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;)

KJV (with Strong's)

Paul {G3972}, an apostle {G652},(not {G3756} of {G575} men {G444}, neither {G3761} by {G1223} man {G444}, but {G235} by {G1223} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, and {G2532} God {G2316} the Father {G3962}, who {G3588} raised {G1453} him {G846} from {G1537} the dead {G3498};)

Complete Jewish Bible

From: Sha’ul, an emissary — I received my commission not from human beings or through human mediation but through Yeshua the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead — also from all the brothers with me

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 1:1 serves as Paul's authoritative opening to his letter, immediately establishing the divine, rather than human, origin of his apostleship. He asserts that his commission as an apostle comes directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, specifically highlighting God's power in raising Christ from the dead, thereby validating the supreme authority and divine nature of the gospel message he is about to defend.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as the customary ancient epistolary salutation, yet Paul imbues it with profound theological significance that sets the tone for the entire letter. Unlike many of his other epistles where he might include co-senders or more extended greetings, Paul immediately and singularly asserts his apostolic authority. This direct and forceful declaration is crucial because the core issue addressed in Galatians is the challenge to Paul's authority and, by extension, the integrity of the gospel he preached. By establishing his divine commission upfront, Paul preemptively counters the arguments of the Judaizers who questioned his apostleship and sought to undermine his message of salvation by grace through faith alone. The salutation is not merely a formality but a foundational argument for the divine origin of the Galatian gospel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The churches in Galatia (likely a Roman province encompassing various cities in central Asia Minor) were facing a severe theological crisis. After Paul had preached the gospel of grace and established these communities, false teachers, often identified as Judaizers, infiltrated them. These individuals, likely Jewish Christians, insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and observe other aspects of the Mosaic Law to be truly saved or fully righteous. This teaching directly contradicted Paul's gospel of justification by faith apart from works of the Law. In the Greco-Roman world, the authority of a messenger was paramount to the acceptance of their message. Paul's emphatic declaration of a divine, rather than human, appointment directly addresses the challenge to his legitimacy, which was a common tactic used by opponents to discredit a teacher and his teachings.

* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several key themes that permeate the letter to the Galatians. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Authority**, emphasizing that Paul's apostleship and the gospel he proclaims are not human inventions but divinely revealed truths. This directly combats the human-derived legalism of the Judaizers. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Centrality of Jesus Christ**, not merely as a historical figure but as the active agent of Paul's commissioning and the very content of the gospel. The mention of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a powerful affirmation of His divine power and authority, which is foundational to the Christian faith and Paul's personal [encounter with the risen Christ](/acts/9 "Acts 9 - Paul's Conversion and Calling"). This theme is further developed as Paul defends the sufficiency of Christ's work for salvation throughout the letter, particularly in passages like [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith"). Lastly, the verse implicitly introduces the theme of **Gospel Purity**, as Paul's divinely authorized message stands in stark contrast to the "different gospel" (which is really no gospel at all) that the Galatians were beginning to embrace, as he will explicitly state in [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - Warning Against a Different Gospel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **apostle (Greek, _apóstolos'_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to send forth," an apostle is a delegate, a messenger, or an ambassador. In the New Testament, it signifies one specially commissioned by Christ with authority to preach the Gospel and establish churches, often accompanied by miraculous powers. Paul's use here emphasizes his direct, divine commission, distinguishing him from those whose authority might be humanly derived or merely self-proclaimed.
* **by (Greek, _diá'_):** This preposition, used twice in the verse, denotes the channel or means through which an action proceeds. Its first use in "neither by man" (G3761 `oudé` G1223 `diá` G444 `ánthrōpos`) emphatically negates human agency in Paul's calling. Its second use in "but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father" (G235 `allá` G1223 `diá` G2424 `Iēsoûs` G5547 `Christós`, G2532 `kaí` G2316 `theós` G3588 `ho` G3962 `patḗr`) powerfully affirms the divine agency. The contrast highlights that his apostleship was not merely *not from* human origin (G575 `apó` `ánthrōpos`), but specifically *through* the direct action of Christ and God the Father.
* **raised (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb means to waken, rouse, or lift up, often from sleep, disease, or death. Here, it specifically refers to God the Father's act of raising Jesus from the dead. This detail is not a casual addition but a potent theological anchor. It points to the ultimate source of Christ's authority and power, validating Paul's direct encounter with the resurrected Christ as the basis for his apostleship and the truthfulness of the gospel message itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Paul, an apostle":** This is Paul's self-identification and immediate assertion of his divinely appointed office. He doesn't introduce himself as a mere teacher or religious leader, but as an "apostle," signifying a special commission and authority directly from God.
* **"(not of men, neither by man":** This parenthetical phrase emphatically negates any human origin or mediation for Paul's apostleship. "Not of men" (οὐκ ἀπ' ἀνθρώπων - `ouk ap' anthrōpōn`) denies that his commission originated from human initiative or appointment. "Neither by man" (οὐδὲ δι' ἀνθρώπου - `oudé di' anthrōpou`) denies that any human served as the instrument or channel through which he received his calling. This sets his authority apart from any human ecclesiastical structure or tradition.
* **"but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father":** This clause provides the positive affirmation of the divine source and means of Paul's apostleship. It was not humanly derived, but directly "by" (διὰ - `diá`) the agency of Jesus Christ and God the Father, underscoring the unified divine will behind his calling. This immediately elevates his message to the level of divine revelation.
* **"who raised him from the dead;)":** This crucial parenthetical phrase further specifies the identity of "God the Father" and provides the ultimate theological validation for the divine authority. The resurrection of Jesus Christ by God the Father is the cornerstone of Christian faith, demonstrating God's supreme power and validating Christ's claims. For Paul, his encounter with the resurrected Christ on the Damascus road was the direct, undeniable basis for his apostolic call, making this detail profoundly significant for establishing his unique and unassailable authority.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **Literary Devices** in this concise opening. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, seen in the stark contrast between "not of men, neither by man" and "but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father." This sharp juxtaposition highlights the absolute divine origin of his authority, emphatically rejecting any human involvement. The phrase "who raised him from the dead" functions as a **Parenthesis**, a sudden insertion of crucial information that provides profound theological grounding and validation for the preceding statement. It serves as a powerful **Emphasis** on the resurrection, which is not only the core of the gospel but also the direct event that authenticated Paul's encounter with the living Christ and his subsequent call to apostleship. This direct, divine commissioning also functions as a form of **Apostolic Salutation**, but one that is highly charged and defensive, immediately establishing the unassailable authority of the letter's content.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 1:1 lays the theological groundwork for Paul's robust defense of the gospel of grace. By asserting his apostleship as being "not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father," Paul establishes an unassailable foundation for the divine authority of his message. This declaration directly counters the legalistic teachings of the Judaizers, who sought to add human works to God's grace, thereby undermining the sufficiency of Christ's work. The mention of God the Father raising Jesus from the dead is not incidental; it highlights the supreme power of God and the ultimate validation of Christ's redemptive work, upon which Paul's entire gospel rests. This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of true spiritual authority, emphasizing that it flows from divine appointment and revelation, not from human institutions, traditions, or credentials. It sets the stage for Paul's argument that the gospel he preaches is not a human invention but a divine truth, demanding absolute adherence.

