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Paul’s Greeting to the Galatians
These opening words of Galatians are a greeting, but they already say important things about Paul, Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the gospel. The passage begins the letter by grounding its message in God’s action.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
Galatians 1:1–5 opens the letter to the assemblies of Galatia. Paul identifies himself, includes the brothers with him, greets the churches with grace and peace, and praises God. In these first verses, he explains that his apostleship and the saving work of Christ come from God.
Galatians 1:1–5Main takeaway
This greeting teaches that Paul’s message rests on God’s authority and that Jesus Christ gave himself for sins according to God’s will.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul’s calling comes from GodPaul introduces himself as an apostle, then immediately explains where that calling comes from.
Explanation
Paul introduces himself as an apostle, then immediately explains where that calling comes from. He says it is not from men or through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father. He also describes the Father as the one who raised Jesus from the dead, placing his greeting in the context of God’s power and action.
02The letter is sent to the assemblies of GalatiaPaul is not writing alone in a private sense, because he mentions all the brothers who are with him.
Explanation
Paul is not writing alone in a private sense, because he mentions all the brothers who are with him. The letter is addressed to the assemblies of Galatia, meaning this greeting is meant for gathered church communities. Even in the opening line, the readers are addressed together rather than as isolated individuals.
03Grace and peace come from the Father and the Lord Jesus ChristPaul greets the assemblies with grace and peace. He names the source of these gifts as God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Explanation
Paul greets the assemblies with grace and peace. He names the source of these gifts as God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The verse does not treat grace and peace as something people create for themselves. In this greeting, they are presented as coming from God and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
04Jesus gave himself for our sinsPaul says Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins. He also states the purpose: that he might deliver us out of this present evil age.
Explanation
Paul says Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins. He also states the purpose: that he might deliver us out of this present evil age. Then Paul adds that this happened according to the will of our God and Father. The verse joins Jesus’ self-giving, human need because of sins, deliverance, and God’s will.
05The greeting ends in praiseAfter naming God’s saving will, Paul responds with praise: to whom be the glory forever and ever.
Explanation
After naming God’s saving will, Paul responds with praise: to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. This doxology shows that the opening of the letter is not only informative but worshipful. God’s work in Christ leads Paul to give glory to God.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Paul stress that he is an apostle not from men or through man?
Look at the exact contrast in Galatians 1:1 and notice that Paul wants the readers to see his apostleship as coming through Jesus Christ and God the Father.
02What gifts does Paul speak over the assemblies of Galatia in his greeting?
Read Galatians 1:3 carefully and identify both gifts and their source.
03According to this greeting, why did Jesus give himself?
Use the full wording of Galatians 1:4, including both our sins and the purpose of deliverance.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Galatians 1:1–5
1Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
2and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
3Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—
5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.