Galatians 1

Commentary

Paul's Greeting to the Galatians

(Ephesians 1:1-2)

1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Paul Defends his Ministry

11But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, 16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Paul Accepted by Apostles and Others

18Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24And they glorified God in me.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), 2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 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— 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”; 7 and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. 8 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. 9 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.

Paul Preaches the Gospel

10 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.

11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. 12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 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. 14 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. 15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace, 16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 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.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. 21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ, 23 but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians

1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, a 4 who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6 I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!

Paul Preaches the Gospel

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. 11 For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. b 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

18 Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, c and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.

21 Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

 

Footnotes:

3 a SBL, BYZ, and TR God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ
11 b Literally not according to man
18 c That is, Peter

Paul's Greeting to the Galatians

(Ephesians 1:1-2)

1Paul, an apostle -- not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who did raise him out of the dead -- 2and all the brethren with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

3Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4who did give himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of the present evil age, according to the will of God even our Father, 5to whom is the glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6I wonder that ye are so quickly removed from Him who did call you in the grace of Christ to another good news; 7that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ; 8but even if we or a messenger out of heaven may proclaim good news to you different from what we did proclaim to you -- anathema let him be! 9as we have said before, and now say again, If any one to you may proclaim good news different from what ye did receive -- anathema let him be!

10for now men do I persuade, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if yet men I did please -- Christ's servant I should not be.

Paul Defends his Ministry

11And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that were proclaimed by me, that it is not according to man, 12for neither did I from man receive it, nor was I taught it, but through a revelation of Jesus Christ,

13for ye did hear of my behaviour once in Judaism, that exceedingly I was persecuting the assembly of God, and wasting it, 14and I was advancing in Judaism above many equals in age in mine own race, being more abundantly zealous of my fathers' deliverances, 15and when God was well pleased -- having separated me from the womb of my mother, and having called me through His grace -- 16to reveal His Son in me, that I might proclaim him good news among the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem unto those who were apostles before me, but I went away to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus,

Paul Accepted by Apostles and Others

18then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days, 19and other of the apostles I did not see, except James, the brother of the Lord. 20And the things that I write to you, lo, before God -- I lie not; 21then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia, 22and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that are in Christ, 23and only they were hearing, that 'he who is persecuting us then, doth now proclaim good news -- the faith that then he was wasting;' 24and they were glorifying God in me.

The Favor of God paraphrase

Introduction and Greetings

¹ From Paul, an apostle—not appointed by people nor sent from human authority, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—² and all the brothers and sisters with me, to the churches in Galatia: ³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel!

I am shocked that you are so quickly deserting the One who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul’s Calling from God

¹¹ I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. ¹² I did not receive it from any human source, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

¹³ For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. ¹⁵ But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. ¹⁷ I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later, I returned to Damascus.

¹⁸ Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie. ²¹ Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. ²² I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. ²³ They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they praised God because of me.

Footnotes:

1.The greeting “grace and peace” (verse 3) reflects a common blessing in Paul’s letters. Grace emphasizes God’s unmerited favor, while peace signifies well-being and wholeness found in a restored relationship with God.

2.The phrase “this present evil age” (verse 4) refers to the spiritual and moral corruption of the world in opposition to God’s kingdom. Jesus’ sacrifice delivers believers from being enslaved to this world’s values and powers.

3.“Another gospel” (verse 6) is a warning against false teachings that distort the true message of salvation by faith in Christ. The Galatians were being swayed by a message that emphasized legalism and adherence to the Mosaic law.

4.Paul’s use of “God’s curse” (verse 8) emphasizes the seriousness of altering the gospel. In the original Greek, anathema denotes a form of divine judgment and exclusion from God’s favor.

5.Paul’s reference to his “previous way of life in Judaism” (verse 13) highlights his zealous persecution of early Christians before his conversion. This emphasizes the radical nature of his transformation by God’s grace.

6.The “revelation from Jesus Christ” (verse 12) underscores that Paul’s message was directly given to him by Christ Himself, not learned from human teachers. This solidifies his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his gospel.

7.Paul’s visit to Peter (verse 18) shows that even though he received his message directly from Jesus, he sought fellowship and confirmation from the apostles, demonstrating unity in the message they preached.

The F.O.G Commentary:

What is the meaning of Galatians 1?

Introduction to Galatians 1

Galatians 1 stands as a powerful declaration of the Gospel’s divine origin and the apostolic authority of Paul. This chapter opens with an unusually stern tone, as Paul confronts a crisis threatening the very essence of the Good News – the attempt to add Jewish legal requirements to faith in the Messiah for salvation. The urgency and passion in Paul’s writing reflect the gravity of the situation in the Galatian churches, where false teachers were undermining the foundation of grace alone through faith alone in Yeshua (Jesus) alone.

