Book of Galatians
Day 3
READ Galatians 1:1-5
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers and sisters with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
COMMENTARY:
Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with a distinctive and direct greeting, which is quite typical of his style in other epistles. In Galatians 1:1-5, he introduces himself, addresses his audience, and offers a brief theological summary. Here’s how Paul opens his letter to the Galatians:
Identification of the Author:
Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter, stating, “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead” (Galatians 1:1).
Addressing the Recipients:
Paul addresses the recipients of the letter, simply referring to them as “the churches in Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). This indicates that the letter was intended for multiple congregations in the region of Galatia.
Greetings and Blessing:
Following the customary greeting, Paul offers a brief blessing or greeting, saying, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:3).
Introduction to the Main Theme:
In the opening lines, Paul sets the stage for the main theme of the letter by alluding to the foundational truths of the gospel. He emphasizes the centrality of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection for the redemption of humanity, stating, “who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4).
Amen and Doxology:
Paul concludes his introductory remarks with a brief doxology, expressing praise to God: “To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Galatians 1:5).
Paul’s opening to the Galatians is concise yet rich in theological content, laying the groundwork for the themes he will develop throughout the rest of the letter, particularly his defense of the gospel of grace against false teachings.
Question to ponder:
- Paul opens all the letters in this manner. How is it helpful for him to choose this style of writing for us today?
