Galatians 1 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Galatians Chapter 1 (New Testament)
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians Chapter 1 (New Testament)
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀπόστολος — apostolos | Verse 1 — “…Paul, an apostle, not of men…” | “Sent one,” commissioned envoy. | Apostolos (“sent one”) signals divine commissioning (“apostle”). Paul emphasizes Christ as the source of his authority. The term frames the entire epistle as authoritative revelation. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| χάρις — charis | Verse 3 — “Grace be to you…” | “Grace,” unmerited favor. | Charis (“grace”) expresses God’s free generosity (“grace”). Paul roots salvation in divine initiative. The term opposes works-based righteousness. — Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| ἐξαιρέω — exaireō | Verse 4 — “…deliver us from this present evil world…” | “Rescue,” pluck out. | Exaireō (“to rescue”) indicates powerful deliverance (“deliver”). Christ removes believers from sin’s dominion. The term stresses substitutionary redemption. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| μετατίθημι — metatithēmi | Verse 6 — “…so soon removed…” | “Transfer,” shift away. | Metatithēmi (“to turn away”) denotes desertion (“remove/turn aside”). Paul warns of doctrinal instability. The term reveals urgency of correction. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ἕτερος — heteros | Verse 6 — “…unto another gospel…” | “Another of a different kind.” | Heteros (“another (different)”) clarifies a counterfeit message (“different gospel”). Paul distinguishes true gospel from distortions. The term exposes false teaching. — Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| ταράσσω — tarassō | Verse 7 — “…there be some that trouble you…” | “Agitate,” disturb. | Tarassō (“to trouble”) denotes doctrinal agitation (“disturb”). False teachers unsettle the church. The term reflects pastoral concern. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Galatians (1882) |
| ἀνάθεμα — anathema | Verse 8 — “…let him be accursed.” | “Accursed,” devoted to destruction. | Anathema (“accursed”) conveys divine rejection (“curse”). Paul defends gospel purity with severe warning. The term underscores non-negotiable truth. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| ἀποκαλύπτω — apokalyptō | Verse 12 — “…by revelation of Jesus Christ.” | “Reveal,” unveil. | Apokalyptō (“to reveal”) indicates divine disclosure (“reveal”). Paul’s gospel is not human-derived. The term affirms supernatural origin. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| προκόπτω — prokoptō | Verse 14 — “…profited in the Jews’ religion…” | “Advance,” progress. | Prokoptō (“to advance”) reflects zealous progression (“advance/profit”). Paul excelled in Judaism beyond peers. The term highlights radical transformation. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| δουλόω — douloō | Verse 10 — “…the servant of Christ.” | “Enslave,” make a slave. | Douloō (“to enslave”) expresses total allegiance (“servant/slave”). Paul serves Christ exclusively. The term contrasts divine service with human approval. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
Galatians Chapter 1
Verse: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8)
Lesson: In this chapter, Paul emphasizes the importance of the true gospel and warns against false teachings. He emphasizes that the gospel he preached was not from human origin but was given to him by Jesus Christ. Therefore, any deviation from that gospel, even from an angel, should be rejected.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: As believers, we must ensure that we are grounded in the true gospel and not be swayed by false teachings that may come from different sources. We should be diligent in studying the Bible, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and comparing teachings with the true gospel.
Prayer Points:
l Ask God for discernment to distinguish the true gospel from false teachings.
l Pray for a hunger and thirst for God's Word and for the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding it.
l Ask God to help us remain steadfast in our faith and not be swayed by false teachings.
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
Now that you're finished reading this scripture, you can visit this page for the New Testament or watch this powerful prayer for strength today.
