Tuesday: Paul’s Gospel
In addition to defending his apostleship, what else does Paul emphasize in his opening greeting to the Galatians? Compare Gal. 1:3–5 with Eph. 1:2, Phil. 1:2, and Col. 1:2.
One of the unique features of Paul’s letters is the way he links the words grace and peace in the greetings. The combination of these two words is a modification of the most characteristic greetings in the Greek and Jewish world. Where a Greek author would write “Greetings” (chairein), Paul writes “Grace,” a similar-sounding word in Greek (charis). To this Paul adds the typical Jewish greeting of “Peace.”
The combination of these two words is not a mere pleasantry. On the contrary, the words basically describe his gospel message. (In fact, Paul uses these two words more than any other author in the New Testament.) The grace and peace are not from Paul but from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What aspects of the gospel does Paul include in Galatians 1:1–6?
Although Paul has little space in his opening greeting to develop the nature of the gospel, he masterfully describes the essence of the gospel in only a few short verses. What is the central truth upon which the gospel resides? According to Paul, it is not our conformity to the law—the point that Paul’s opponents were trumpeting. On the contrary, the gospel rests fully on what Christ accomplished for us through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Christ’s death and resurrection did something that we never could do for ourselves. They broke the power of sin and death, freeing His followers from the power of evil, which holds so many in fear and bondage.
As Paul reflects on the wonderful news of the grace and peace that God created for us in Christ, he falls into a spontaneous doxology, which appears in verse 5.
In about as many words as Paul used in Galatians 1:1–5, write down your understanding of what the gospel is all about. Bring your words to class on Sabbath.
the gospel fully rests on the accomplishment of Jesus Christ who had to die on the cross just to save us all. en what amazes me is the way Paul had all the poetry skills in him like salutation body/message en the ending.
he had to preach through the Galatians for peace en hope for all human race despite any form of discrimination.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…..only….God grace & mercy through His Son bought us through in deliverance from our Lord and Savior will allow us to surrender in the name of our Heavenly Father to be overcome victoriously in our daily struggle constantly leaning on Jesus grace and the peace within.
grace and peace. two key words in his concluding words. two key words in our experience in this world. we receive grace through the cross of Christ. He opened the way for us to receive grace and to gift us with a peaceful spirit no matter what circumstances we are facing. He gives us his peace. But he offers it to us, not so that we hold on to it and experience it for ourselves only. We are to also share this same experience we receive from him and give it to others around us, next to us, within our family and the church and the world; without any boundaries of religion, race color; the cross of Calvary opened a way for ALL people to come to Him, who are we to create a barrier and not allow others to see the love of God? therefore, we are the vessel that God has chosen for him to bestow his love to those around you.