Galatians1
New International Version
1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
2and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6I am astonished 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—
7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8But 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!
9As 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!
10Am 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.
11I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.
12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
15But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased
16to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
17I 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.
18Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.
19I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.
20I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21Then I went to Syria and Cilicia.
22I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
23They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
24And they praised God because of me.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Galatians 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle Paul asserts his apostolic character against such as lessened it. (1–5). He reproves the Galatians for revolting from the gospel of Christ under the influence of evil teachers. (6–9). He proves the Divine authority of his doctrine and mission; and declares what he was before his conversion and calling. (10–14). And how he proceeded after it. (15–24).
vv1-5
St. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ; he was expressly appointed by him, consequently by God the Father, who is one with him in respect of his Divine nature, and who appointed Christ as Mediator. Grace, includes God's good-will towards us, and his good work upon us; and peace, all that inward comfort, or outward prosperity, which is really needful for us. They come from God the Father, as the Fountain, through Jesus Christ. But observe, first grace, and then peace; there can be no true peace without grace. Christ gave himself for our sins, to make atonement for us: this the justice of God required, and to this he freely submitted. Here is to be observed the infinite greatness of the price bestowed, and then it will appear plainly, that the power of sin is so great, that it could by no means be put away except the Son of God be given for it. He that considers these things well, understands that sin is a thing the most horrible that can be expressed; which ought to move us, and make us afraid indeed. Especially mark well the words, “for our sins.” For here our weak nature starts back, and would first be made worthy by her own works. It would bring him that is whole, and not him that has need of a physician. Not only to redeem us from the wrath of God, and the curse of the law; but also to recover us from wicked practices and customs, to which we are naturally enslaved. But it is in vain for those who are not delivered from this present evil world by the sanctification of the Spirit, to expect that they are freed from its condemnation by the blood of Jesus.
vv6-9
Those who would establish any other way to heaven than what the gospel of Christ reveals, will find themselves wretchedly mistaken. The apostle presses upon the Galatians a due sense of their guilt in forsaking the gospel way of justification; yet he reproves with tenderness, and represents them as drawn into it by the arts of some that troubled them. In reproving others, we should be faithful, and yet endeavour to restore them in the spirit of meekness. Some would set up the works of the law in the place of Christ's righteousness, and thus they corrupted Christianity. The apostle solemnly denounces, as accursed, every one who attempts to lay so false a foundation. All other gospels than that of the grace of Christ, whether more flattering to self-righteous pride, or more favourable to worldly lusts, are devices of Satan. And while we declare that to reject the moral law as a rule of life, tends to dishonour Christ, and destroy true religion, we must also declare, that all dependence for justification on good works, whether real or supposed, is as fatal to those who persist in it. While we are zealous for good works, let us be careful not to put them in the place of Christ's righteousness, and not to advance any thing which may betray others into so dreadful a delusion.
vv10-14
In preaching the gospel, the apostle sought to bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. But Paul would not attempt to alter the doctrine of Christ, either to gain their favour, or to avoid their fury. In so important a matter we must not fear the frowns of men, nor seek their favour, by using words of men's wisdom. Concerning the manner wherein he received the gospel, he had it by revelation from Heaven. He was not led to Christianity, as many are, merely by education.
Key Words
Παῦλος (Paûlos): (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
ἀπόστολος (apóstolos): a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
ἀπό (apó): "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos): from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
οὐδέ (oudé): not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even
διά (diá): through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ἀλλά (allá): properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
Χριστός (Christós): anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Cross References
Galatians 1Christ giving Himself for our sins parallels Paul's subsequent self-giving declaration in Galatians 2:20.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul's direct commission by the resurrected Jesus, independent of human agency or appointment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Reinforces that Paul's authority came not from men but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Paul received the gospel mystery by direct divine revelation, not from human instruction.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Paul's own description of his intense zeal and violent persecution of the church before conversion.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Paul reflects on his past as a persecutor and blasphemer, saved by sovereign grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The Lord's declaration of Paul as a chosen vessel to bear His name among the Gentiles.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Echoes the prophetic calling and separation from the womb, matching Jeremiah's divine appointment.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Reproves those who readily tolerate or receive 'another Jesus' or a 'different gospel'.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Identifies the false brethren who secretly came in to spy out liberty and trouble the church.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Speaking to please God, who tests hearts, rather than seeking to please human audiences.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul confesses that he is the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
True spiritual revelation comes from the Father, not through the consultation of flesh and blood.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Paul's initial attempt to join the disciples in Jerusalem three years after his conversion.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul introduces himself as a servant and called apostle, set apart for God's gospel.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul denounces those who trouble the Galatians and throw them into confusion.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical context of Paul's return to Jerusalem and his vision in the temple.
Supported by JFB
Identifies James, the Lord's brother, who held a prominent role in the Jerusalem church.
Supported by JFB
Paul's solemn oath and appeal to God as his witness that he is not lying.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The brethren sent Paul away to Tarsus, placing him in the regions of Cilicia.
Supported by JFB