Galatians – Chapter 1

New Testament24 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 1 of Galatians begins: "Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:" The chapter centers on James, Peter and Paul. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and faith and trust in God. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:

2And all the brethren who are with me: to the churches of Galatia.

3Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present wicked world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5To whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.

7Which is not another: only there are some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.

9As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.

10For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

12For neither did I receive it of man: nor did I learn it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion: how that, beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God and wasted it.

14And I made progress in the Jew's religion above many of my equals in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15But when it pleased him who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace,

16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles: immediately I condescended not to flesh and blood.

17Neither went I to Jerusalem, to the apostles who were before me: but I went into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus.

18Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter: and I tarried with him fifteen days.

19But other of the apostles I saw none, saving James the brother of the Lord.

20Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21Afterwards, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

22And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ:

23But they had heard only: He, who persecuted us in times past doth now preach the faith which once he impugned.

24And they glorified God in me.

Important Verses in Galatians 1

Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

Galatians 1:3

I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.

Galatians 1:6

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion: how that, beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God and wasted it.

Galatians 1:13

Historical Context

Galatians addresses the churches of Galatia, tempted to trade the Gospel for legal observance within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 1 of 6 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. James, Peter and Paul appear at the center of the events recorded here. The passage starts with these words: "Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:" The final verse reads: "And they glorified God in me. " Read against its original backdrop, Written in white heat when agitators told Paul's Gentile converts they must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law to be saved. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 49-55.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 49-55

Catholic Commentary

The letter combines theological exposition with pastoral exhortation for believers. A pivotal line is verse 3: "Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ," The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Galatians 1 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church teaches that faith works through love (CIC 1814). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2466).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

James1 mentionPeter1 mentionPaul1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Galatians Chapter 1, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of intercession for others bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Galatians Chapter 1 about?

Galatians 1 contains 24 verses. It opens with "Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:" and closes with "And they glorified God in me. ". The book as a whole is epistle.

What is a key verse in Galatians 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Galatians Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions James, Peter, Paul.

Who wrote Galatians and when?

The Apostle Paul. About AD 49-55.

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