◄ Galatians 1:10 ►
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Study Bible
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God?

Paul addresses the Galatians with a rhetorical question, emphasizing the importance of divine approval over human approval. In the context of his ministry, Paul faced opposition from Judaizers who sought to impose Jewish customs on Gentile converts. This question highlights the tension between adhering to human traditions and following God's will. The early church often struggled with this balance, as seen in Acts 15 during the Jerusalem Council. Paul's commitment to God's approval is a theme echoed in 1 Thessalonians 2:4, where he states that he speaks not to please men, but God who tests hearts.

1Th 2:4 Instead, we speak as those approved by God…
Jhn 5:44 How can you believe if you accept glory from one another…

Or am I striving to please men?

This phrase underscores the potential conflict between pleasing people and serving God. In the Greco-Roman world, social status and honor were highly valued, and leaders often sought public approval. Paul contrasts this cultural norm with the Christian call to prioritize God's will. The apostle's life, marked by persecution and hardship (2 Corinthians 11:23-28), serves as evidence of his commitment to God's mission over human accolades. This idea is further supported by Jesus' teaching in John 5:44, where He questions how one can believe if they seek glory from one another rather than from God.

Eph 6:6 And do this not only to please them while they are watching,…
Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being,…

If I were still trying to please men,

Paul reflects on his past as a Pharisee, where he once sought the approval of religious leaders (Philippians 3:4-6). His transformation on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) marked a shift from seeking human approval to serving Christ. This change illustrates the transformative power of the Gospel and the call to a new identity in Christ. The use of "still" implies a past life that was characterized by a different set of values and priorities, now abandoned for the sake of the Gospel.

1Th 2:6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else…
Rom 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself…

I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul concludes with a definitive statement about his allegiance. The term "servant" (Greek: doulos) implies total devotion and submission to Christ, akin to a bondservant's relationship with their master. This servitude is not burdensome but a willing and joyful commitment, as seen in Romans 1:1, where Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. The concept of servanthood is central to Christian discipleship, reflecting Jesus' own example in Mark 10:45, where He came not to be served, but to serve. This phrase encapsulates the essence of Christian identity and mission, prioritizing God's will above all else.

1Co 7:22-23 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord…
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
- The apostle who wrote the letter to the Galatians, addressing issues of legalism and the true gospel.

2. Galatia
- A region in modern-day Turkey where the recipients of the letter lived. The churches there were struggling with false teachings.

3. False Teachers
- Individuals who were distorting the gospel by insisting on adherence to Jewish law for salvation.

4. Christ
- Central to Paul's message, emphasizing that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

5. The Early Church
- The broader context in which Paul was writing, dealing with the integration of Gentile believers and Jewish traditions.
Teaching Points
Seeking God's Approval
As believers, our primary aim should be to seek God's approval rather than human approval. This requires a heart aligned with God's will and a commitment to His truth.

Servanthood in Christ
Being a servant of Christ means prioritizing His commands and teachings over societal pressures or expectations. This servanthood is marked by faithfulness and obedience.

The Danger of People-Pleasing
Striving to please people can lead to compromising the gospel message. Believers must guard against altering their faith to fit cultural norms or expectations.

The True Gospel
Paul emphasizes the importance of adhering to the true gospel, which is salvation through faith in Christ alone, not through works or adherence to the law.

Courage in Faith
Standing firm in faith often requires courage, especially when facing opposition or misunderstanding. Believers are called to be bold in their witness for Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does seeking the approval of God over men impact your daily decisions and interactions?

2. In what ways can you identify and resist the temptation to please people rather than God in your life?

3. How does understanding your identity as a servant of Christ influence your priorities and actions?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are adhering to the true gospel in your personal faith journey?

5. How can the examples of Paul and other apostles inspire you to stand firm in your faith amidst societal pressures?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 5:29
- Peter and the apostles declare that they must obey God rather than men, echoing Paul's sentiment in Galatians 1:10.

1 Thessalonians 2:4
- Paul speaks about being entrusted with the gospel and not seeking to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Romans 12:2
- Encourages believers not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, aligning with the idea of seeking God's approval.

Colossians 3:23
- Advises doing everything as if working for the Lord, not for human masters, reinforcing the focus on pleasing God.

