In the opening verses of Galatians, Paul immediately addresses the two main concerns of this epistle: 1) Paul’s apostleship and 2) what the gospel really is. First, Paul’s apostleship and ministry did not have its origin in people but in Jesus Christ and God the Father (1). Second, peace and grace from God are available to all who have faith in Jesus. This is possible because Jesus gave himself for our sins. Jesus rescued us from this present evil age through his death and resurrection (4). God’s will is to save us through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This is the gospel Paul believed and proclaimed. Let’s newly believe and praise God for this gospel!

Many Galatian Christians were turning away from the gospel of Jesus to a different gospel, which was a perversion of the original. Whoever preached this other gospel, even if it was an angel, did not matter. Paul emphasized twice that such people were under God’s curse! Jesus’ death and resurrection may have offended some people, but Paul was not trying to please people. He was faithful to the only gospel that rescues us from sin and death.
Application: Father, thank you for our Lord Jesus Christ, who rescues us from this present evil age. Thank you for the grace and peace we have in Jesus. Help me to hold onto this gospel and preach it.
One Word: Jesus rescues us