1:1 This, Paul's greeting is a great representation of not only how we should present ourselves but also of how our disposition should be. Paul's insistence on remembering God's winnowing hand in His life contributed to the productivity and fulfillment of his life purpose.
1:2 In the previous book, Paul wrote to the Corinthians. We now begin a small chapter consisting of the epistle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia (another region in present day Greece).
1:3 To begin his letter, Paul highlights his purpose of writing: to spread the graceful philosophy which had been brought to him by God. This is Paul's confirmation of himself as an apostle, a soul on a mission of working with God.
1:4 In many ways, this life cannot be considered evil. God's children are here and are in many places, doing incredible and compassionate things. However Paul identifies humanity's time on earth as an evil age and despite the good that we know exists here, we cannot entirely disagree with him.
In the spirit, life intentions toward compassion and creation of life and energy. On earth, humans tend to intention toward consumerism and power. Procurement often leads to greed and greed to evil. Not all of us commit evil acts, but many of us neglect to thwart them or sometimes even recognize that they're happening. Jesus came to teach us how to disentangle ourselves from that which is meaningless, chaotic and destructive.
1:5 Paul concludes his greeting having established himself as an apostle, his commitment to the faith, his understanding of its purpose and development, and his reverence to our infinite God.
1:6-7 Paul is genuinely confused. The Galatians had gratefully and authentically absorbed truth, having been taught by Jesus' apostles and yet had not remained focused and vigilant enough to retain it. Paul marvels that they discarded truth for falsity. The Galatians were faithful in the true gospel... but were easily sidetracked by false teachings. From even the beginning of our study of the Bible, one of the most prominent messages has been a warning for us to be watchful, weary of situations and people which divert us from our faith and our truth.
1:8-9 This imploration works to remind us that there are people and institutions which deceive and work hypocritically. Corruptions which are cunningly designed shepherd us away from truth and our money or our self-control directly into their hands.
Therefore we must take responsibility for the information we allow to influence us. Have we derived it from a trustworthy source? Do our leaders and teachers teach us without bias, without motive? Be must observe the behavior of the people around us, being at all times aware that humans are fallible.
1:10 Paul isn't working for himself. He's working for God and he's working for their (and our) benefit. He has no interest in establishing fame or reverence for himself. Paul writes this impassioned epistle because he cares; the Galatians are going a wayward way, down a dangerous path of untruths. He isn't working to secure enough money for a mansion or for a feast or for a governmental position or even for a religious positional. Paul is not trying to impress them (or us)...
1:11-12 ... He speaks because he has been appointed as a speaker for God, having been identified by Him as a selfless and compassionate soul. The Galatians had switched paths. Instead of continuing to follow God, they began to follow eloquent men. Men who looked the part, dressed the part and even acted the part, but were ultimately internally corrupt.
And this occurs on several levels, not only on the spiritual and religious plane. Political candidates, teachers, business owners, even family, friends and acquaintances are capable of deception for personal motive (in small and large ways). The point is not that people are constantly working maliciously, for a person can have compassionate motives too. The point is that people are capable of working maliciously against you but that you have the discernment to realize it before their actions influence you.
11:13-14 Paul recounts the story and transformation of his life. This is a reiteration from Paul that philosophy he brings from region to region was delivered directly to him by God. And it is rather an extraordinary story because Paul was not convinced by a person to change himself, surely no human ever could have. Paul's transformation was catalyzed by divine intervention in his life.
11:15-17 These verses explain the nature of our work and relationship with God. Once we establish a connection with Him, we only need His guidance. Upon being appointed as an apostle, Paul was made independent by his dependence on God through His truth (faith). Rather than loiter around or discuss the new circumstances of his life with others, Paul got to work. He and God had already established a clear path and purpose.
When we work with God (on ourselves and on our life's purpose) there is no need to stall or meander or worry. He builds within us: direction, focus, motivation, purpose, passion. Instead of going over to his friends house or the local gossip and saying: "You'll never guess what happened to me!" and wasting time waiting for the reactions and opinions of others, Paul went to work.
1:18-20 Eventually, after years of hard work toward his purpose, deeply entrenched in God's philosophy, Paul did visit another apostle. God's children understand that when we are each working with God, we are working together and are supporting each other. No matter the difference of our physical location, as we journey toward the same purpose, we are combined.
2 Corinthians 8:10-11 Taught us that we cannot just dream or say or even begin a project. We must complete what we say we are going to do. As soon as Paul understand his purpose, he began working to complete it. He devoted every minute to his passion and purpose.
1:21-22 What did Paul do next? He continued to work. He did not get sidetracked or take a vacation or lose motive or steam. He was an unknown by humanity but by God he was established as an apostle and he took that blessed opportunity seriously all of the moments of his life.
1:23-24 Just as Paul was a breathing, walking testimony, so are we. What we endure and survive is an inspirational message to others. How we carry ourselves, how we think and speak and behave is a message to the people around us. Paul knew what message he wanted the world to hear from him and he changed the world. Know what message you want to present to the world and present it (without delay!).