James 4:4
- Warns against friendship with the world, which is enmity with God, similar to Paul's warning against seeking human approval.
Sermons
A Ministerial AlternativeProfessor Robertson Smith.Galatians 1:10
Apostolic UnpopularityEmilius Bayley, B. D.Galatians 1:10
Applause of Conscience BestA. Faringdon.Galatians 1:10
Attempts At Men-Pleasing not Always SuccessfulGalatians 1:10
Christian FirmnessPrebendary Griffith.Galatians 1:10
Godless MinistersT. Guthrie, D. D.Galatians 1:10
Man-Pleasing a Vice in a Moral ReformerNorth British ReviewGalatians 1:10
Men-PleasingTrapp.Galatians 1:10
Men-Pleasing -- its CureGeo. Macdonald.Galatians 1:10
Men-Pleasing -- its DangerSteele.Galatians 1:10
Men-Pleasing CondemnedA. Faringdon.Galatians 1:10
Men-Pleasing the Source of UnfaithfulnessT. Manton.Galatians 1:10
Ministerial Faithfulness and DiscretionEmilius Bayley, B. D.Galatians 1:10
Our Duty with Respect to Public OpinionCanon Liddon.Galatians 1:10
Persuading GodProfessor Robertson Smith.Galatians 1:10
Pleasing Men or Serving ChristT. Guthrie, D. D.Galatians 1:10
Reward of Men-PleasingGalatians 1:10
Right and Wrong Men-PleasingBishop Christopher Wordsworth.Galatians 1:10
Sinners not to be FlatteredA. Faringdon.Galatians 1:10
The Alternative to Men-PleasingT. Watson.Galatians 1:10
The Servant of ChristGalatians 1:10
The Servant of ChristCanon Liddon.Galatians 1:10
Truth Better than FlatteryA. Faringdon.Galatians 1:10
Two Earnest QuestionsJ. P. Lange, D. D.Galatians 1:10
Uncomfortable PreachingArchbishop Whately.Galatians 1:10
Occasion of the EpistleR. Finlayson Galatians 1:6-10
Paul's Intolerance of Any Other GospelR.M. Edgar Galatians 1:6-10
People
Cephas, Galatians, James, Paul, Peter
Places
Cilicia, Damascus, Galatia, Jerusalem, Judea, Syria
Topics
Approval, Arguments, Aspire, Bondman, Bondservant, Bond-servant, Christ, Christ's, Desire, Favor, Favour, God's, Man-pleaser, Man's, Persuade, Please, Pleased, Pleasing, Pleasure, Satisfy, Seek, Seeking, Servant, Striving, Trying, Using, Win, Wouldn't, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Galatians 1:10

     5863   flattery
     8344   servanthood, in believers
     8460   pleasing God

Library
Our Manifesto
TO ME it is a pitiful sight to see Paul defending himself as an apostle; and doing this, not against the gainsaying world, but against cold-hearted members of the church. They said that he was not truly an apostle, for he had not seen the Lord; and they uttered a great many other things derogatory to him. To maintain his claim to the apostleship, he was driven to commence his epistles with "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ," though his work was a self-evident proof of his call. If, after God has …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Answer to Mr. W's Fifth Objection.
5. The consideration that none of these raised persons did or could, after the return to their bodies, tell any tales of their separate existence; otherwise the Evangelists had not been silent in this main point, &c. p. 32. None of these persons, Mr. W. says, told any tales of their separate existence. So I suppose with him. As for the two first: How should they? being only, as Mr. W. says, an insignificant boy and girl, of twelve years of age, or thereabouts. Or if they did, the Evangelists were …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

The Epistles of St. Paul
WHEN we pass from primitive Christian preaching to the epistles of St. Paul, we are embarrassed not by the scantiness but by the abundance of our materials. It is not possible to argue that the death of Christ has less than a central, or rather than the central and fundamental place, in the apostle's gospel. But before proceeding to investigate more closely the significance he assigns to it, there are some preliminary considerations to which it is necessary to attend. Attempts have often been made, …
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Institutions of Jesus.
That Jesus was never entirely absorbed in his apocalyptic ideas is proved, moreover, by the fact that at the very time he was most preoccupied with them, he laid with rare forethought the foundation of a church destined to endure. It is scarcely possible to doubt that he himself chose from among his disciples those who were pre-eminently called the "apostles," or the "twelve," since on the day after his death we find them forming a distinct body, and filling up by election the vacancies that had …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Fourth Conversation
The manner of going to God. * Hearty renunciation. * Prayer and praise prevent discouragement. * Sanctification in common business. * Prayer and the presence of God. * The whole substance of religion. * Self-estimation * Further personal experience. He discoursed with me very frequently, and with great openness of heart, concerning his manner of going to GOD, whereof some part is related already. He told me, that all consists in one hearty renunciation of everything which we are sensible does not …
Brother Lawrence—The Practice of the Presence of God

Exposition of St. Paul's Words, Gal. I. 8.
Exposition of St. Paul's Words, Gal. i. 8. [21.] When therefore certain of this sort wandering about provinces and cities, and carrying with them their venal errors, had found their way to Galatia, and when the Galatians, on hearing them, nauseating the truth, and vomiting up the manna of Apostolic and Catholic doctrine, were delighted with the garbage of heretical novelty, the apostle putting in exercise the authority of his office, delivered his sentence with the utmost severity, "Though we," he …
Vincent of Lérins—The COMMONITORY OF Vincent of Lérins

