Galatians 1 1

Galatians 1:1 kjv

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Galatians 1:1 nkjv

Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

Galatians 1:1 niv

Paul, an apostle?sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead?

Galatians 1:1 esv

Paul, an apostle ? not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead ?

Galatians 1:1 nlt

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

Galatians 1 verses

Galatians 1 1 Meaning

Galatians 1:1 presents the foundational assertion of Paul's apostleship, declaring its divine origin and nature. It establishes that his authority and commission did not come from any human source or agency but directly from God the Father and Jesus Christ, who demonstrated His divine power through resurrection from the dead. This bold declaration serves as the bedrock for the challenging message of the letter concerning salvation by grace through faith, directly countering any human-derived authority or law-based Gospel.

Galatians 1 1 Context

Galatians is one of Paul's earliest epistles, written to churches in the region of Galatia (likely South Galatia) who were being swayed by Judaizers—false teachers asserting that Gentile converts must observe Mosaic Law, especially circumcision, to be truly saved. This teaching directly challenged the core of the gospel of grace that Paul preached.

Paul's credibility and the divine origin of his message were under attack. The Judaizers questioned whether he was a "true" apostle, suggesting he lacked the authority of the Jerusalem apostles. Therefore, Galatians 1:1 serves as a foundational declaration of his legitimate, divinely appointed apostleship, immediately establishing the weight of his words. By affirming his direct commission from God, Paul disarms arguments that would dismiss his teachings as merely human invention or secondary revelation. The integrity of his apostolic call is inextricably linked to the truthfulness of the Gospel he proclaimed: justification by faith alone, apart from works of the law. This verse sets the stage for Paul to vehemently defend both his authority and the unadulterated gospel of Christ throughout the letter.

Galatians 1 1 Word Analysis

• Paul (Παῦλος - Paulos): A Greek transliteration of the Roman surname "Paulus," also known by his Hebrew name Saul (Acts 13:9). This self-identification signals his Roman citizenship and likely his outreach to the Gentiles. It grounds the letter in the identity of its author, who, despite his persecuting past, was dramatically converted and commissioned by Christ.
• an apostle (ἀπόστολος - apostolos): Literally "one sent forth," a messenger, an envoy. In a theological sense, it denotes a special delegate of Christ with divine authority, eyewitness of the resurrected Christ, commissioned to spread the Gospel, and endowed with supernatural power (Eph 4:11, 1 Cor 9:1, 2 Cor 12:12). This title immediately elevates Paul's standing, setting him apart from ordinary teachers.
• not from men (οὐκ ἀπ’ ἀνθρώπων - ouk ap’ anthrōpōn): A forceful negation. The Greek preposition apo (ἀπό) implies "from, away from, by," indicating origin or source. This denies any human being as the source of his call. This is a direct polemic against the Judaizers who challenged his authority by suggesting he was not appointed by the "Jerusalem establishment" or the original apostles. It implies he did not derive his authority from human elections, institutions, or tradition.
• nor through man (οὐδὲ δι’ ἀνθρώπου - oude di’ anthrōpou): Another negation, using the preposition dia (διὰ) which implies "through, by means of, through the agency of." This goes further than the previous phrase by denying any human being as the intermediary or channel for his commission. He was not ordained by other apostles, elders, or any human-initiated ceremony. This reinforces the direct, unmediated nature of his call from God. Together, "not from men nor through man" emphatically shuts down any human-centric claims about his authority.
• but through Jesus Christ (ἀλλὰ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ - alla dia Iēsou Christou): The forceful "but" (alla) provides the emphatic divine counterpoint to the preceding human negations. This directly states the true divine agency behind his apostleship. It highlights Jesus Christ as the absolute, direct, and sufficient source of his authority and commission (Acts 9:3-6, 26:14-18, 1 Cor 15:8).
• and God the Father (καὶ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς - kai Theou Patros): This establishes the co-equality and unity of the Godhead in commissioning Paul. It shows that Jesus Christ did not act independently but as part of the unified divine will. This links Paul's mission to the ultimate authority of God, emphasizing the divine decree and backing behind his entire ministry. It also undergirds the divine truth of the Gospel he preaches.
• who raised Him from the dead (τοῦ ἐγείραντος αὐτὸν ἐκ νεκρῶν - tou egeirantos auton ek nekrōn): This crucial phrase powerfully underscores Christ's supreme divine authority and power, which enables Him to commission apostles. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith (1 Cor 15:3-4), the definitive proof of His victory over sin and death, and His status as the Son of God (Rom 1:4). It validates Christ's ability to impart authority and reveals the eschatological power active in Paul's call and message. The God who raised Jesus from the dead is the same God who sent Paul, authenticating the source of his gospel message.

Galatians 1 1 Bonus Section

• Paul's emphasis on his direct commissioning distinguishes him from the original twelve apostles, who were chosen during Jesus' earthly ministry (Luke 6:13). While their apostleship was also divine, Paul's post-resurrection call by Christ Himself (Acts 9, 22, 26, 1 Cor 9:1, 15:8) highlights the unique and independent nature of his ministry, especially to the Gentiles.
• The phrase "not from men nor through man" can also be seen as countering any perception that Paul's conversion or subsequent ministry was a result of manipulation, self-appointment, or merely the result of Barnabas's introduction to the Jerusalem church (Acts 9:27). It asserts God's sovereign initiative.
• This verse indirectly sets up Galatians 1:11-12, where Paul states that his Gospel was not received "from any man" but through "revelation of Jesus Christ," reinforcing the divine origin of both his message and his authority.

Galatians 1 1 Commentary

Galatians 1:1 is a formidable declaration of apostolic authority, essential for setting the stage for Paul's defense of the pure Gospel. It isn't mere introductory pleasantries; it's a polemical assertion directly challenging those who undermined Paul's status and thus his message. Paul's apostleship did not stem from popular acclaim, human education, or an appointment by an earthly council. Instead, it was an immediate, unmediated, and decisive act of the triune God—specifically, through the resurrected Jesus Christ and God the Father. This divine origin provides the unwavering foundation for the controversial truths Paul is about to proclaim regarding justification by faith apart from the works of the law. His message, therefore, carries divine weight, directly from the ultimate authority who demonstrated His power by raising Christ from the dead, authenticating His messenger and His saving grace.