Galatians 1:1

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

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};)

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

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

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

Commentary

In Galatians 1:1, Paul immediately establishes the divine origin of his apostleship, setting the authoritative tone for his crucial letter to the churches in Galatia.

Context

The letter to the Galatians addresses a serious challenge to the Gospel: false teachers, often called Judaizers, were compelling Gentile believers to adopt Mosaic Law practices, such as circumcision, as necessary for salvation. Paul opens by asserting his direct, divine commission as an apostle, countering any claims that his authority was merely human-derived or inferior. This strong declaration of his apostolic legitimacy is foundational to his passionate defense of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, without the works of the Law.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority: Paul's primary assertion is that his apostleship originated directly from God, not from human appointment or approval. This underscores the absolute authority of the message he proclaims.
  • The Role of Jesus Christ: The verse explicitly states that Paul was an apostle "by Jesus Christ," highlighting Christ's supreme authority as the one who commissions His messengers.
  • God the Father's Involvement: By including "and God the Father," Paul emphasizes the unified will of the Godhead in his calling, reinforcing the divine nature of his mission.
  • The Resurrection as Foundation: The parenthetical "who raised him from the dead" is a crucial theological anchor. It points to the ultimate source of Christ's power and authority, and validates Paul's direct encounter with the resurrected Christ, which was central to his calling to apostleship.

Linguistic Insights

The term "apostle" (Greek: apostolos) means "one who is sent" or "a messenger." Paul's emphatic declaration "not of men, neither by man" (Greek: ouk ap' anthrōpōn oude di' anthrōpou) is highly significant. "Of men" (ap' anthrōpōn) refers to the source or origin – his commission did not *come from* human initiative. "By man" (di' anthrōpou) refers to the agency or instrument – no human *acted as the means* to make him an apostle. This contrasts sharply with the typical way religious leaders or teachers were appointed. His authority was solely "by Jesus Christ, and God the Father," making his message inviolable and divinely inspired. The resurrection of Jesus, a pivotal event mentioned here, is also a core tenet of the Christian faith, as Paul elaborates in 1 Corinthians 15.

Practical Application

Galatians 1:1 serves as a timeless reminder that true spiritual authority and authentic ministry derive from God, not from human credentials, popularity, or organizational structures. For believers today, it encourages discernment, urging us to evaluate teachings and ministries based on their alignment with God's Word and the divine source of their calling, rather than human approval. It also reinforces the central importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the bedrock of our faith and the ultimate source of all divine authority and power.

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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,