Dublin, OH
Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
1:1-9 Opening. Paul's brief opening includes a greeting (vv. 1-5), after which he addresses the crisis in the Galatian church (vv. 6-9).
1:1-5 Greeting. Many of the familiar elements of Paul's greetings are present here (e.g., "grace and peace"), but this is probably the most muted of all of Paul's greetings to churches: there is no thanksgiving or reference to the Galatians' faith, hope, or love.
1:1 apostle. This indicates Paul's authority as one commissioned by God ("apostle," lit., "one who is sent") and entrusted with the sacred deposit of the gospel. On apostleship, see notes on Matt. 10:2; Acts 1:20; Rom. 1:1. Paul's apostleship is especially important in Galatians because the false teachers have evidently raised questions about whether he should really be called an apostle (Gal. 2:7-9). not from men nor through man. Paul stresses both here and in 1:11-12, 16-17, 19 that he received the gospel directly from the Lord, not secondhand.
1:2 all the brothers . . . with me. Those with Paul agree with the gospel he proclaims, and hence the Galatians are mistaken if they accept the false gospel that demands circumcision for salvation. the churches of Galatia. This probably refers to the churches of Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. (See Introduction: Purpose, Occasion, and Background, and the map.)
1:3 Paul, as he often does in his letters, wishes his audience grace (God's unmerited favor) and peace (God's positive blessing of well-being). See notes on John 14:27 and Rom. 1:7.
1:4 gave himself for our sins. The saving work of Christ on the cross is in the forefront of Paul's mind and therefore shows up here at the very beginning of the letter. Jesus not only saves Christians from their sins but also sets them free from being slaves of this world. Paul will later explain that in wanting to be under the law, the Galatians are effectively wanting to stay anchored in this present evil age (3:22-26; 4:1-11), which is the state of the world apart from Christ until his return.
1:5 to whom be the glory. This is not just a formulaic expression but reveals Paul's concern to defend and preserve this central truth of Scripture: that God chose Israel and the church for his own name's sake, redeemed his people in Christ for his praise and glory, and calls believers to declare his majesty in the world. Those who have led the Galatians astray are doing so to "make a good showing in the flesh" (6:12), whereas Paul will conclude the letter by stating that his sole desire is to give all the glory to Christ (6:14).
