How did Paul defend his apostleship in Galatians 1:1?
Paul asserted that his apostolic authority came not from men nor through any man; no man or group of men commissioned him. Instead, he was made an apostle by Jesus Christ and God the Father, the One who raised Christ from the dead. This defense rested on divine commission, not human authorization.
Les explains that in Galatians chapter 1, Paul is again defending his apostleship. Paul writes that he is an apostle not of men, neither by man, meaning no man or group of men commissioned him. Rather, his apostleship was by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead. Les notes that Paul constantly brings in the fact that Christ died and rose from the dead. This relates to the problem of the Galatian believers being pressured to go back under the law, into legalism, doing and keeping things. Paul hurriedly wrote to restrain them and wake them up, saying they are not under law but under grace.
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
More Questions
Why does Paul begin Galatians by calling himself an apostle?
In Galatians 1:1 Paul immediately reminds his hearers of the authority of his apostleship; he always comes at that first, asserting his absolute authority to proclaim the truths he is proclaiming.
What does Paul remind his readers of right away in Galatians chapter 1 verse 1?
At the very start of Galatians, Paul immediately reminds his hearers of the authority of his apostleship.