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Commentary on Galatians Chapter 1

Galatians Chapter 1: Apostleship and Gospel Defense

Paul's epistle to the Galatians begins with a strong assertion of his apostleship, emphasizing that he was "sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father" (Galatians 1:1) [3]. This introduction is crucial in understanding the context and purpose of the letter. The Galatian churches, founded by Paul himself, were being influenced by Judaizing teachers who questioned Paul's authority and the gospel he preached [6].

The Defense of Apostleship

Paul's apostleship is a central theme in Galatians 1. He defends his authority by highlighting that his commission came directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, bypassing human intermediaries. This is reinforced by cross-references to other biblical passages that emphasize the divine origin of Paul's mission, such as Acts 9:15 and Romans 1:1 [2, 3]. The emphasis on divine appointment serves to establish Paul's credibility and authority in the face of challenges from the Judaizing teachers.

The Gospel Preached by Paul

Paul makes it clear that the gospel he preached was not of human origin but was received through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12) [5]. This revelation is a pivotal event in Paul's life, marking his conversion and commissioning as an apostle. The nature of this revelation is echoed in other New Testament accounts, such as Acts 9:3-6 and Acts 22:6-10, underscoring the divine source of Paul's gospel [3].

Paul's Pre-Conversion Life and Conversion

Paul provides a brief account of his life before conversion, highlighting his zeal for Judaism and his persecution of the church (Galatians 1:13-14). This background is essential for understanding the radical nature of his conversion and the authenticity of his apostleship. The cross-references to other biblical accounts, such as Acts 8:1-3 and Acts 9:1-2, further illuminate Paul's pre-conversion life and his subsequent transformation [1, 4].

The Significance of Paul's Conversion

Paul's conversion, as described in Galatians 1:15-16, is portrayed as a sovereign act of God, echoing the language of Jeremiah 1:5 and Isaiah 49:1. This divine initiative underscores the idea that Paul's mission was predestined and not a result of human decision or merit [2]. The parallels with other biblical call narratives reinforce the theological significance of Paul's conversion and apostleship.

Early Christian Interpretation

Early Christian interpreters, such as John Chrysostom and Augustine, grappled with the nuances of Paul's argument in Galatians 1. Chrysostom's homilies on Galatians reflect a deep engagement with the text, emphasizing the theological and pastoral implications of Paul's defense of his apostleship [10]. Augustine's commentary, while not directly available, is referenced in later discussions on the nature of Paul's rebuke of Peter, highlighting the ongoing relevance of Galatians in early Christian debates [8].

Reformation and Post-Reformation Perspectives

Reformers like Calvin saw Galatians as a crucial text for understanding the doctrine of justification by faith. Calvin's commentary on Galatians emphasizes the epistle's focus on the freedom from the law that Christ has secured for believers, a theme that resonated deeply with Reformation theology [11]. Later interpreters, such as Matthew Henry, continued this line of interpretation, emphasizing the practical implications of Paul's teaching for Christian life and church practice [7, 9].

Conclusion

Galatians 1 presents a robust defense of Paul's apostleship and the gospel he preached, grounded in his personal experience of conversion and commissioning by Jesus Christ. The chapter's themes of divine appointment, the origin of the gospel, and the significance of Paul's conversion continue to resonate in Christian theology and interpretation, from the early church through the Reformation and beyond. The text remains a cornerstone for understanding the nature of Christian authority, the gospel message, and the life of faith.

