A.T. Robertson Commentary Galatians 1

Not from men, neither through men (ουκ απ' ανθρωπων ουδε δι' ανθρωπου). The bluntness of Paul's denial is due to the charge made by the Judaizers that Paul was not a genuine apostle because not one of the twelve. This charge had been made in Corinth and called forth the keenest irony of Paul (2 Corinthians 10-12). In Ga 1; 2 Paul proves his independence of the twelve and his equality with them as recognized by them. Paul denies that his apostleship had a human source (ουκ απ' ανθρωπων) and that it had come to him through (δι' ανθρωπου) a human channel (Burton).

But through Jesus Christ and God the Father (αλλα δια Ιησου Χριστου κα θεου πατρος). The call to be an apostle came to Paul through Jesus Christ as he claimed in 1 Corinthians 9:1 and as told in Ac 9:4-6; 22:7ff.; 26:16f.. He is apostle also by the will of God.

Who raised him from the dead (του εγειραντος αυτον εκ νεκρων). And therefore Paul was qualified to be an apostle since he had seen the Risen Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8f.). This verb εγειρω is often used in N.T. for raising from the sleep of death, to wake up the dead.

All the brethren which are with me (ο συν εμο παντες αδελφο). The same phrase in Php 4:21 in distinction from the saints in verse 22. Probably the small company of travelling companions.

Unto the churches of Galatia (ταις εκκλησιαις της Γαλατιας). A circular letter therefore to all the churches in the province (both South Galatia and North Galatia if he really laboured there).

Grace to you and peace (χαρις υμιν κα ειρηνη). As in I Thess., II Thess., I Cor., II Cor. (already written) and in all the later Epistles save that in I and II Timothy "mercy" is added. But this customary salutation (see on 1 Thessalonians 1:1) is not a perfunctory thing with Paul. He uses it here even when he has so much fault to find just as he did in I and II Corinthians.

For our sins (υπερ των αμαρτιων). Some MSS. have περ (concerning). In the Koine this use of υπερ as like περ has come to be common. He refers to the death of Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3; Galatians 2:20; Romans 5:6f.). As a rule περ occurs of things, υπερ of persons.

Deliver (εξελητα). Second aorist middle subjunctive (final clause with οπως) of εξαιρεω, old verb to pluck out, to rescue (Acts 23:27). "Strikes the keynote of the epistle. The gospel is a rescue, an emancipation from a state of bondage" (Lightfoot).

Out of this present evil world (εκ του αιωνος του ενεστωτος πονηρου). Literally, "out of the age the existing one being evil." The predicate position of πονηρου calls emphatic attention to it. Each word here is of interest and has been already discussed. See on Mt 13:22 for αιων, Matthew 6:23 for πονηρος. Ενεστωτος is genitive masculine singular of ενεστως second perfect (intransitive) participle of ενιστημ for which see on 2 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:22; 7:26. It is present as related to future (Romans 8:38; Hebrews 9:9).

According to the will of God (κατα το θελημα του θεου). Not according to any merit in us.

To whom be the glory (ω η δοξα). No verb in the Greek. For like doxologies see Ro 9:5; 11:36; 16:27; Ephesians 3:21; 1 Timothy 1:17.