Galatians 1:10: Do You Seek the Approval of God or Men?
- Edward D. Andrews
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Paul’s Immediate Concern and the Stakes of the Question
Galatians opens with urgency because the gospel itself was under attack. Paul states the conflict plainly: “For 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 would not be a slave of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). This verse does not allow a middle category. A person cannot belong to Christ while living as a servant of public opinion. The gospel announces God’s verdict about sin and salvation; man-centered religion tries to reshape that verdict into something socially acceptable. Paul’s statement draws a line between the true gospel and any message that bends under pressure.
What It Means to Be a Slave of Christ
Paul does not use soft language. A “slave of Christ” belongs to Christ, answers to Christ, and obeys Christ. This identity confronts the modern desire to keep autonomy while adding religious benefits. Scripture teaches that Christ bought believers with His blood (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Ownership is the point. Therefore the Christian’s aim is to please the Lord, not to manage reputation. When a person fears losing status, friendships, or platform, that fear becomes a rival lord. Jesus warned that anyone who is ashamed of Him and His words will face His shame at (Mark 8:38). The cure is not bravado; it is settled allegiance that values Christ above all.
How Man-Pleasing Corrupts the Gospel
Man-pleasing does not always look like blatant denial. Often it looks like careful editing. The call to repentance becomes vague. The exclusivity of Christ is softened into “one option among many.” Sexual holiness is muted. Judgment is ignored. Yet Scripture teaches that the message entrusted to the apostles must be guarded, not revised (2 Timothy 1:13-14). Paul pronounces a curse on anyone who preaches a different gospel, even if it sounds spiritual (Galatians 1:8-9). The reason is simple: a modified gospel cannot save, because it no longer presents the real Christ and the real remedy for sin.
The Practical Path: Fear Jehovah, Not the Crowd
The fear of man collapses when the fear of Jehovah governs the conscience. “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). That fear is not terror for the faithful; it is reverent submission to God’s authority. When God’s Word rules, the believer can honor people without being owned by them. The apostolic pattern is clear: when commanded to silence Christ, they answered, “We must obey God as ruler rather than men” (Acts 5:29). This is not arrogance; it is loyalty. A Christian cannot be faithful while treating human approval as a necessity for identity.
The Fruit of God-Pleasing Obedience
When believers aim to please God, they gain courage, clarity, and stability. Courage, because the gospel is worth the cost (Romans 1:16). Clarity, because truth cannot be negotiated (John 17:17). Stability, because God’s judgment is final and His reward is sure (2 Corinthians 5:10). This frees the Christian to speak with both conviction and gentleness, refusing compromise while practicing love (2 Timothy 2:24-26). The Christian does not need the crowd’s permission to obey Christ.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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