Galatians 1:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 1:1-5

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... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 1:1-5

1:1-5 I, Paul, an apostle--and my apostleship was given to me from no human source and through no man's hand, because it came to me direct from Jesus Christ and from God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead--with all the brothers who are here, write this letter to the Churches of Galatia. May grace and peace be on you from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who, because our God and Father willed it so, gave his life for our sins, to rescue us from this present world with all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 1:1

Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man ,.... The writer of this epistle, Paul, puts his name to it, as to all his epistles, excepting that to the Hebrews, if that be his, being neither afraid nor ashamed to own what is herein contained. He asserts himself to be "an apostle", which was the highest office in the church, to which he was immediately called by Christ, and confirmed in it by signs and wonders. This he chose to mention, because of the false teachers, who had insinuated he was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 1:1

Paul, an apostle, not of men - Not commissioned by any assembly or council of the apostles. Neither by man - Nor by any one of the apostles; neither by James, who seems to have been president of the apostolic council at Jerusalem; nor by Peter, to whom, in a particular manner, the keys of the kingdom were intrusted. But by Jesus Christ - Having his mission immediately from Christ himself, and God the Father who raised him from the dead, see Acts 22:14 , Acts 22:15 , and commanded... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 1:1

Verse 1 1.Paul, an apostle. In the salutations with which he commenced his Epistles, Paul was accustomed to claim the title of “an Apostle.” His object in doing so, as we have remarked on former occasions, was to employ the authority of his station, for the purpose of enforcing his doctrine. This authority depends not on the judgment or opinion of men, but exclusively on the calling of God; and therefore he demands a hearing on the ground of his being “an Apostle.” Let us always bear this in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1

Paul, an apostle ( παῦλος ἀπόστολος ); Paul , apostle. The designation of "apostle," as here appropriated by St. Paul in explanation of his right to authoritatively address those he was writing to, points to a function with which he was permanently invested, and which placed him in a relation to these Galatian Churches which no other apostle ever occupied. Some years later, indeed, when St. Peter had occasion to address these same Churches, together with others in neighbouring... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1

The inspired authority of the apostle. The first line of the Epistle is designed to settle the question of his authority and independence as a teacher of the Church. The truth of the gospel, as he phrases it ( Galatians 2:5 ), was involved in this merely personal question. I. THE NECESSITY FOR VINDICATING HIS AUTHORITY . Emissaries of the Judaistic party, who had obtained access to the Galatian Churches, sought to undermine his doctrine by denying or minimizing his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1

Apostolic authority. St. Paul opens the Epistle to the Galatians with an unusual assertion of his own authority. Generally he describes himself as "the bondservant" of Jesus Christ, and addresses his converts with affectionate gentleness. But something almost stern marks the beginning of this Epistle, and indeed characterizes the whole of it; and the writer at the outset sets forth the highest claims of apostolic rank. This was necessary because disloyalty to the authority of St. Paul had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1-5

The introductory greeting. The style of this greeting, compared with those found in St. Paul's other Epistles, gives indications of his having addressed himself to the composition of the letter under strong perturbation of feeling. This transpires in the abruptness with which, at the very outset, he at once sweeps aside, as it were, out of his path, a slur east upon his apostolic commission, in protesting that he was "apostle, not from man nor through a man." It appears again in that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1-5

The gospel of self-sacrifice. In sending an Epistle to an apostate people, Paul does not indulge in unmeaning compliments. These Celts in Asia had been showing some of their proverbial fickleness, and going back from the doctrine of justification by faith to a ritualism whose development must be self-righteousness. It is needful for their recovery from apostasy that the authority of the apostle and the truth of the gospel should be put before them in unmistakable terms. Hence we find... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 1:1-5

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 1:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 1:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 1:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:1-5

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