Day 109 – Paul's Letter to the Galatians

Today’s reading: Gal 1

Today we start Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. He is writing in the early A.D. 50’s. The Galatians had been pagans whom he converted on his previous missionary journey. The purpose of the letter is to refute Judaizers, converts who have come to Galatia but still hold that to be a Christian you must still maintain adherence to the Jewish Law of Moses.

Galatians is probably Paul’s most emphatic letter. The false preachers in Galatia have questioned his authority and are undermining the message of the Gospel. He seems to be upset by what is happening and that comes through. Paul begins with a dramatic statement that even if an angel came and preached a different Gospel than what Paul has previously taught that angel should be accursed.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

This is an important warning for anyone that would presume to teach the Gospel to others. You better be sure you’re getting it right. If to teach a different gospel will get an Apostle or even an angel accursed it is clearly grave matter to teach the gospel incorrectly. However, one caveat, Paul is not talking about basic evangelization we are all called to do that. What Paul is talking about here is teaching systematically, i.e., preaching. If you are going to hold yourself out as a preacher and teach others the Christian faith you must be certain you are teaching the truth.

Tomorrow: Gal 2