Stay on Track! Paul's Letter to the GalatiansSample

The danger of a distorted gospel

". . . there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:7)

Having greeted his readers, Paul gets to the point. He has been told that the Galatians have turned to “a different gospel." Paul exclaims there is no other gospel! Everything contrary to the gospel preached by Paul and his companions is a distortion of the truth; that is very dangerous, for knowing the truth about Jesus and His salvation work is vital for the Galatians' spiritual life.

Paul is not just addressing minor issues of differing opinions. The core of the gospel is at stake! False teachers are claiming that people are not saved by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ but that their faith should be supplemented by obedience to the law.

Paul places great importance on the Galatians knowing the truth about God’s salvation plan. This becomes clear from his emotional outburst in verse 9, "if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed”!

How important is “knowing the truth” to you? Are you studying the Bible to discover the true gospel?