Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul emphasizes his apostleship wasn't merely "from men" or "through man" but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father. This wasn't just about his authority; it was about grounding his message in the divine power of the resurrection, signaling that his gospel was divinely appointed, not a human invention.
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul begins by establishing his authority as an apostle, emphasizing that his commission comes directly from God and Jesus Christ, not from any human source. He asserts this divine appointment right away because some in the Galatian churches were questioning his authority and the legitimacy of his gospel, likely in favor of a different interpretation of Christianity. This foundational statement sets the stage for his defense of the gospel and his own role as its messenger.
Ever felt like you needed permission from someone else to do what you know is right? Paul starts his letter by tackling this head-on.
Paul immediately declares his authority as an apostle, but he's not just stating a title. He's making a crucial distinction:
This wasn't a matter of human approval; it was a divine appointment. In a time when his authority was being questioned, Paul grounds his entire letter in the reality that his message and mission came directly from God.
Why link his apostleship to a dramatic event from the past? Paul connects his authority to the ultimate proof of God's power.
Paul doesn't just say he was called by God; he specifies how that call is validated:
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This isn't just historical detail; it's the bedrock of his gospel. The resurrection proves Jesus is who He claimed to be and validates the authority given to His messengers, like Paul.
Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
A messenger or delegate commissioned by a higher authority, particularly one appointed directly by Jesus Christ as a witness to His resurrection and a foundational leader of the early church.
Paul begins his letter by immediately asserting the divine origin of his apostleship, directly countering those who questioned his authority. This emphasis is crucial because the Galatians are being swayed by teachers who undermine Paul's gospel, suggesting it's not on par with that of the Jerusalem apostles.
c. 30s AD— this verse
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, has a dramatic encounter with the resurrected Jesus. This event marks his radical transformation and the beginning of his call to apostleship.
c. 35 AD
Paul visits Jerusalem and meets Peter and James
After his conversion, Paul travels to Jerusalem and spends time with key leaders of the early church. This visit is significant as he establishes initial contact with the Jerusalem church, though he emphasizes his direct commissioning by Christ.
c. 48-49 AD
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal meeting where apostles and elders discuss the inclusion of Gentiles in the church and the requirements of the Law. Paul's authority and gospel are affirmed, though with stipulations regarding the Gentile mission.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul's second missionary journey
Paul travels through Asia Minor, including regions of Galatia, and establishes churches. This period likely includes the founding of the churches he addresses in this letter.
c. 53-57 AD
Paul's third missionary journey
Paul continues his extensive travels, strengthening churches and dealing with doctrinal issues. His ministry during this time is marked by intense theological debate and the establishment of strong Pauline churches.
c. 57 AD
Writing of Galatians
Paul writes this impassioned letter to the churches in Galatia, likely from Macedonia or Corinth. He addresses a serious theological crisis where false teachers are pressuring Gentile believers to adopt Jewish customs.
Paul directly questions if he is not an apostle and asserts he has seen the Lord Jesus, echoing Galatians 1:1's emphasis on his direct commission.
Romans 1:1This verse also identifies Paul as an apostle, called to preach the Gospel, and highlights his divine commission as foundational to his ministry.
Acts 13:2-3This passage describes the Holy Spirit setting apart Paul and Barnabas for their mission, illustrating the divine agency behind their ministry, which Paul emphasizes in Galatians 1:1.
Ephesians 2:8-9This passage contrasts salvation by grace through faith, not by works, which aligns with Paul's assertion in Galatians 1:1 that his apostleship, and by extension the Gospel, is not of human origin but a divine gift.
Galatians 2:7-9Paul directly addresses the 'pillars' of the Jerusalem church and their recognition of his apostleship to the Gentiles, reinforcing the validity of his commission, which he firmly established in the opening verse.
ellicottGalatians 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;)"
I. (1-5) It is no self-constituted teacher by whom the Galatians are addressed, but an Apostle who, like the chosen Twelve, had received his commission, not from any human source or through any human agency, but directly from God and Christ. As such, he and his companions that are with him give Christian greeting to the Galatian churches, invoking upon them the…
expositorsGalatians 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;)"
Chapter 1THE ADDRESS. Galatians 1:1-2 ANTIQUITY has nothing to show more notable in its kind, or more precious, than this letter of Paul to the Churches of Galatia. It takes us back, in some respects nearer than any other document we possess, to the beginnings of Christian theology and the Christian Church. In it the spiritual consciousness of Christianity firs…
Paul emphasizes his apostleship wasn't merely "from men" or "through man" but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father. This wasn't just about his authority; it was about grounding his message in the divine power of the resurrection, signaling that his gospel was divinely appointed, not a human invention.
Paul begins by establishing his authority as an apostle, emphasizing that his commission comes directly from God and Jesus Christ, not from any human source. He asserts this divine appointment right away because some in the Galatian churches were questioning his authority and the legitimacy of his gospel, likely in favor of a different interpretation of Christianity. This foundational statement sets the stage for his defense of the gospel and his own role as its messenger.
Paul begins by establishing his authority as an apostle, emphasizing that his commission comes directly from God and Jesus Christ, not from any human source. He asserts this divine appointment right away because some in the Galatian churches were questioning his authority and the legitimacy of his gospel, likely in favor of a different interpretation of Christianity. This foundational statement sets the stage for his defense of the gospel and his own role as its messenger.
"Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—" — Paul emphasizes his apostleship wasn't merely "from men" or "through man" but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father. This wasn't just about his authority; it was about grounding his message i…
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Last reviewed October 2026