Galatians 1:3
What does Galatians 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:3 means
“Grace” and “peace” are not mere pleasantries; they are the blessings of salvation flowing from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is God’s unearned favor that initiates and sustains salvation. Peace is the reconciled relationship with God that results from grace. By placing Father and Lord Jesus side by side as the source, Paul affirms the full dignity and saving role of Christ. This greeting frames the entire letter: what is at stake in Galatia is nothing less than the experienced grace and peace of the Gospel. To add human requirements would disturb this peace and deny grace at its root.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Grace to you, and peace, fromGod [the] Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Context
The blessing concludes the formal salutation and anticipates the theological heart of the chapter. In the very next verse, Paul explains how grace and peace come—through Christ giving himself for our sins. Then he breaks into praise (verse 5) before turning abruptly to rebuke (verse 6). Recognizing grace and peace as gifts from God through Christ prepares the reader to see why altering the message is so serious: it tampers with the God-ordained way these blessings are received.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 John 1:3
Grace, mercy, peace shall be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
- Romans 1:7
to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
- Ephesians 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Colossians 1:2
to the saints and faithful brethren in Christthat areat Colossæ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
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