1Paul — an apostle not from people nor through a person, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead — [1:2] and all the brothers with me, to the assemblies of Galatia: [1:3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, [1:4] who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father — [1:5] to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
GAL 1:1-5
Paulʼs Greeting to the Galatians
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Paul’s greeting to the Galatians would have been heard within the framework of Roman imperial authority and Jewish messianic expectation. The term (apostle) carried weight as a commissioned envoy, akin to imperial legates sent with authority. Paul’s claim to apostleship 'not from men nor through man but through Jesus Christ and God the Father' directly challenged human-derived authority, asserting divine commissioning. This would resonate with Jewish audiences familiar with prophetic figures sent by God, while Gentile listeners might hear echoes of imperial messengers. The mention of Jesus’ resurrection would evoke Jewish hope in the resurrection of the dead, a central tenet of Pharisaic theology, while also confronting Greco-Roman skepticism about bodily resurrection. The phrase 'the present evil age' reflects Jewish apocalyptic thought, contrasting the current corrupt era with the coming age of God’s reign. Paul’s emphasis on Jesus’ self-giving for sins aligns with Jewish sacrificial theology but extends it to a universal scope, addressing both Jewish and Gentile audiences in Galatia. The closing doxology ('to whom be the glory forever') mirrors Jewish liturgical practice, affirming God’s eternal sovereignty.
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How other translations render this
GAL 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;)
- BSB
- Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—
- Koinōnos
- Paul — an apostle not from people nor through a person, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead —
GAL 1:2
- KJV
- And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
- BSB
- and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:
- Koinōnos
- and all the brothers with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
GAL 1:3
- KJV
- Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
- BSB
- Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
- Koinōnos
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
GAL 1:4
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
- Koinōnos
- who gave himself for our sins, so that he might deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father —
GAL 1:5
- KJV
- To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- BSB
- to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
- Koinōnos
- to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.3.3
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.3.3
“for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.”
Cited to ground: The mention of Jesus’ resurrection would evoke Jewish hope in the resurrection of the dead, a central tenet of Pharisaic theology
Translator's notes
GAL 1:1
- an apostle:The word translated 'an apostle' referred to an authorized messenger or envoy, someone sent with a specific commission and representing the authority of the sender.
GAL 1:2
- brothers:The term 'brothers' here extends beyond biological siblings to include fellow members of a community or faith, emphasizing a shared spiritual family bond.
- churches:The word translated 'churches' originally meant a summoned assembly or gathering of citizens, not necessarily a religious building or institution.
GAL 1:4
- age:The word translated 'age' refers to a distinct period of time or an era, often with its own characteristics and moral qualities, rather than just a measure of years.