The significance of this chapter cannot be overstated, as it establishes crucial principles about the nature of divine revelation, apostolic authority, and the unchangeable character of the Gospel message. Through Paul’s personal testimony and strong defense of his apostleship, we witness both the transformative power of God’s grace and the critical importance of maintaining the Gospel’s purity against any form of legalistic distortion.

Context of Galatians 1

This opening chapter sets the stage for Paul’s entire letter to the Galatians, written around 49-50 AD, shortly after his first missionary journey through the region of Galatia in central Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The immediate context reveals a community of believers being influenced by Jewish teachers (often called “Judaizers”) who insisted that Gentile Christians needed to observe Torah commands, particularly circumcision, to be truly saved.

Within the broader context of the New Testament, Galatians 1 parallels similar themes found in Paul’s other epistles, particularly Romans and 2 Corinthians, where he defends his apostolic authority and the Gospel message. The chapter’s emphasis on direct divine revelation connects to Paul’s unique role in the early church, bridging the gap between the original apostles’ ministry to Israel and the expansion of the Gospel to the Gentile world.

Furthermore, this chapter serves as a crucial historical link in understanding the early church’s struggle to grasp the relationship between the Old and New Covenants. It provides essential background for the Jerusalem Council described in Acts 15, where the early church officially addressed the question of Gentile inclusion in the faith community.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • ἀπόστολος (apostolos) – “apostle” (v.1): The term emphasizes one who is “sent with authority.” Paul’s use here, specifying his appointment “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ,” establishes divine commissioning rather than human delegation. This word carried significant weight in both Jewish (shaliach) and Greco-Roman contexts of authorized representation.
  • χάρις (charis) – “grace” (v.3): More than just favor, this term in Hellenistic Greek often implied a gift that created a social bond. Paul transforms this cultural concept to describe God’s unmerited favor that creates a new covenant relationship through the Messiah.
  • ἐξέληται (exelētai) – “deliver” (v.4): This strong verb, appearing in the aorist subjunctive, carries the sense of rescue by force or power. It echoes Exodus terminology of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, now applied to spiritual deliverance from the present evil age.
  • μετατίθεσθε (metatithesthe) – “turning away” (v.6): A present middle indicative verb suggesting ongoing action. Used in secular Greek for military desertion, it carries a sense of treachery that would have resonated powerfully with Paul’s readers.
  • ἀνάθεμα (anathema) – “accursed” (v.8,9): Derived from the Hebrew חרם (cherem), this term designated something irrevocably given over to divine judgment. Its repetition emphasizes the severity of distorting the Gospel message.
  • εὐηγγελισάμην (euēngelisamēn) – “preached” (v.11): An aorist middle indicative form emphasizing the historical fact of Paul’s gospel proclamation. The middle voice suggests personal involvement and investment in the action.
  • ἀποκάλυψιν (apokalypsin) – “revelation” (v.12): This term implies an unveiling or disclosure of divine truth, emphasizing direct divine communication rather than human transmission. It establishes the supernatural origin of Paul’s gospel message.
  • Ἰουδαϊσμῷ (Ioudaismō) – “Judaism” (v.13): The only occurrence of this term in the New Testament, it refers to the religious system Paul once championed. Its use here emphasizes the radical nature of his transformation.
  • πορθέω (portheō) – “persecute/destroy” (v.13): An imperfect active indicative verb painting a vivid picture of sustained, violent opposition. The word was used of armies devastating cities, emphasizing the severity of Paul’s former actions.

Compare & Contrast

  • The opening self-identification “Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man” (v.1) deliberately contrasts with typical Greco-Roman letter openings. The specific phrase “οὐκ ἀπ᾽ ἀνθρώπων” (not from men) was chosen over potential alternatives like “οὐκ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων” to emphasize origin rather than agency.
  • In verse 4, the phrase “present evil age” (τοῦ αἰῶνος τοῦ ἐνεστῶτος πονηροῦ) employs specific temporal language rather than spatial terms, emphasizing the current era’s temporary nature rather than its geographic extent.
  • The double pronouncement of anathema (v.8-9) uses present tense rather than future, suggesting immediate rather than eschatological judgment. This choice intensifies the warning’s immediacy and severity.
  • Verse 10’s rhetorical question “For am I now seeking the approval of man?” employs πείθω (persuade) rather than ἀρέσκω (please), suggesting active pursuit rather than passive acceptance of approval.
  • The phrase “Gospel I preached” (v.11) uses εὐαγγελισθὲν rather than κηρυχθὲν (proclaimed), emphasizing the content’s nature as good news rather than mere announcement.
  • The description of Paul’s former life (v.13) employs ἀναστροφήν (conduct) rather than βίον (life), emphasizing behavioral patterns rather than mere biological existence.
  • The revelation of Christ (v.16) uses ἐν ἐμοὶ (in me) rather than simply ἐμοὶ (to me), suggesting internal transformation rather than external vision.

