Galatians 1:11
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 15
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
which
G3588
τὸ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐαγγελισθὲν
was preached
G2097
εὐαγγελισθὲν
was preached
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
8 of 15
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ὑπ'
of
G5259
ὑπ'
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
9 of 15
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Galatians 1:1Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)1 Corinthians 11:23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Historical Context
Ancient teachers gained authority through prestigious pedigrees tracing teaching lineages to respected masters. Rabbis cited chains of tradition from Moses through rabbinical schools. Greek philosophers formed schools under founding masters (Platonists, Aristotelians, Stoics, Epicureans). Paul's claim to unmediated divine revelation was counterintuitive and suspicious—religious innovators were dangerous. The Judaizers' link to Jerusalem apostles gave them credibility Paul lacked unless his divine commission was genuine. His Damascus road encounter (Acts 9) became not peripheral conversion story but central apostolic credential.
Questions for Reflection
- What criteria determine whether teaching originates from God or merely represents human wisdom dressed in religious language?
- Why is apostolic authority essential for establishing New Testament canon and church doctrine?
- What role do church tradition, scholarly consensus, and personal experience play in discerning biblical truth?
Analysis & Commentary
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. Paul begins autobiography defending his gospel's divine origin. "I certify" (gnōrizō, γνωρίζω) means "make known, inform, declare"—formal announcement. "Brethren" (adelphoi) softens confrontational tone; despite severe rebuke, they remain family. "The gospel which was preached of me" (the gospel preached by me) refers to his message's content.
"Is not after man" (ouk estin kata anthrōpon, οὐκ ἔστιν κατὰ ἄνθρωπον) means not according to human origin, standard, or design—not human invention, tradition, or reasoning. The negative ouk flatly denies human source. This prepares for verses 12-17 where Paul narrates his independent divine commission.
Paul's defense matters because the Judaizers attacked his authority. If his gospel came from Jerusalem apostles but he taught differently, he's schismatic. If he invented his gospel, he's a heretic. Paul's solution: his gospel came directly from Christ, independent of Jerusalem but identical in content. This made his authority equal to, not derivative from, the Twelve.