Galatians 1:1-5 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, 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: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
‘Apostle’ [Greek: Apostolos] a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent.
‘Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.’ Note the two separate persons of the Godhead (John 1:1-2; 1Jn. 5:7).
‘Churches of Galatia’ – This letter was from the apostle Paul, written from Rome about 68 A.D., along with the book Hebrews, and was addressed to all the congregations of Galatia, a province of Asia Minor. There was no city by this name. How many congregations were in Galatia at this time is not known. It seems they all had the same troubles. The theme of this letter was to correct the fickle Galatians from further backsliding and following the legalizing, Judaizing teachers from Judea; and to set them straight regarding the relation of Christians of the new covenant with the Jews of the old covenant.
‘Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.’ Five reasons why Christ gave Himself: For our sins (1:4; Matt. 1:21; 26:28; 1Cor. 15:3; 1Pet. 2:24). That He might deliver us from this present evil world (1:4; Tit. 2:14). For His body of true believers – that He might sanctify them by the Word (Eph. 5:25-26). To be a ransom for all (1Tim. 2:6). For us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (Tit. 2:14).
‘That he might deliver us from this present evil world’ – Christ came to set us free from the bonds of sin that reign in our world. No Christian should claim that Christ died for the sin so that they can continue therein (Heb. 10:26-31), to be free means not to continue therein and thus make no place for satan and the curse (Rom. 6; 1Jn. 1:6; 3:1-10; 5:18). ‘To whom be glory for ever and ever.’ God won’t give the praise and honour that are due Him to angels, demons, men, or idols. Men must not take to themselves any glory for ideas, doctrines, works, wisdom, power, or ability that has come from God for His glory. Man is not worthy of such glory; how much less are images worthy of it.
Living the Word 