GALATIANS 1:9-12 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Preach; is almost always used of the good news" concerning the Son of God as proclaimed in the Gospel. In this text Paul is specifically referring to "false" good news being declared as the "gospel". The Greek word used here is εὐαγγελίζω euangelizo. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G2097. It also has the idea of "evangelize".
Accursed; of the object on which the "curse" is laid, "accursed;" in the following, the RV keeps to the word "anathema," The Greek word is ἀνάθεμα anathema. Vines (def A-3), Strongs' G331. LSJ Gloss notes: anything devoted to evil, an accursed thing. This is also covered here.
Moving to Verse 10.
NBS* To please men was neither Paul's motivation nor the source of his authority (v.1). Paul constantly sought the approval of God. He did not base his decisions on the opinions of other people. Instead, he single-mindedly aimed at pleasing God. (Phil 3:14). As an apostle Paul was a leader but he was always a bondservant of Christ.
My Notes: Many people struggle with things like this where you have 2 true conditions. Paul was most certainly a leader, but he was also a servant to Jesus Christ.
Bondservant; an adjective, signifying in bondage," Romans 6:19 (neuter plural, agreeing with mele, "members"), is used as a noun, and as the most common and general word for "servant," frequently indicating subjection without the idea of bondage; it is used of Christ is this instance and others. Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:22 (2nd part); Galatians 1:10; Ephesians 6:6; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 4:12; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1; The Greek word used here is δοῦλος doulos, Vine's (def A-1,2), Strong's G1401.
Definition Verse References:
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.
Ephesians 6:6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
James 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have [a]obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
1 Samuel 24:7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
Moving to Verse 11.
NSB* There was no human creativity flavoring the gospel Paul preached. Paul knew it only because he received it by special revelation from Jesus Christ at his conversion.
Acts 26:12-18 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Brethren; Dobson notes - a brother a brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. The Greek word used here is ἀδελφός adelphos. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G80.
Moving to Verse 12.
Received; to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn. Vine's notes "to receive from another" (para, "from beside"), or "to take," signifies "to receive," The Greek word is παραλαμβάνω paralambano. Vine's (def A-2), Strong's G3880.
Taught; Thayer expands:
1) to teach 1a) to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses 1b) to be a teacher 1c) to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one's self as a teacher 2) to teach one 2a) to impart instruction 2b) instill doctrine into one 2c) the thing taught or enjoined 2d) to explain or expound a thing 2f) to teach one something.
The Greek word used here is διδάσκω didasko.Strong's G1321. As you can see this word has a pretty broad application.
Revelation; Dodson notes an unveiling, uncovering, revealing an unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation. Vine's has several definitions but here it is in reference to the gospel itself. The Greek word is ἀποκάλυψις apokalupsis. It has the idea of disclosure as well. Strong's G602.
Takeaways - this is a re-emphasis of what Paul said in earlier verses. So here I will just restate my takeaway from the last study. I know a lot of Christians are discouraged by those who try to pervert the gospel, but just know that it's nothing new. Right off the bat, the early church was already dealing with this issue. Stick close to God and the Word of God. Delight in the Lord and seek fellowship worthy of our calling. This passage highlights the severity of deceiving God's people.
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