Galatians 1:10

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἄρτι
G737
now
just now
#2
γὰρ
G1063
For
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#3
ἀνθρώποις
G444
men
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#4
πείθω
G3982
do I
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
#5
ἢ
G2228
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#6
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
θεόν
G2316
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#8
ἢ
G2228
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#9
ζητῶ
G2212
do I seek
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
#10
ἀνθρώποις
G444
men
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#11
ἤρεσκον
G700
I
to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so)
#12
εἰ
G1487
if
if, whether, that, etc
#13
γὰρ
G1063
For
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
#14
ἔτι
G2089
yet
"yet," still (of time or degree)
#15
ἀνθρώποις
G444
men
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#16
ἤρεσκον
G700
I
to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so)
#17
Χριστοῦ
G5547
of Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#18
δοῦλος
G1401
the servant
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
#19
οὐκ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#20
ἂν
G302
I should
whatsoever
#21
ἤμην
G2252
be
i was

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection