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Paul's Letter To The Galatians
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6
GALATIANS CHAPTER ONE
(A Bible Study Commentary compiled by Don Krow)If you notice in the Authorized King James version the first 5 verses in chapter 1 makeup one complete sentence. This is in accordance with the first-century Jewish and Greek tradition of writing letters which included the name of the author, a short reference to therecipients and some customary words of greetings. The usual practice of Paul would be toexpress thanksgiving, prayer, and praise for the saints within his salutation (1 Cor. 1:1-5;Phil. 1:1-5; Col. 1:1-4; 1 Th. 1:1-3; 2 Th. 1:1-3; 2 Tim. 1:1-3). In this letter to theGalatians Paul does not follow his normal course but rather immediately defends hisapostleship, omits thanksgiving and prayer, and begins to exhibit a mood of almost anger at what is happening to the Galatian believers.
 
GAL 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 is a Roman name which means "small" or "little." It is used first in Acts 13:9. Itwas probably the name used to identify him more closely with the Gentiles. Paul couldhave been a small person in stature or he may have wanted to identify himself as small incomparison to the magnified name of Jesus to which he was preaching."The word "apostle" is a translation of the Greek word "APOSTOLOS" {ap-os-tol-os}meaning APO "from" and STELLO "to send," thus referring to the act of sendingsomeone on a commission to represent the sender. It was used of a messenger who was provided with credentials. Our word "ambassador" would be a good translation" (WordStudies in Greek, p. 28). It is important that Paul defend his apostleship, for if the falseteachers called the Judaizers could discredit his apostleship they would also discredit themessage he was preaching. To make this point of apostleship more forceful the Germancommon language translation translates this phrase "Paul, an apostle, writes this letter."Paul's apostleship was not bestowed upon him from the earthly Jesus as the other apostles were (Mt. 10:1-5), but his commission was from the resurrected Lord JesusChrist who was raised the Son of God in power (Rom. 1:4).Notice that Jesus Christ and God the Father are on a par of equality in bestowingPaul's apostleship. Paul further makes it clear that no group or agency of man had senthim.
GAL 1:2
 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
In Paul's greeting Paul mentions "all the brethren which are with me." Although Paulis the composer of this letter he is relating the fact that he is not alone in stating thedoctrinal truths that he will portray in this letter. There is a "amen" from many as to whatPaul will be sharing with these Galatians.Notice that Paul uses the plural "churches" in addressing the Galatians. This was acircular letter that is not going to a city but rather to a Roman province. There were 4major cities in this province: Antioch Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
GAL 1:3
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord JesusChrist,
It's almost amusing that within Paul's salutation that he says, "Grace be toyou...FROM GOD." He is writing this letter because the Galatians have started to fall
 
away from the principles of grace (Gal. 5:4). He is now stating within his greeting thatthe source of grace is God. So who is legalism from?Notice that grace is from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ. "The lawwas given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17)."Our Lord Jesus Christ" indicates that he is our Master (Lord), our Saviour (Jesus),and our Messiah (Christ). Within the New Covenant He has become ours and we have become His, very much like a marriage relationship (Rom. 7:4). Hebrews 8:10 states thatwithin the New Covenant, God says, "I will be THEIR GOD, and they shall be MYPEOPLE."
GAL 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Now Paul is stating that Jesus gave himself for our sins not only that we might be justified but also "that he might deliver us from this present evil world." The same Greek word for "deliver" {exaireo, ex- ahee-reh-o}, is used in Acts 12:11 for Peter's deliveranceout of the hand of Herod (See Acts 12:1-11) and also in Acts 23:27 of Paul's rescue fromthe narrow escape of death by the Jews (See Acts 21:20-36). The point is that the gospelof grace is a "rescue" and "deliverance" out of the hand of sin (Rom. 6:6; 8:2). The gospelhas been given "to set us free so that we do not have to live like people do in this presentevil age" (UBS Handbook, p. 9), this is "according to the will of God and our Father."
GAL 1:5
To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
If you really understand the gospel you shall break out in praise!
GAL 1:6
 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the graceof Christ unto another gospel:
The Greek word translated "marvel" in this verse is THAUMAZO {thou-mad-zo} andcarries the idea of that which would "evoke surprise." It is translated in varioustranslations by the phrases "I marvel, I am amazed, I am astonished, I am surprised atyou!" (KJV; LB; NIV; TEV). Why? Not because they were deserting some doctrine of Theology but because they were deserting GOD HIMSELF. Whenever a person removeshimself from the grace that's revealed in Christ he removes himself from God Himself. Inthe Greek the removing is in the present tense which indicates that the removing is in progress but is not yet complete. In other words, the Galatians were in a state of doublemindedness with their ears turned toward a false gospel.
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