01 - Galatians 1:1-5

Bible Study Time Galatians
, ,
1

:open_book: Let’s Read: Galatians 1:1-5 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia.

3 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Verse 1

Paul identifies himself right away as an apostle who was appointed by God rather than any human religious authority.

Verse 2

Scholars believe Paul wrote this letter from Antioch, in Syria, sometime after his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). His intention was that his letter would be shared among all the churches in the city of Galatia, and many of those believers would actually know who he was.

Paul also mentions the “brothers and sisters” who are with him physically as an indicator that they agree with the message he’s sending.

Verse 3

Starting a letter with a blessing was pretty normal at the time. So Paul gives them a greeting that includes the true source of all grace and peace.

Verse 4

Paul starts reminding them of the gospel immediately—even within his greeting. He explains how Jesus gave Himself to the death penalty that we have earned because of our sin (Romans 6:23). And why? Because we need rescuing from our own sinful choices.

Verse 5

Paul finishes his greeting with a declaration of giving God the glory forevermore.

00 - Galatians: Let's gooooo!
02 - Galatians 1:6-10
2

:red_question_mark: Questions: Galatians 1:1-5

  1. Why is it important for Paul to establish where he got his authority from?
  2. Why do you think Paul addressed the entire church community in Galatia rather than just writing to one of the church leaders?
  3. How does recognizing the truth of the gospel (that it’s God’s work and not our own) lead to glorifying God?

:thinking: Things to Think About

What stood out to you in this short greeting from Paul? What do you think it says about a person who starts a letter with a blessing like “May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace”?

:speech_balloon: Share your thoughts on any of the questions above or add your own insights!