* [Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Romans 1:1 - Paul, a Servant and Apostle")
* [1 Corinthians 15:8-10](/1_corinthians/15-8-10 "1 Corinthians 15:8-10 - Paul's Apostolic Calling")
* [Ephesians 1:1](/ephesians/1-1 "Ephesians 1:1 - Paul, an Apostle by God's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's emphatic declaration in Galatians 1:1 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today regarding the source of genuine spiritual authority and the nature of the gospel. In a world often swayed by human charisma, popularity, or institutional endorsement, Paul directs our gaze solely to God the Father and Jesus Christ as the ultimate wellspring of true ministry and divine truth. This challenges us to critically evaluate the messages we hear and the ministries we follow: Do they derive their authority from human wisdom or divine revelation? Is their foundation the finished work of Christ, validated by His resurrection, or are they subtly adding human requirements for salvation or spiritual growth? For individuals called to ministry, this verse underscores the profound responsibility and privilege of a divine commission, urging humility and faithfulness to the one who calls. For all believers, it reinforces the absolute trustworthiness of the gospel, which is not a human philosophy but a divine decree, anchored in the power of God who raised Jesus from the dead.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's strong assertion of divine authority in Galatians 1:1 challenge common perceptions of leadership or spiritual authority today?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Galatians, be tempted to rely on human approval or works rather than the divine commission and grace of God?**
* **What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for validating not only Paul's apostleship but also the entire Christian faith?**
* **How can understanding the divine origin of the gospel strengthen our confidence in its truth and power in our own lives?**

### FAQ

**Why does Paul so strongly emphasize the divine origin of his apostleship right at the beginning of the letter?**

Answer: Paul's strong emphasis on the divine origin of his apostleship in [Galatians 1:1](/galatians/1-1 "Galatians 1:1 - Paul's Divine Apostleship") is crucial because his authority, and by extension the gospel he preached, was being challenged by false teachers (Judaizers) in Galatia. These opponents likely argued that Paul was not a "true" apostle like the original twelve, or that his message was merely a human invention designed to be palatable to Gentiles. By stating unequivocally that his commission came "not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father," Paul preemptively dismantles these attacks. He establishes that his message is not open to human negotiation or alteration, but is a direct revelation from God, thus demanding absolute adherence and rejecting any "different gospel" (as he will elaborate in [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - Warning Against a Different Gospel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 1:1, though an apostolic salutation, is deeply Christ-centered in its implications. Paul's very identity as an "apostle" is "by Jesus Christ," signifying that his entire commission, authority, and message flow directly from the resurrected Lord. The parenthetical "who raised him from the dead" is a profound Christological statement, anchoring Paul's apostleship and the gospel itself in the ultimate demonstration of Christ's victory over sin and death. This divine act of resurrection, performed by God the Father, validates Jesus' messianic claims and His ultimate authority to commission His servants. Paul's personal encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road ([Acts 9:1-19](/acts/9-1-19 "Acts 9:1-19 - Saul's Conversion")) was the direct basis for his calling, transforming him from a persecutor into the primary apostle to the Gentiles. Thus, Paul's apostleship is a living testament to the power and sovereignty of the exalted Christ, who continues to call and equip His people. The gospel Paul preaches, therefore, is not merely *about* Christ, but *from* Christ, making Him the source, content, and ultimate goal of all true ministry and salvation ([Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 1:11

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Galatians 1:12

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:1

¶ Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes [our] brother,

Acts 9:15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Acts 9:16

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Romans 1:1

¶ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,