Galatians 1 (WEB)
Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),
and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;
and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.
But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.
As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.
But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.
I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,
to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother.
Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying.
Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,
but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”
And they glorified God in me.
🔑 Key Points
1. The Question Every Religion Tries to Answer
Job's cry in chapter 9 — how can a man be right with God? — is the question every religion on earth claims to answer. MacArthur walks through Job's agony: a blameless, upright man who loses everything and still cannot stand before a holy Judge. Being good, even the best a man can be, never settles the issue. Only the gospel gives the true answer to that question.
2. All Religion Says 'Be Good' — Bildad's Answer
Job's friend Bildad gives religion's universal reply: be pure and upright, and God will rouse Himself for you. Be better, try harder, establish your own righteousness. MacArthur names this the broad way — it promises heaven and leads to hell. Every false gospel, whatever its wrapper, is a flavor of this same answer.
3. Luther's Tormented Search for Merit
Five hundred years before this sermon, Martin Luther tortured himself trying to earn grace — meager food, sleepless vigils, endless six-hour confessions, the Scala Sancta on his knees, the treasury of merit. The more he tried, the more he hated God. Then Galatians 3:11 broke through: the just shall live by faith. The Reformation was born from that one verse landing on one tormented conscience.
4. There Is No Other Gospel — Under Judgment
Paul's amazement in Galatians 1:6–9 is our Lord's own: anyone — even an angel from heaven — who preaches a different gospel is anathema, cursed. MacArthur names the modern versions plainly: natural theology, the wider mercy view, and the new perspective that calls substitutionary atonement 'paganism.' A different Jesus, a different Spirit, a different gospel — and evangelicals bear it beautifully. Scripture doubles the curse instead.
5. Heaven Celebrates Only One Gospel
MacArthur ends in Revelation 5, where heaven's entire worship centers on one thing: the Lamb who was slain, who purchased men for God with His own blood. Substitutionary atonement is the only gospel celebrated in heaven — settled not 500 years ago at the Reformation, but 2,000 years ago at the cross. Worthy is the Lamb: that song has no second verse about your merit.
💬 Discussion Questions
Job knew he was blameless by human standards yet still asked how a man can be right with God. Where do you catch yourself quietly answering that question with Bildad's answer — be good enough?
Luther hated God until 'the just shall live by faith' broke through. What does it tell you about the human heart that religious effort made the problem worse, not better?
Heaven sings one song about the slain Lamb. How should the exclusivity of that gospel shape the way you speak about Christ to people counting on another way?
There is only one gospel — the one heaven celebrates. Stop adding your merit to Christ's finished work and cast yourself on grace alone.
