The form of the opening words follows the custom in the era "writer to addresses; greetings" found in other New Testament and early Christian letters.[3] Only Romans 1:1-6 elaborates the greetings at a greater length than in this epistle.[3]
Verse 1
Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),[4]
"Apostle": translated from Greek word ἀπόστολος, apostolos, which generally means 'one who is sent' (as in John 13:16), but in the New Testament is more specifically applied to those specially commissioned by Jesus Christ.[5] Paul's striking comment on his apostleship ("not from men" etc.) emphasizes his ministry in Galatia under the commission by Jesus Christ and God the Father.[3]
"All the brethren" (NRSV: "all the members of God's family"): Unlike the other epistles that name individual co-workers (such as Sosthenes in 1 Corinthians 1:1, Timothy in 2 Corinthians 1:1), Paul alludes to 'God's family' consisting of men and women, using the word adelphoi, literally 'brothers' (or 'brethren'), which can also include 'sisters'.[3]
Rebuke (1:6–9)
Instead of expression of thanks given to God for the audience typically found after the greetings in genuine Pauline epistles,[7][8] Paul criticizes the Galatians for deserting his teaching of God's grace, and calls those who spread what he considers a fake gospel as anathema.[9]
Proclamation of the Gospel (1:10–12)
Paul claims that his proclamation of the gospel is not of human origin but directly from the revelation of Jesus Christ.[10]
Paul's Pre-Christian Life and Conversion (1:13–17)
The clarifying account of Paul's pre-Christian life may be a response to an effort by his opponents to use it to undermine his authority.[11] The word 'Judaism' in verses 13 and 14 are the only two references in the whole New Testament, and not until half a century later in the writings of Ignatius, 'Judaism' and 'Christianity' are considered two 'religions'.[12]
Contacts at Jerusalem (1:18–24)
In this part, Paul recounts his interaction with the leaders in Jerusalem, but maintains his independence of the Jerusalem authorities.[13]
Verse 18
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.[14]
"After three years": This is after Paul's conversion, not after his return to Damascus. Paul wanted to join the church in Jerusalem, but the members doubted and avoided him, until Barnabas brought him to Simon Peter and James (the brother of Jesus), informing the conversion and his eagerness to preach the Gospel in Damascus.[15]
"Peter": Several Alexandrian and Ethiopia copies read "Cephas", which is another name of the same Simon Peter.[15]
Verse 19
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.[16]
Stanton, G. N. (2007). "67. Galatians". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback)ed.). Oxford University Press. pp.1152–1165. ISBN978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
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