Sources

  1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 1:10 cross-references: 1 Samuel 21:7, Matthew 22:16, Matthew 28:14, Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29, Acts 12:20, Romans 1:1, Romans 2:8, Romans 2:29, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 10:33, 2 Corinthians 5:9, 2 Corinthians 12:19, Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:22, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, James 4:4, 1 John 3:9”
  2. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 1:15 cross-references: Deuteronomy 7:7, 1 Samuel 12:22, 1 Chronicles 28:4, Isaiah 49:1, Isaiah 49:5, Jeremiah 1:5, Matthew 11:26, Luke 1:15, Luke 10:21, Acts 9:15, Acts 13:2, Acts 22:14, Romans 1:1, Romans 1:5, Romans 8:30, Romans 9:24, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Galatians 1:6, Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 1:9, Ephesians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 5:10”
  3. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 1:1 cross-references: Joshua 22:15, Matthew 28:18, John 5:19, John 10:30, John 20:21, Acts 1:16, Acts 2:24, Acts 3:15, Acts 9:6, Acts 9:15, Acts 13:2, Acts 22:10, Acts 22:14, Acts 26:16, Romans 1:1, Romans 1:4, Romans 4:24, Romans 10:9, Romans 14:9, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 3:1, Galatians 1:11, Galatians 1:17, Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:3, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 1:21, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 1:18, Revelation 2:8”
  4. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 3:1 cross-references: Deuteronomy 32:6, 1 Samuel 13:13, Matthew 7:26, Matthew 24:24, Luke 24:25, Acts 6:7, Acts 8:9, Romans 2:8, Romans 6:17, Romans 10:16, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 1:6, Galatians 2:14, Galatians 3:3, Galatians 4:9, Galatians 5:7, Ephesians 3:8, Ephesians 4:14, Ephesians 5:15, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 1 Timothy 6:4, Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 11:8, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 Peter 4:17, 2 Peter 2:18, Revelation 2:20, Revelation 13:13, Revelation 18:3”
  5. Galatians “But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. -- Galatians 1:11”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Galatians, Epistle to — The genuineness of this epistle is not called in question. Its Pauline origin is universally acknowledged. Occasion of. The churches of Galatia were founded by Paul himself (Acts 16:6; Gal. 1:8; 4:13, 19). They seem to have been composed mainly of converts from heathenism (4:8), but partly also of Jewish converts, who probably, under the influence of Judaizing teachers, sought to incorporate the rites of Judaism with Christianity, and by their active zeal had succeeded in inducing the majority of the churches to adopt their views (1:6; 3:1). T”
  7. Galatians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Galatians 1 (introduction): In this chapter, after the preface or introduction (Gal 1:1-5), the apostle severely reproves these churches for their defection from the faith (Gal 1:6-9), and then proves his own apostleship, which his enemies had brought them to question, I. From his end and design in preaching the gospel (Gal 1:10). II. From his having received it by immediate revelation (Gal 1:11, Gal 1:12). For the proof of which he acquaints them, 1. What his former conversation was (Gal 1:13, Gal 1:14). 2. How he was converted, and called to the apostleship (Gal 1:15, Gal 1:”
  8. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. III.-- 4. You ask, in the second place, my reason for saying, in my commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, that Paul could not have rebuked Peter for that which he himself had done, and cou (part 1): To this I answer, in the first place, that your wisdom ought to have suggested the remembrance of the short preface to my commentaries, saying of my own person, "What then ? Am I so foolish and bold as to promise that which he could not accomplish? By no means; but t have rather, as it seems to me, with more reserve and hesitation, because”
  9. Galatians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Galatians 1:1: In these verses we have the preface or introduction to the epistle, where observe, I. The person or persons from whom this epistle is sent - from Paul an apostle, etc., and all the brethren that were with him. 1. The epistle is sent from Paul; he only was the penman of it. And, because there were some among the Galatians who endeavoured to lessen his character and authority, in the front of it he gives a general account both of his office and of the manner in which he was called to it, which afterwards, in this and the following chapter, he enlarges more upon. A”
  10. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: Table of Contents Title Page St. Chrysostom as a Homilist. The Commentary and Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on Galatians and Ephesians. Title Page. Preface. Commentary on Galatians. Galatians 1:1--3 Galatians 2:1,2 Galatians 3:1 Galatians 4:1-3 Galatians 5:1 Galatians 6:1 Homilies on Ephesians. The Argument. Ephesians 1:1--2 Ephesians 1:11-14 Ephesians 1:15-20 Ephesians 2:1-3 Ephesians 2:11,12 Ephesians 2:17-22 Ephesians 3:8-11 Ephesians 4:1,2 Ephesians 4:1-3 Ephesians 4:4 Ephesians 4:4-7 Ephesians 4:17 Ephesians 4:17-19 Ephesi”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 74: but Christ, who surpasses all the perfection of the law, is alone to be held forth for righteousness. 3. On this almost the whole subject of the Epistle to the Galatians hinges; for it can be proved from express passages that those are absurd interpreters who teach that Paul there contends only for freedom from ceremonies. Of such passages are the following: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” “Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled ag”
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