Galatians 1:1-5 Let us follow Paul's example, for he was an approved apostle.

In addition to other postings, I hope to be able to post a small expositional applicational commentary each day (no promises,I'm a busy man) going through a book of the Bible. The first book I have chosen is Galatians (no promises that I'll even stick with Galatians, but I'll try). In this first one there is no explicit proposition (Dr. Hershael York would scold me for this), but later ones will probably be more developed. Here is my first post of my daily application.

Galatians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.

We should take our cues from Paul and not boast in any agency of our own. Paul was an apostle, one who is sent (though apostlos in the Greek can and usually seems to refer to a title in the New Testament, the original twelve disciples of Jesus—exempting Judas outside of the Gospels and accepting Matthias and Paul, here Paul is using the term in its original/classical Greek sense, “one who is sent”), having been commissioned to do the work of Christ.

Paul’s commissioning and his sending, as he stresses and makes clear, is not of the will of man and of man’s planning and efforts, but he is a chosen vessel of Jesus Christ and God the Father, the one who raised Him physically from the dead. As God’s child, following Paul’s example, recognize that you have been commissioned and you are sent by Jesus Christ to take forth His Gospel to all peoples and to preach it where He has placed you (for you have currently been sent to where you presently are). Do not boast in your own plans, approval (of yourself) (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 and James 4:13-16) or in your position, but boast in Him who sent you, for He is the sole source of any authority and gifting you have.

Remember to keep good fellowship and not to endeavor on your own. We are the body of Christ. As Paul had brothers (probably sisters as well) who kept him company and accountable, you also need close fellow heirs of Christ in your life. There was more than one person here to whom Paul is referring (“all the brethren”). When only Luke was with Paul (2 Timothy 4:11), he requests of Timothy to “make every effort to come to me soon” (2 Timothy 4:9). Paul knew the importance of fellowship with a circle of believers, and so you too must realize this. You need them to help you to stand firm in the faith.

Bid to one another and pray for one another that God may grant grace and peace in abundance. Pray this for the true Church throughout the world and for the local congregations in your area. Greet fellow believers you meet with a gentle, gracias, peaceful attitude. Paul bid God’s grace and peace be upon these churches in Galatia, the churches who in the next sentence he rebukes. In the same way, no matter if you are approaching a brother or sister who is in sin and needs rebuked either for physical or doctrinal sin, approach them and greet them with language that is full of grace as if it were “seasoned with salt” (cf. Colossians 4:6). If you do this, you will be received far more eagerly and your advice/conversation will fall upon more amenable ears.

Make sure that the grace and peace you bid and pray upon them is from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not bid and pray this flippantly, but with sincerity. Make sure that what you are wishing upon them is in line with the will and purposes of God, and that it is befitting for a saint. Our love for one another is in Christ. We must love the brethren, the Church of God that was bought with the blood of Christ (cf. 1 John 4:20-21). Love them in the manner Christ does and has shown us: be gentle, always edifying, rebuking when necessary.

Always have this hope: Christ gave Himself for us, His Church, to redeem us. His blood was poured out specially for us. He gave Himself for our sins. His death was effectual and so rescued us from this evil age and Hell which is to come. This should bring us great rejoicing in Christ and lead us to thanksgiving. This is the love with which He loved us: He gave Himself for us. This was and still is the will of God, our Father. And we can only call Him Father through Jesus Christ. Do not forget this when you approach God—you can only approach Him through the atoning sacrifice of Christ and in His intercession.

To God alone be the glory forever. Do not give your praise emptily to vain things. Rather, reserve your highest praise for God alone, for He alone is worthy; “for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Romans 11:36).
Amen