Galatians 1 Unique Insights

The chapter contains fascinating parallels with ancient Near Eastern covenant formulae, particularly in its opening declaration of authority and subsequent curse formulations. The double anathema pronouncement in verses 8-9 mirrors ancient treaty curses, where repetition emphasized the gravity of violation.

Early rabbinical sources provide interesting context for Paul’s description of his former zeal. The Mishnah tractate Avot describes similar language of “making a fence around the Torah,” which illuminates Paul’s pre-conversion mindset. His description of being “extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers” echoes the language used to describe Phinehas in Numbers 25:11.

The early church father Chrysostom noted the significance of Paul’s three-year period in Arabia (v.17), connecting it to the three years of Yeshua’s earthly ministry. This parallel suggests a period of divine instruction matching that received by the other apostles, though through direct revelation rather than physical presence.

The chapter also reflects interesting philosophical tensions between divine and human authority common in Hellenistic thought. Paul’s emphasis on direct divine revelation challenged both Jewish concepts of rabbinic succession and Greek philosophical traditions of knowledge transmission.

Archaeological evidence from first-century synagogue inscriptions in Asia Minor reveals the significant Jewish presence and influence Paul was confronting. This helps explain the particular urgency of his message to the Galatian churches.

Galatians 1 Connections to Yeshua

Paul’s dramatic encounter with the risen Messiah forms the centerpiece of this chapter’s testimony to Yeshua’s deity and continuing active role in building His church. The direct revelation Paul received demonstrates that the risen Yeshua continues His teaching ministry through the Holy Spirit, fulfilling His promise in John 16:13-15.

The chapter’s emphasis on grace connects directly to Yeshua’s finished work on the cross. Paul’s insistence that adding requirements to faith effectively nullifies grace echoes Yeshua’s conflicts with religious leaders who similarly emphasized external compliance over heart transformation. This underscores the Messiah’s role in establishing the New Covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34.

Galatians 1 Scriptural Echoes

Paul’s conversion narrative echoes several Old Testament prophetic calls, particularly Jeremiah’s (Jeremiah 1:5) and Isaiah’s (Isaiah 49:1). The language of being set apart from the womb connects his apostolic calling to the prophetic tradition of Israel.

The theme of divine deliverance from the present evil age recalls numerous Exodus motifs and the prophetic hope of יהוה’s intervention (Isaiah 43:1-3). The concept of revelation (ἀποκάλυψις) connects to Daniel’s visions and the prophetic tradition of direct divine communication.

Paul’s emphasis on the Gospel’s unchangeable nature echoes the immutability of God’s word proclaimed in Isaiah 40:8. His defense against accusations of seeking human approval recalls Jeremiah’s similar struggles (Jeremiah 17:15-16).

Galatians 1 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our commitment to the pure Gospel of grace. Are we, like the Galatians, prone to adding human requirements to God’s free gift? Paul’s passionate defense reminds us that the Gospel’s simplicity is its power – salvation comes through faith in Yeshua alone.

Paul’s testimony of transformation from persecutor to apostle encourages us that no one is beyond God’s grace. His dramatic change reminds us that encounter with the living Messiah produces radical life transformation. What areas of our lives still need to be surrendered to His transforming power?

The chapter’s emphasis on divine approval over human pleasure challenges our motivations in ministry and daily life. Like Paul, we must ask ourselves whether we seek to please God or gain human approval. This examination leads to greater integrity and freedom in our walk with the Lord.

Did You Know

  • The region of Galatia was named after the Gauls (Celts) who settled there in the 3rd century BC, bringing their distinctive culture and language which persisted alongside Greek well into the Roman period.
  • Paul’s reference to “the churches of Galatia” suggests multiple congregations spread throughout the region, likely established during his first missionary journey with Barnabas.
  • The phrase “not through man” in verse 1 uses a singular form (ἀνθρώπου) rather than plural, possibly specifically refuting claims that Paul needed validation from the Jerusalem apostles.
  • The term “Arabia” in verse 17 likely refers to the Nabataean kingdom, whose capital was Petra, rather than the Arabian Peninsula as we know it today.
  • Paul’s use of the term “Judaism” (Ἰουδαϊσμός) in verse 13 is the first known use of this term in Greek literature to describe the Jewish religion as a system of belief and practice.
  • The fourteen years mentioned in the chapter correspond to significant sabbatical and jubilee cycles in Jewish tradition, possibly adding deeper meaning to Paul’s timeline.
  • Archaeological evidence from first-century Galatia shows strong influence of both Jewish and pagan religious practices, illuminating the complex cultural environment Paul addressed.
  • The Greek word for “perverted” (μεταστρέψαι) in verse 7 was commonly used in papyri for the illegal alteration of legal documents.
  • Paul’s reference to his advanced status in Judaism suggests he may have been a member of the Sanhedrin before his conversion.
  • The chapter’s emphasis on direct divine revelation challenged both Jewish concepts of rabbinic succession and Greek philosophical traditions of knowledge transmission.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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