Galatians 1:11 – “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is making an important claim about the message he has been preaching. He is telling the Galatians that the gospel he shared with them was not something made up by people or developed through human reasoning. It came directly from God.

This is a crucial point because the false teachers in Galatia were likely accusing Paul of distorting the gospel or making it up himself. They wanted to discredit his authority so that they could push their version of the gospel—a version that required Gentiles to follow Jewish laws in addition to believing in Jesus.

Paul is making it clear: the gospel is not a man-made philosophy, tradition, or religious system. It was revealed by God Himself. This means that it cannot be changed or improved by human ideas. The message Paul preached—salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone—came straight from God and should not be altered.

Historical Context

At the time Paul was writing this letter, many people followed religious systems that were based on human traditions, rules, and philosophies. In the Roman and Greek world, various religious groups had their own ideas about how to please the gods. The Jewish people, too, had developed a system of religious laws that many believed were necessary for salvation.

The false teachers in Galatia (often called Judaizers) were telling Gentile believers that faith in Jesus was not enough—they needed to obey Jewish laws, like circumcision and dietary restrictions. This teaching was based on human tradition, not divine revelation.

Paul, however, was not teaching a gospel that had been passed down through religious leaders or created by human thought. He received it directly from Jesus Christ, as he will explain in the next verses. This gave his message absolute authority because it was not dependent on human interpretation.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several key truths:

1. The gospel comes from God, not people. The message of salvation is not a human invention—it is God’s plan, revealed through Jesus Christ.
2. God’s truth is unchangeable. Since the gospel is from God, it cannot be modified or adapted to fit human preferences. Any attempt to alter it results in a false gospel.
3. Paul’s authority comes from divine revelation. He was not just another religious teacher sharing his opinions—he was speaking on behalf of God.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s phrase “I want you to know” is a way of emphasizing that what he is about to say is important. This is not just a casual statement—it is something the Galatians need to understand clearly.

The contrast between “the gospel I preached” and “not of human origin” highlights the divine nature of Paul’s message. By making this contrast, Paul is setting up his argument that the gospel stands apart from all human teachings and religious traditions.

Paul’s use of the word “gospel” (Greek: euangelion) reminds the reader that this is good news. It is not another human-made religion but a divine message of salvation that brings life and freedom.

Biblical Cross-References

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (God’s Word, including the gospel, comes from Him, not from human ideas.)
• Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (The gospel has divine power.)
• John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (The message of salvation is revealed through Christ alone.)
• 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 – “What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit.” (The gospel is revealed by God, not by human wisdom.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a reminder that the gospel is not just one of many religious options—it is the one true message of salvation, given by God Himself. In today’s world, many people try to reshape Christianity to fit modern culture, adding or removing elements to make it more acceptable. Paul’s words remind us that we don’t have the right to change the gospel.

It also means that when we share our faith, we don’t have to rely on human reasoning or persuasive arguments alone. The power of the gospel is not in how well we present it but in the fact that it is God’s truth.

Finally, this verse encourages us to trust in God’s revelation rather than in human traditions, opinions, or feelings. The gospel does not change based on what is popular or widely accepted. It remains the same because it comes from God.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in the fact that He revealed the gospel to us. He did not leave people to figure out salvation on their own or rely on human wisdom. Instead, He made His plan clear by sending Jesus Christ and revealing His truth through the apostles.

Because the gospel is from God, it is perfect, trustworthy, and sufficient. It is not a message of uncertainty or human effort—it is a message of grace and assurance. God’s love is shown in the fact that He gives people the truth they need, not the ideas they want to hear.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul is emphasizing that the gospel he preaches is not man-made because it comes directly from Jesus Christ. In Galatians 1:12, he will go on to explain that he received this message “by revelation from Jesus Christ.”

This connects with Jesus’ own teaching in John 7:16, where He said, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me.” Just as Jesus’ message came from the Father, Paul’s message comes directly from Christ.

Paul’s words also remind us that the gospel is not about human religious efforts—it is about what Jesus has done. Salvation is not found in laws, traditions, or human wisdom. It is found in Jesus alone.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why is it important to know that the gospel is not of human origin?
2. How does this verse challenge the idea that all religions lead to God?
3. What are some ways people today try to change or adapt the gospel?
4. How can we be sure we are following the true gospel and not a human-made version?
5. What does this verse teach us about Paul’s authority as an apostle?