The Real McCoy: Only One True Gospel

1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—2 and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:1-12

A few observations:

• Verse 1 “sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.”
  • Paul acknowledges that his authority comes from Christ and God (cf., 2 Cor. 10:8).
  • The apostolic witness to the gospel truth was received without mediation, viz., directly from God Himself (cf., vv. 15-16).
  • Christ is set apart from the category of mere, ordinary men.
• Verse 7 “which is really no gospel at all.”
  • Paul explicitly affirms there is only one true gospel. All others are counterfeit and, therefore, categorically false (cf., Eph. 4:3-6).
• Verses 8-9 “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned . . . If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Consider the source!
  • It is the message of the gospel that is true, not the messenger.
  • Even Satan and his demons are disguised as“an angel of light” or “servants of righteousness” (2 Cor. 11:14-15).
  • Was Paul being judgmental? Paul’s judgment was universal and absolute, “eternally condemned.”
• Verses 11-12 “I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
  • Paul explicitly denies that the gospel is merely human in origin “not something that man made”
  • Paul explicitly denies that the gospel was received by tradition “did not receive it from any man”
  • Paul explicitly denies that he was coached or trained in the gospel
  • Paul explicitly affirms that the gospel he preached (and subsequently penned in the NT) was a direct revelation from Jesus Christ. This revelation was unexpected, distinct, and unparalleled (Acts 9 and the Damascus road experience). However, our response to the revealed gospel is unique to us.