Galatians 1:3

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

χάρις Grace G5485
χάρις Grace
Strong's: G5485
Word #: 1 of 12
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
ὑμῖν be to you G5213
ὑμῖν be to you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 2 of 12
to (with or by) you
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰρήνη peace G1515
εἰρήνη peace
Strong's: G1515
Word #: 4 of 12
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἀπὸ from G575
ἀπὸ from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 5 of 12
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
θεοῦ God G2316
θεοῦ God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πατρὸς the Father G3962
πατρὸς the Father
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 7 of 12
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 8 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κυρίου Lord G2962
κυρίου Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 9 of 12
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἡμῶν from our G2257
ἡμῶν from our
Strong's: G2257
Word #: 10 of 12
of (or from) us
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 11 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστοῦ Christ G5547
Χριστοῦ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 12 of 12
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Analysis & Commentary

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Standard Pauline greeting combining Greek charis (χάρις, "grace") and Hebrew shalom ("peace"), transformed with theological meaning. Grace refers to God's unmerited favor—Galatians' central theme—while peace (eirēnē, εἰρήνη) denotes reconciliation with God resulting from grace.

Order is significant: grace precedes and produces peace. No peace with God without first receiving His grace. This directly counters the Judaizers' teaching that peace comes through law-keeping. The phrase "from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ" presents a single source with Father and Son in unity—the Greek construction links both, affirming Christ's deity and equality with the Father.

The title "Lord" (kyrios, κύριος) was used for Yahweh in the Septuagint, asserting Christ's divine identity. Calling Jesus kyrios in this Roman imperial context, where emperors claimed divine honors, was both theologically profound and politically subversive.

Historical Context

Greco-Roman letters typically began with chairein ("greetings"), Jewish letters with shalom. Paul's Christian adaptation reflects multicultural early Christianity and the gospel's power to unite Jew and Gentile. "Grace" was countercultural in a merit-based society dominated by patron-client relationships, honor-shame dynamics, and works-righteousness. Rome operated on reciprocity—favors given expecting return. Jewish covenantal nomism emphasized Torah faithfulness. Paul's emphasis on free grace challenged both systems.

Questions for Reflection