Convictions & Conversations
Hey everyone! I’m back with part two of my study on Galatians, and I’ve been learning so much that I can’t wait to share it with you!
So, we’re looking at Galatians 1:1–2:10, where Paul doesn’t waste any time. Instead of the usual warm greetings, he jumps straight into calling out the Galatian churches for going off track. They were starting to believe and teach things that were corrupting their understanding of the true gospel, and Paul immediately tells them that the path they're on is one of destruction and will only lead to their ruin. His main point is that they need to come back to the real gospel—the one that comes from God.
One of the coolest things I noticed here is how Paul sets the stage. Right off the bat, he tells them he’s not an apostle sent by people, but by God. He’s making it clear that his message has divine authority—it’s not just some human-made idea. Paul’s basically saying, “What I’m teaching you comes straight from God.”
In verses 3-4, Paul talks about grace and peace that we get through Jesus, reminding the Galatians (and us) that Jesus gave Himself for our sins to rescue us. I think the Galatians had kind of lost sight of why Jesus sacrificed Himself, and Paul is bringing them back to that core truth: we don’t need to earn grace through sacrifices or rituals because Jesus already paid the price for us. How amazing is that?
Then, in verses 6-9, Paul really lays it down. He calls the Galatians out for “deserting” God by following these false teachings, kind of like how Israel turned away from God after being freed from Egypt. It’s a tough message, but so important—when we start listening to things that aren’t in line with God’s truth, we’re turning our backs on Him and following someone else. Paul’s warning is a reminder that our hearts can easily be led astray if we’re not careful.
I think Paul is really passionate here because 1. he wants them to understand the severity of their situation and give them the opportunity to turn back to God now, and 2. he knows how dangerous these false teachings are. He’s been there himself—he knows what it’s like to believe the wrong things and commit horrible acts in its name, and he doesn’t want the Galatians to make the same mistake.
In Galatians 1:10–2:10, Paul gets personal, sharing his story to show that the gospel he preaches is the real deal. Even the early church leaders agreed with him! His story is a great reminder that no matter how far we might wander, it’s never too late to come back to the truth and to God.
Today, a lot of people think that as long as you live a good life, it doesn’t matter what you believe. But Paul I don't think Paul would agree. According to the Bible, it’s not just about doing good things—it’s about staying true to God’s Word, spreading the real gospel, and following what God calls us to do. Good deeds are great, but without faith in God, they don’t mean much.
I’m loving what I’m learning in Galatians, and I hope this study has been encouraging for you too. Can’t wait to keep digging into this!
If you want to follow along, click the link! https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/knowing-bible-galatians/#week-2-the-irreplaceable-gospel-gal-11-210
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