1Paul , an apostle ( not from men , neither through man , but through Jesus Christ , and God the Father , who raised him from the dead ), 2and all the brethren that are with me , unto the churches of Galatia : 3Grace to you and peace from God the Father , and our Lord Jesus Christ , 4who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father : 5to whom be the glory for ever and ever . Amen.
The Distortion of the Gospel
6I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel ; 7which is not another gospel : only there are some that trouble you , and would pervert the gospel of Christ . 8But though we , or an angel from heaven , should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you , let him be anathema. 9As we have said before , so say I now again , If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received , let him be anathema.
Paul's Defense of His Apostolic Authority
10For am I now seeking the favor of men , or of God ? or am I striving to please men ? if I were still pleasing men , I should not be a servant of Christ . 11For I make known to you , brethren , as touching the gospel which was preached by me , that it is not after man . 12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it , but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ . 13For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God , and made havoc of it : 14and I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of mine own age among my countrymen , being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers . 15But when it was the good pleasure of God , who separated me , even from my mother ’s womb , and called me through his grace , 16to reveal his Son in me , that I might preach him among the Gentiles ; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me : but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus . 18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas , and tarried with him fifteen days . 19But other of the apostles saw I none , save James the Lord ’ s brother. 20Now touching the things which I write unto you , behold , before God , I lie not . 21Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia . 22And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ : 23but they only heard say , He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; 24and they glorified God in me .