Note 1 at Gal. 1:6: Normally, Paul opened his letters with thanksgiving, prayer, and praise for the saints within his salutation (1 Cor. 1:1-5; Phil. 1:1-5; Col. 1:1-4; 1 Th. 1:1-3; 2 Th. 1:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:1-3). In this letter to the Galatians, Paul dispenses with polite introductions after only one sentence (vv. 1-5). He quickly delivers a stinging curse against anyone who would dare to preach another gospel than what Paul had preached (vv. 8-9). This, no doubt, shocked the Galatians and held their attention throughout the rest of the letter.

In Paul's letter to the Galatians, Paul basically deals with the same truths as presented in Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Hebrews, but he delivers these truths in a near brutal way in this letter which he didn't employ in these other letters. Paul was very concerned that these Galatians had, or would soon, fall from grace (Gal. 4:11; 5:2-4).

Note 2 at Gal. 1:6: The Greek word translated "marvel" in this verse is THAUMAZO (thou-mad-zo) and carries the idea of that which would "evoke surprise." It is translated in various translations by the phrases "I marvel; I am amazed; I am astonished; I am surprised at you!" (KJV; LB; NIV; TEV). Why was Paul surprised? Not because they were deserting some doctrine of theology, but because they were deserting GOD HIMSELF. Whenever a person removes himself from the grace that is revealed in Christ, he removes himself from God Himself.

Note 3 at Gal. 1:6: Certainly Paul had experienced people falling away from their faith in Christ to follow the self-salvation which he denounces in this letter. However, he was shocked to see how soon it had happened with the Galatians.

Note 4 at Gal. 1:6: In the Greek, the removing that Paul is rebuking is in the present tense, which indicates that the removing is in progress but is not yet complete. In other words, the Galatians were in a state of double mindedness with their ears turned toward a false gospel. Paul was going to do everything he could through this letter to turn their heart back to God.

Note 5 at Gal. 1:6: Paul uses the words "grace" and "gospel" interchangeably in this verse. The grace of God is the gospel (see note 5 at Acts 20:24, p. 698). Without grace, there is no good news for a sinful world.

Note 6 at Gal. 1:6: There are two different Greek words used in verses 6 and 7 for the word "another." In verse 6 the Greek word for "another" is HETEROS (het-er-os) and means "another of a DIFFERENT kind." That's why the NIV translates this phrase as "turning to a DIFFERENT gospel." The Greek adjective used in verse 7 for "another" is ALLOS (al-los) and means "another of the SAME kind." The Galatians were not turning toward a gospel that was similar in nature to the one they had already received. They were turning to a totally different gospel which verse 7 states "is really no gospel at all" (NIV).

Paul made it very clear in Romans 11:6 that we are either saved by grace or by works, but not by a combination of the two (see note 2 at Rom. 11:6, p. 820). So, any gospel that combines works of the law with grace for justification is no longer the same gospel. In other words, Paul is saying that there is no room for additions or corrections to the gospel of grace which he preached. It is perfect as presented. ANY change perverts it.