How does Paul's apostleship in Galatians 1:1 affirm divine authority over human authority? Galatians 1:1 — The Text at a Glance “Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—” Why Paul Starts Here • By leading with his divine commissioning, Paul frames the entire letter around God’s authority, not a human committee’s. • The Galatians are about to be confronted about drifting toward a man-made gospel (1:6–9); Paul first establishes that his words carry heaven’s weight. Divine Commission Versus Human Appointment • “Sent not from men nor by man” – No earthly council created Paul’s office. – No popular vote or ordination ceremony conferred it. • “but by Jesus Christ and God the Father” – His call is rooted in the risen Lord’s direct appearance (Acts 9:3-6). – God the Father co-authors the commission, underscoring ultimate authority. • Immediate implication: To reject Paul’s gospel is to reject the God who sent him (cf. John 13:20; Matthew 10:40). The Resurrection Seal • “who raised Him from the dead” – The resurrection validates Jesus’ lordship (Romans 1:4). – It proves God’s power to back Paul’s message; if God can raise the dead, He can certainly authorize an apostle. – It links apostolic authority to the core of the gospel itself (1 Corinthians 15:14-15). Consistency Across Scripture • Acts 9:15 — “This man is My chosen instrument…” • Acts 26:16 — “I have appeared to you to appoint you…” • 1 Corinthians 1:1 — “Paul, called…by the will of God…” • Galatians 1:11-12 — The gospel came “by revelation from Jesus Christ.” • 2 Corinthians 5:20 — Apostles serve as “ambassadors for Christ,” carrying the King’s authority, not their own. Implications for the Galatians • They must weigh Paul’s words as God’s words, not suggestions from a respected teacher. • Any rival message, no matter how persuasive its human source, stands under God’s curse (Galatians 1:8-9). • Trust in the divinely given gospel safeguards freedom; human religion only re-enslaves (Galatians 5:1). Takeaways for Us Today • Scripture’s authority rests on its divine origin; it remains binding even when culture or tradition disagrees. • True ministry is authenticated by faithfulness to Christ’s revealed word, not by titles, popularity, or human endorsement. • By rooting our confidence in the risen Lord, we stand firm when confronted by competing voices—because God’s authority always outranks human authority. |
    |