Galatians 1:10

Galatians 1:10 from the New King James Version (NKJV) reads:

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 NKJV

Commentary

Context of Galatians 1: The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to address issues regarding the Judaizers, who were teaching that Gentile Christians must observe Jewish law to be saved. Paul’s primary concern was the distortion of the Gospel of grace through faith in Christ alone. Galatians 1 underscores the divine origin of Paul’s apostleship and the purity of the Gospel, free from human-imposed requirements.

Galatians 1:10 – Key Teaching: This verse challenges believers to consider their motivations. Paul contrasts the pursuit of human approval with the commitment to Christ. He implies that genuine service to Christ requires prioritising God’s approval over human approval. Paul’s own transformation—from a zealous Pharisee seeking human approval to an apostle devoted to Christ—serves as a powerful backdrop.

Insights and Theological Teachings

1. Motivation and Integrity: Paul emphasises integrity in ministry. Serving Christ means rejecting the urge to tailor the Gospel for popularity or acceptance. For modern Christians, this highlights the importance of authenticity in faith and actions, resisting the pressure to conform to secular standards.

2. True Servitude: Paul identifies himself as a “bondservant of Christ,” suggesting a voluntary, devoted servitude. This underscores the believer’s submission to God’s sovereign will, recognising Christ’s lordship in every aspect of life.

3. The Incompatibility of Pleasing Men and Serving Christ: Paul’s statement that pleasing men is incompatible with serving Christ suggests an inherent conflict between worldly approval and divine approval. This is a call to embrace the countercultural aspects of the Gospel, often standing against societal norms for the sake of biblical truth.

Application to Modern Christian Living

1. Discernment in Ministry: Modern Christians must exercise discernment, ensuring that their ministries and personal lives reflect a commitment to the truth of the Gospel, rather than seeking to accommodate popular trends or opinions.

2. Commitment to Truth: Believers are encouraged to hold fast to biblical truth, even when it is unpopular. This can mean making difficult choices that align with Scripture, rather than succumbing to the pressure of cultural acceptance.

3. Servitude and Devotion: Understanding oneself as a bondservant of Christ involves a daily commitment to live out the Gospel, demonstrating love, grace, and truth in all interactions.

Bibliography

The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV):

Galatians 1: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+1&version=NKJV

Reformed Christian Sources:

Calvin, John. Commentaries on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians. Accessible at: https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom41/calcom41.v.i.html

Sproul, R.C. St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary: Galatians. Available at: https://www.ligonier.org/store/galatians-hardcover/

Biblical Texts:

BibleGateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/

Blue Letter Bible: https://www.blueletterbible.org/

This commentary is not exhaustive but offers a thorough perspective on Galatians 1:10, relevant to modern believers.