Paul: (meaning in Gk.: Little of small) Every name stirs up some kind reaction or feeling. The name, Paul, should be no different. Paul was the first to come to the region of Galatia with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He ministered to them, risking even his life, that they may have Christ formed in them (4:19). Because of this, his name should be a sweet and endearing name to the Galatians. However, from the time of his first departure to the time of this letter, he was maligned (cf. 1:1-24; 2:8; 4:14-16, 5:11; 6:17). Through the subtle speaking of the false brothers and some Jewish believers, the Galatians questioned Paul’s apostleship. His apostleship was brought under attack in order to discredit what he ministered. Therefore the beginning tone of this letter is in defense of the authenticity of his apostleship. What a shame to the Galatian believers! What a lesson to be learned by all of us!

an apostle: Gk. Ap-os’tol-os, a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders. (Root word: apostello {ap-os-tel'-lo} meaning: to order one to go to a place appointed). Paul was a genuine sent one, having the authority of the sending One. In verse 1, Paul was making it clear that his coming to them was not according to his own will, but according to the power and authority of the One who sent him.

not: This is the beginning of a parenthetical statement. Paul is going to state what was NOT.

from men: Paul was an apostle, not FROM men. The SOURCE of his apostleship was not men.

nor through man: Nor was Paul THROUGH man. Man was not the channel or agency through which his apostleship was derived.

but through: Now Paul will state the true channel or means of his apostleship.

Jesus: Paul was an apostle through Jesus. Jesus meaning ‘Jehovah is salvation’. The means of his apostleship was the saving God. Paul’s coming to the Galatians a matter of God’s salvation to them.

Christ: Christ means ‘Anointed One, Messiah’. Christ was anointed and appointed by God to carry out His purpose for man’s full and complete salvation. This Anointed One with His authority is the means through which Paul carried out his apostleship.

and God: God is the source of all things. He is the creator of the universe. He is the Mighty One, the One who is all-powerful, even the Almighty. The source of Paul’s apostleship is God Himself, not any man or group of men.

the Father: (Gk. Pater, the nourisher, protector, upholder) The term father implies begetting. God as the Father is the source of life—the source of the new creation. Paul’s apostleship has its source in the Father; the source of the new creation (6:15). Thus his apostleship is new and living.

Who raised Him from the dead): Paul’s apostleship is in resurrection; the sphere and element of the new creation. His authority is from the resurrected Christ and is in the power of resurrection. Resurrection is something that thrives in death and cannot be damaged or defeated; it multiplies life in adversity and nothing can hold it down or destroy it! Paul was commissioned by the resurrected and glorified Lord and was, in all respects and apostle—a qualified witness of this resurrection and recipient of its power!