Galatians 1:11
What does Galatians 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:11 means
Paul makes a formal declaration: the Gospel he preached is “not after man.” It does not originate in human speculation, tradition, or philosophy. The good news he proclaims stands outside the normal chain of human transmission. This is crucial, because the issue in Galatia concerns adding human requirements to divine grace. If the Gospel is from God, it cannot be improved by human additions. Paul is preparing to show that his message was received independently of the Jerusalem apostles, not to oppose them, but to prove that the source of his Gospel is the same as theirs—God’s revelation in Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because I say to you, my brothers, that the good news of which I was the preacher is not man's.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that were proclaimed by me, that it is not according to man,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I let you know, brethren, [as to] the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man.
Context
After asserting his God-ward motives, Paul states the transcendence of his message. The next verse specifies that he neither received nor learned it from human teachers, but through revelation of Jesus Christ. Then he will turn to autobiographical evidence: his former persecution of the church, zeal in Judaism, and dramatic call, all to demonstrate that no natural pathway could explain his Gospel. This claim supports the absolute standard he set in verses 8–9 against any different message.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1
Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
- Ephesians 3:3
how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words,
- 1 Corinthians 11:23
For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;
- Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, Andwhichentered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
- Romans 2:16
in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
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