And they glorified God
This phrase highlights the ultimate purpose of Paul's ministry and transformation: to bring glory to God. The early church recognized the profound change in Paul, who once persecuted Christians but now preached the faith he once tried to destroy. This transformation is a testament to God's power and grace. In the broader biblical context, glorifying God is a central theme (1 Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 5:16). It reflects the idea that all believers are called to live in a way that honors God, demonstrating His work in their lives.

because of me.
Paul's personal testimony served as a powerful witness to the early Christians. His dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19) and subsequent ministry were evidence of God's intervention and the truth of the Gospel. This phrase underscores the impact of a transformed life on others, encouraging believers to share their own stories of faith. Paul's life exemplifies the concept of being a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). His transformation also fulfills the prophecy of being a chosen instrument to carry God's name before the Gentiles (Acts 9:15).

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Galatians, Paul is recounting his transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a preacher of the Gospel. His life change is a testament to God's power and grace.

2. The Churches of Judea
These early Christian communities had heard of Paul's conversion and were glorifying God because of the radical change in his life.

3. Paul's Conversion
A pivotal event where Paul, formerly known as Saul, encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, leading to his conversion from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle.Transformation as a Testimony
Paul's life transformation serves as a powerful testimony to God's grace. Our own transformations can similarly lead others to glorify God.

The Power of God's Grace
Paul's account highlights the boundless grace of God, capable of redeeming even the most unlikely individuals. This encourages us to never lose hope for anyone's salvation.

Living for God's Glory
Our lives should be lived in such a way that they point others to God, leading them to glorify Him.

The Impact of a Changed Life
A genuine change in one's life can have a profound impact on others, encouraging them to seek God and recognize His power.

Community and Witness
The response of the Judean churches underscores the importance of community in recognizing and celebrating God's work in individuals' lives.1. What is the meaning of Galatians 1:24?

2. How can we glorify God through our actions as seen in Galatians 1:24?

3. What does Galatians 1:24 teach about the impact of personal transformation?

4. How does Galatians 1:24 connect with Matthew 5:16 on glorifying God?

5. In what ways can our lives lead others to glorify God today?

6. How can we ensure our testimonies reflect God's work, as in Galatians 1:24?

7. How does Galatians 1:24 demonstrate the transformative power of faith in God?

8. Why did Paul emphasize glorifying God in Galatians 1:24?

9. What historical context influenced the message of Galatians 1:24?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Galatians 1?

11. Why did Paul travel to Arabia post-conversion?

12. Is everything permissible also beneficial?

13. Can humans see God and live? (Exodus 33:20 vs. Exodus 24:9-11)

14. How can I overcome sin?And

• The word signals continuity, tying verse 24 to Paul’s testimony in Galatians 1:22-23:

“I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’”

• It reminds us that God loves to finish what He starts (Philippians 1:6), linking Paul’s past with his present.

• Just as Acts 9:26-31 records Paul being welcomed in Judea after his conversion, the “and” shows the natural outcome of a redeemed life—praise rising to God.

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they

• “They” refers to the Judean believers (Galatians 1:22).

• These were people who once feared Paul’s persecution but now observed his transformation.

• Their response mirrors the early church’s reaction when Peter explained Cornelius’s conversion: “When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God” (Acts 11:18).

• Ordinary Christians, not just apostles, are celebrating—proof that every believer can recognize God’s handiwork.

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glorified God

• To glorify God is to give Him public credit for His mighty works.

• Examples:

– After the healing of the crippled beggar, “all the people glorified God” (Acts 4:21).

– When the blind man was healed, “he followed Jesus, glorifying God” (Luke 18:43).

• The churches saw in Paul what Jesus promised: “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

• Their praise underlines that salvation and ministry are God’s accomplishments, not human achievements (Ephesians 2:8-10).

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because of me

• Paul’s life became a living sermon:

– Once “breathing threats” (Acts 9:1), now “preaching the faith” (Galatians 1:23).

– “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

• God turned a persecutor into an apostle so dramatically that believers could not help but celebrate.

• Paul later tells Timothy, “For this reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the foremost of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience” (1 Timothy 1:16-17).

• His story assures us that no one is beyond God’s reach and that transformed lives naturally point others to the Savior (2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

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summary

Galatians 1:24 shows the ripple effect of God’s grace: the conjunction “And” links Paul’s past to God’s ongoing work; “they” highlights the watching church; “glorified God” captures their heartfelt praise; and “because of me” reveals a life so changed that it redirects attention to the Lord. When God rewrites a person’s story, His people rejoice, and He alone receives the glory.

(24) They glorified God in me.--This verse represents the proper attitude of Christian hero-worship. An eminent Christian is like a "city set on a hill." But the admiration which he attracts does not rest in him; it is made the occasion for giving praise to God.

Verse 24. - And they glorified God in me (καὶ ἐδόξαζον ἐν ἐμοὶ τὸν Θεόν); and they were glorifying God in me; that is, for what they recognized as God s work in me and through me; in my own conversion, and in my effective ministering of the gospel to others. The ἐν denotes the sphere in which they found occasion for praising God. Instances of a somewhat similar use of the preposition are 1 Corinthians 4:2, Ζητεῖται ἐν τοῖς οἰκονόμοις: ver. 6, Ἵνα ἐν ἡμῖν μάθητε: 9:15, Ἵνα οὕτω γένηται ἐν ἐμοί. The sentence is not essential to the line of thought in vers. 21-23. The apostle was probably prompted to add it by the complacency which he felt in the interest and sympathy which in those days the Jewish Churches showed towards him - sentiments which afterwards faded too much away into those of suspicion and alienation (comp. Acts 21:21). He rejoices to remember, and he will have the Galatian Churchmen know, that once the believers of the circumcision were proud of him, and were satisfied that he was preaching the true gospel of Christ. And his preaching was the same now as it had been then. ADDITIONAL NOTES.

Parallel Commentaries ...


And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they glorified
ἐδόξαζον (edoxazon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1392: To glorify, honor, bestow glory on. From doxa; to render glorious.

God
Θεόν (Theon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

because of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

me.
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Letters: Galatians 1:24 And they glorified God in me (Gal. Ga)