Paul’s controversy with the Judaisers continues into Chapter 2 with decisions that must be made regarding the election of the Gentiles. Many years pass before the debate comes to a head for resolution. We read today of the First Council of Jerusalem, 46 AD. The heads of Christ’s Church in Jerusalem recall how Jesus taught from the Law, and so thought therefore that the Gentile converts should also follow the Jewish Laws. What they missed was that the Mosaic Law was general, and the Levitical Law was quite specifically written to the Jews. . .

In the second half of chapter one, Paul is defending both the gospel he preaches as well as the authority by which he preaches. He reminds the churches in Galatia of who he was before Christ and how he was saved.
When God revealed himself to Paul and commissioned him to proclaim the gospel among the Gentiles, that’s exactly what Paul did. Without consulting anyone else, Paul was obedient to what God called him to do and spent the rest of his life proclaiming that gospel message. As Paul says here, he began by spending some time in Arabia—presumably for a period of spiritual preparation—and then returned to Damascus.

Galatians 1 sets the stage for the letter's overarching defense of the true Gospel. Paul's transformation from a fierce persecutor of the Church to a fervent apostle reinforces the transformative power of God's grace. This chapter serves as a potent reminder to remain grounded in the true Gospel, be wary of distortions, and continuously praise God for His work in the lives of believers.

Paul has been traveling in this second section of Galatians 1. He gives testimony of the changed life he has received, and gives us an abbreviated overview of how he ended up teaching of Christ, rather than persecuting Him. He assures the readers of this letter that this change has come about because of the wonderful works of God. His knowledge of Christ was not taught to him by man, not like he was taught the scriptures of Judaism. Paul says of his new preaching, that it came by “revelation of God!”

The Epistle to the Galatians that we begin today is not just a for a single Church. Asia Minor, which we refer to as Turkey today, was at the time of the letter called Anatolia. The region known as Galatia covered a large area of central Anatolia. There in that part of the country we find cities that we have read of in Acts of the Apostles: Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe were small cities but worthwhile stops in Paul’s travels. These were the Galatian Churches . . .

Romans 16 emphasizes the power of personal connections and unity in the body of Christ. It is a testament to the many unsung heroes who worked with Paul in the spreading of the gospel. It also serves as a warning to maintain unity and stay alert to divisive influences. The final doxology serves as a reminder that it is God who strengthens us, as we strive to follow the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ.

This final chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is in three parts. The first part takes us through verse 16, as Paul provides an introduction for Phebe, the courier of the Roman Epistle, and then offers greetings to friends, and family alike who are in the Church at Rome. The Roman letter introduces us to some of Paul’s family, who were also Believers, some even before Paul became one . . .

In chapter 15 of the book of Romans, Paul continues his discussion on how those who are strong (mature) are to receive and bear with the infirmities of the weak. Encouraging the strong to be concerned with uplifting the weak, he reminds them of Christ and His unselfishness (1-3). Reminding them of the value of the Old Testament Scriptures, he pleads for patience so that with one mind and one mouth they may glorify God (4-6). Finally, he calls for them to receive one another to the glory of God, just as Christ served both Jews and Gentiles in fulfilling the prophets of old (7-12). Paul then offers a prayer that God might fill them with joy and peace in believing, so that they may abound in hope with the help of the Holy Spirit (13).