Paul did some of his first church planting work in the region of Galatia (see map). Then he learned that other teachers had gone to Galatia, and were telling his Gentile converts that Paul’s gospel was incomplete because he did not enforce Jewish ceremonial laws or require Gentile men to be circumcised (cf. Galatians 4:10, 5:2). In a spirited, emotional response, Paul insisted that he got his gospel directly from Christ, not from human sources.

• Paul told his Galatian readers that, ironically, he had been more zealous for Jewish ritualsthan his critics, and that he had learned that type of religion from human teachers. Thegood news of grace he preached, he said, was what came through “a revelation fromJesus Christ.” In what ways has God changed or totally re-oriented your thinking? Wasthat process easy, or did you have to “wrestle it out” with God?
• Paul quoted Christians in Judea: “The man who used to harass us now preaches the faiththat he once tried to destroy” (verse 23). Luke told more about that part of the story. TheJudeans accepted Paul because Barnabas, whom they did trust, vouched for Paul’shonesty (cf. Acts 9:26-28). How can you be a “Barnabas,” supporting others andsmoothing the way for them to do the ministry work God has called them to?