Galatians 1:1-5
Grace and Peace from Christ
1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—
2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:
3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Berean Standard Bible
Paul begins by naming himself an apostle, not from men or through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead. His authority does not come from a personal talent for argument. It comes from the God who raised Christ and sent him.
He includes all the brothers with him in the greeting. This is not a private letter from one religious celebrity to a distant audience. A community stands behind the message, and the churches in Galatia are being addressed as churches, not as Paul's personal possession.
The greeting asks for grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is God's undeserved favor; peace is the restored relationship and settled belonging that flow from Him. Paul puts both gifts before the difficult correction that is coming.
Christ gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. The cross is therefore not an emergency response to a plan that went wrong. It belongs to God's saving purpose, and it has a direction: rescue from the age's corruption and allegiance to God.
Paul ends the opening with praise to God forever. Even before he confronts the Galatians, the letter's center is clear. The good news begins with what the Father and the Son have done.
Questions
1 From where does Paul say his apostleship comes?
AnswerHe says it comes through Jesus Christ and God the Father, not from human beings or a human appointment.
2 Who is included with Paul in the greeting?
AnswerAll the brothers with him are included. Paul presents the letter as a message carried within the life of the churches.
3 What does Paul ask God the Father and Jesus Christ to give?
AnswerHe asks them to give grace and peace. These gifts establish the relationship before Paul addresses the church's error.
4 Why did Christ give Himself for our sins?
AnswerHe gave Himself to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of God our Father.
What This Means for Us
Paul does not begin by asking whether the Galatians have performed well enough. He begins with the Father who raised Jesus and the Son who gave Himself. Christian correction is healthiest when it remembers that grace came first.
The cross also gives our lives a direction. Jesus does not merely forgive isolated mistakes while leaving us at the mercy of the age around us. He rescues people into a new allegiance, one that deserves our praise and trust.
Prayer
Father, thank You for raising Jesus and sending Him to rescue us. Let Your grace and peace settle our hearts, and keep our lives turned toward Your will. Amen.