GALATIANS‬ ‭1:1-5‬ ‭‬‬

Paul is a very prolific theologian. He was a scholar in two worlds. As a Pharisee, he was trained in the Jewish religion, and was considered a rising star in its zealotry. Let us not forget that his conversion to Christianity came as he was in the middle of ambushing a cell of Christians hiding in Damascus. He was even present at the first martyrdom in Christian history. As a Roman citizen, he was highly educated. He was mentored in rhetoric and literacy, and had access to the ancient libraries. Paul had status and accolades. In today’s world, Paul would have had many degrees on his office wall. This is in sharp contrast to the fishermen and tax collectors whom Jesus normally called. Yet all of these things amounted to being an enemy of God, his son and the church. And these enemy riches are exactly the reason why Paul starts off his message to Galatia in solidarity with other believers in the acceptance and necessity for God’s grace. This isn’t a celebrated approach in today’s climate of social media likes and follows, but Paul rejects those notions by lowering himself into the position of someone equally in need of grace and the message about to be offered. This is a major element of mission work as well as Christian admonition. In Christ, there is an equal playing field, where our human efforts to be like God result in proof that we need God. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “ the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This must be present in any successful rendition of the gospel. Paul places at the beginning of his presentation. It is not hidden.