Galatians 1
Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, not appointed by men, and greets the churches of Galatia, expressing his amazement that they have quickly turned away from the true gospel. He warns them that anyone, including himself or an angel, who preaches a different gospel should be condemned. Paul explains that his gospel is not from men, but from a revelation of Jesus Christ, and recounts his former life as a zealous persecutor of the church before his conversion. After his conversion, Paul did not seek the approval of the apostles in Jerusalem, but instead went to Arabia and later met with Peter and James in Jerusalem.
Paul, an Apostle, not from men and not through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the deadand all the brothers who are with me: to the churches of GalatiaGrace and peace to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christwho gave himself on behalf of our sins, so that he might deliver us from this present wicked age, according to the will of God our FatherTo him is glory forever and ever. AmenI wonder that you have been so quickly transferred, from him who called you into the grace of Christ, over to another gospelFor there is no other, except that there are some persons who disturb you and who want to overturn the Gospel of ChristBut if anyone, even we ourselves or an Angel from Heaven, were to preach to you a gospel other than the one that we have preached to you, let him be anathemaJust as we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone has preached a gospel to you, other than that which you have received, let him be anathemaFor am I now persuading men, or God? Or, am I seeking to please men? If I still were pleasing men, then I would not be a servant of ChristFor I would have you understand, brothers, that the Gospel which has been preached by me is not according to manAnd I did not receive it from man, nor did I learn it, except through the revelation of Jesus ChristFor you have heard of my former behavior within Judaism: that, beyond measure, I persecuted the Church of God and fought against HerAnd I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my equals among my own kind, having proven to be more abundant in zeal toward the traditions of my fathersBut, when it pleased him who, from my mother’s womb, had set me apart, and who has called me by his graceto reveal his Son within me, so that I might evangelize him among the Gentiles, I did not next seek the consent of flesh and bloodNeither did I go to Jerusalem, to those who were Apostles before me. Instead, I went into Arabia, and next I returned to DamascusAnd then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter; and I stayed with him for fifteen daysBut I saw none of the other Apostles, except James, the brother of the LordNow what I am writing to you: behold, before God, I am not lyingNext, I went into the regions of Syria and CiliciaBut I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in ChristFor they had only heard that: "He, who formerly persecuted us, now evangelizes the faith which he once fought.And they glorified God in me
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