1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through human agency, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace to you and peace from [a]God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil [b]age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.
Galatians 1:1-5 (NASB) 中文
Galatians Intro
This famous letter of the Apostle Paul was written to “the churches of Galatia” which likely means the geographic area that included churches in the cities of Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe – all cities Paul had personally visited on previous missionary journeys (especially the second). He likely wrote it before the Jerusalem council and “Galatians 4:13 refers to the visit described in Acts 14:21. If so, Paul must have written the epistle before the Jerusalem Council (i.e., before or in A.D. 49).” (planobiblechapel.org quoting Tenney)
“This epistle explains Christian liberty: its nature, its laws, and its enemies. This little letter has, at various times throughout church history, called God’s people out of the bondage of legalism back into the liberty of freedom. It has also been called “the cornerstone of the Protestant Reformation.” (planobiblechapel.org quoting Tenney)
Sent through Jesus Christ
Paul starts out confirming that he is an apostle who’s been sent (or commissioned); this is not of his own doing. And it’s not from any humans. His calling and sending is by Jesus Christ the Lord and the Father in Heaven.
Apostle status
He’s clearly an apostle, with authority. “Paul had strong words for these Galatians, and they had to understand that he wrote with authority; indeed, apostolic authority.” (enduringword.com) Apostle is “one who is sent”. In the NT there are a special group of men called apostles, Jesus’ apostles- basically the disciples. There were special criteria to identify them. Separately, others are identified as apostles (like Barnabas – Acts 13:3) and were merely “sent”. For more, check out this article.
Grace and Peace
This is like Paul’s signature. He uses it 5 other times in his other letters. Paul was all about grace – “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Ephesians 2:8) There is nothing we can do to earn it. He chooses to give grace to whom He does yet He desires that all repent and be forgiven. Based on this grace, we receive salvation, forgiveness of sins. We are changed from enemies of God to adopted children loved by the Father. We have peace with God.
RЯeflection
- As you read this, were you challenged to ask if you are sent and if so, who sent you…and to do what?
- “Jesus gave the greatest gift He could; He gave himself. There is a sense in which we do not even begin to give until we give ourselves.” (enduringword.com)
- Have you been saved by grace? If you haven’t been and know you should, click here.
