We have considered the epistles of Paul as a whole, and have seen that there are

fourteen epistles that are from this apostle's pen. We have seen that they form two

groups of seven epistles each, ranged on either side of Acts 28: 28.  We have

examined the evidences for the Pauline authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews, and

found it to be abundant and satisfying. We have considered the latest archaeological

findings and their bearing upon the date of the epistle to the Galatians and have found

that there is now no valid reason for refusing this epistle prior place in the chronological

order of the epistles of Paul, and we now address ourselves to the happy though arduous

task of following the mind of the Spirit, through the words of Paul as they were written in

his burning zeal to preserve "the truth of the gospel" for all time, and save those whose

steadfastness in the faith was his own joy and crown.

As we commence this epistle and read on through chapters one and two we cannot

help but be struck with the insistence with which the apostle emphasizes his own

apostolic authority and message, and when we remember that this epistle was his effort,

under God to stop the rot that had set in and which threatened the very life of the church

and the saving power of the gospel, then it becomes evident that a recognition of Paul's

authorship and independent ministry lies very near the heart of truth, and cannot be

dismissed as being of secondary importance. "The LORD's message" IS associated very

intimately with "the LORD's messenger" (Hag. 1: 13). If Paul was in deed and in truth

God's messenger to the Gentiles, then the enemy of truth would most surely endeavour to

undermine his authority, and if he had been entrusted with a special message of grace to

the Gentiles, then we might expect that one of the enemy's attacks would be made upon

the gospel either by denial, by misrepresentation or by substitution. Tools for this sad

work would never be lacking while a sectarian spirit was far more natural than an humble

recognition of the basic unity of the redeemed, and the power of tradition would prevent

many of those who were really saved from breaking clean away from the "weak and

beggarly elements" that had but led them deeper into bondage.

The challenge therefore having sounded, the apostle as the chosen vessel to bear the

name of the Lord before the Gentiles, takes up the gage, and enters the arena. His

opening words are a threefold response to this challenge of his enemies, and all his

blessed teaching stands for naught if this threefold response cannot be maintained and

justified. What are his three points therefore?

(1)

He asserts his absolute apostleship, in entire independence of man or men.

(2)

He testifies to the unique character of his gospel, which was not taught by

man, but which he received by revelation.