:8-9, John 8:9, Luke 5:8, and 2 Corinthians 7:10).
- Necessary to humble ourselves (Matthew 11:29, Luke 18:9-14, and Isaiah 57:15).
Faith:
- Believing in God (Romans 4:1-5, John 3:15, and John 3:18).
- A personal volition (Luke 18:13, Matthew 21:32, Acts 2:38, and Proverbs 1:29).
Changed life:
- Seeking righteousness (Romans 6:16-20, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 1 Timothy 6:11, and 1 John 3:10).
- The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:9).
- Following the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, James 1:25, and James 2:12).