No other gospel
Today's focusPaul marvels that the Galatians are turning so quickly from the grace of Christ to a different gospel, which is no gospel at all; he insists that the gospel he preached came not from man but by revelation of Jesus Christ, and that he seeks to please God, not people.
Read
6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Paul expresses a deep and startling concern: he says, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed" from the one who called you. It is easy to be swayed by new ideas or the pressure of those who "trouble you," but Paul warns that turning away from the "grace of Christ" leads to a message that is "not another" gospel at all. It is a perversion of the truth. True faith is not about following the latest human trend or seeking the approval of those around us.
The message you have received is not "after man." Paul emphasizes that he did not learn it through human instruction or tradition, "but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." This reminds you that the foundation of your hope is divine, not man-made. If we focus on trying to "please men," we risk losing our focus as a "servant of Christ." Today, stay rooted in the simple, powerful grace that was first preached to you. Trust in the revelation of Jesus rather than seeking to satisfy the expectations of the world.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
Where are you tempted to add something to the good news of grace — or to seek people's approval more than God's?
Pray
Lord Jesus, thank you for the true gospel of your grace. Keep me from adding to it or turning away from it. Help me seek to please you rather than people.