Galatians 1:6 "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,"

	"I marvel" Expresses both surprise and disappointment. They had been so full of promise (Galatians 4:14-15; 5:7 ).
	"So soon" Indicates they were quickly influenced by persuasive speakers and turned from the truth. (Romans 16:18 ).
	"From Him" This is defection from God the Father who is the one who calls (Romans 8:30 ), and from Jesus Christ in whom the believer is called (2 Timothy 1:9 ), and the Holy Spirit who actually does the calling (John 6:63 ).
	"In the grace of Christ" This is standing in acceptance with God through God's own favour and provision. What shock that the Galatians would stand down from acceptance in grace.
	"A different gospel" The gospel is changed by the false teachers to a perversion of the gospel. Defection from the true gospel that saves is the dangerous consequence of yielding to wrong teaching.

Galatians 1:7 "Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."

The different gospel, another or second gospel. There is only one gospel, and absolutely no possibility of another. There are troublers and certain perverters who would reverse the gospel into renewed bondage, and make of no effect the death of Christ for sinners. Those disturbed and deceived would lose all for a worthless ritual.

Galatians 1:9 "... If any man preach any other gospel ... let him be accursed."

Hypothetically applicable to himself or his fellow workers, should they preach any other than the only gospel of Christ - accursed. Heresy today is lightly treated as a difference of interpretation. But in truth heresy has power to damn a soul. It is so serious a curse is put on it. Accursed - literally - 'anathema' or devoted to destruction. A fearful responsibility rests upon the teacher.

Galatians 1:10 "... For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."

	Determined not to conceal the truth to win the approval of men.
	Determined not to put the friendship of men before the Lord's friendship.
	Determined to obey Christ his Lord by whom he was bought at such great cost.
	Determined to please God rather than men, showing his teaching to be the pure Word of God.
	Determined to be diligent, faithful, true to the gospel, never compromising it.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. How was Paul surprised and disappointed with the Galatians? (Galatians 1:6 ).
2. From whom were the Galatians defecting? (Galatians 1:6 ).
3. Would you conclude that "a different gospel" does not deserve the name gospel? (Galatians 1:6 ).
4. In which way do you understand that heresy is not to be lightly treated? (Galatians 1:8-9 ).
5. Would you maintain that being a teacher carries an awesome responsibility? (Galatians 1:9 ).
6. What kind of determination should be yours as Christ's servant? (Galatians 1:10 ).