A Reasonable Service
TEXT: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."--Romans 12:1. There is perhaps no chapter in the New Testament, certainly none in this epistle, with which we are more familiar than this one which is introduced by the text; and yet, however familiar we may be with the statements, if we read them carefully and study them honestly they must always come to us not only in the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

The Praise of Men.
"They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."--John xii. 43. This is spoken of the chief rulers of the Jews, who, though they believed in Christ's Divine mission, were afraid to confess Him, lest they should incur temporal loss and shame from the Pharisees. The censure passed by St. John on these persons is too often applicable to Christians at the present day; perhaps, indeed, there is no one among us who has not at some time or other fallen under it. We love the good opinion …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Sudden Conversions.
"By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain."--1 Cor. xv. 10. We can hardly conceive that grace, such as that given to the great Apostle who speaks in the text, would have been given in vain; that is, we should not expect that it would have been given, had it been foreseen and designed by the Almighty Giver that it would have been in vain. By which I do not mean, of course, to deny that God's gifts are oftentimes abused and wasted by man, which …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

So Great Blindness, Moreover, Hath Occupied Men's Minds...
43. So great blindness, moreover, hath occupied men's minds, that to them it is too little if we pronounce some lies not to be sins; but they must needs pronounce it to be sin in some things if we refuse to lie: and to such a pass have they been brought by defending lying, that even that first kind which is of all the most abominably wicked they pronounce to have been used by the Apostle Paul. For in the Epistle to the Galatians, written as it was, like the rest, for doctrine of religion and piety, …
St. Augustine—On Lying

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Early History of Particular Churches.
A.D. 67-A.D. 500 Section 1. The Church of England. [Sidenote: St. Paul's visit to England.] The CHURCH OF ENGLAND is believed, with good reason, to owe its foundation to the Apostle St. Paul, who probably came to this country after his first imprisonment at Rome. The writings of Tertullian, and others in the second and third centuries speak of Christianity as having spread as far as the islands of Britain, and a British king named Lucius is known to have embraced the Faith about the middle of …
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

It is Also Written, "But I Say unto You...
28. It is also written, "But I say unto you, Swear not at all." But the Apostle himself has used oaths in his Epistles. [2342] And so he shows how that is to be taken which is said, "I say unto you, Swear not at all:" that is, lest by swearing one come to a facility in swearing, from facility to a custom, and so from a custom there be a downfall into perjury. And therefore he is not found to have sworn except in writing, where there is more wary forethought, and no precipitate tongue withal. And …
St. Augustine—On Lying

Easter Monday
Text: Acts 10, 34-43. 34 And Peter opened his mouth, and said: Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. 36 The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)--37 that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Colossians 3, 12-17. 12 Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the Word …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Extracts No. vii.
[In this number the objector gives the whole ground of his objections, and the reasons for his doubts: which he states as follows, viz. "1. Mankind, in all ages of the world, have been, and still are prone to superstition. "2. It cannot be denied, but that a part of mankind at least, have believed, and still are believing in miracles and revelation, which are spurious. "3. The facts on which religion is predicated are unlike every thing of which we have any positive knowledge." Under the first …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

Chrysostom Evades Election to a Bishopric, and Writes his Work on the Priesthood.
About this time several bishoprics were vacant in Syria, and frequent depositions took place with the changing fortunes of orthodoxy and Arianism, and the interference of the court. The attention of the clergy and the people turned to Chrysostom and his friend Basil as suitable candidates for the episcopal office, although they had not the canonical age of thirty. Chrysostom shrunk from the responsibilities and avoided an election by a pious fraud. He apparently assented to an agreement with Basil …
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

The Apostle's Position and Circumstances
PHILIPPIANS i. 12-20 Disloyal "brethren"--Interest of the paragraph--The victory of patience--The Praetorian sentinel--Separatism, and how it was met--St Paul's secret--His "earnest expectation"--"Christ magnified"--"In my body" St Paul has spoken his affectionate greeting to the Philippians, and has opened to them the warm depths of his friendship with them in the Lord. What he feels towards them "in the heart of Christ Jesus," what he prays for them in regard of the growth and fruit of their …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Jesus' First Residence at Capernaum.
^D John II. 12. ^d 12 After this he went down to Capernaum [The site of Capernaum is generally conceded to be marked by the ruins now called Tel-Hum. Jesus is said to have gone "down" because Cana is among the hills, and Capernaum was by the Lake of Galilee, about six hundred feet below sea level], he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples [There is much dispute as to what the New Testament writers mean by the phrase the "brethren of the Lord." This phrase, found in any other than a …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Indeed in all Spiritual Delights, which Unmarried Women Enjoy...
27. Indeed in all spiritual delights, which unmarried women enjoy, their holy conversation ought also to be with caution; lest haply, though their life be not evil through haughtiness, their report be evil through negligence. Nor are they to be listened to, whether they be holy men or women, when (upon occasion of their neglect in some matter being blamed, through which it comes to pass that they fall into evil suspicion, from which they know that their life is far removed) they say that it is enough …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

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