Galatians 1:4
What does Galatians 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:4 means
Paul centers everything on Christ’s self-giving: Jesus “gave himself for our sins” to rescue us from “this present evil world,” all in line with the Father’s will. The Gospel is substitutionary and liberating. Our sins demanded judgment; Christ bore that judgment in our place. The result is deliverance—not escape from creation but freedom from the enslaving power, values, and condemnation of the present age opposed to God. This saving plan is not humanly devised; it is “according to the will of our God and Father.” Grace, therefore, originates in God’s purpose and is accomplished by Christ’s cross, providing the only true rescue.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who gave himself for our sins, so that he might make us free from this present evil world, after the purpose of our God and Father:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who did give himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of the present evil age, according to the will of God even our Father,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present wicked world, according to the will of God and our Father:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who gave himself for our sins, so that he should deliver us out of the present evil world, according to the will of ourGod and Father;
Context
This verse is the Gospel kernel of the greeting. It explains the grace and peace of verse 3 and sets the theological standard by which all teaching will be measured in the chapter. Immediately Paul doxologizes (verse 5), then contrasts this true, saving message with the “different gospel” troubling Galatia (verses 6–7). Reading this summary first ensures the reader judges every rival message by whether it preserves Christ’s self-giving rescue according to the Father’s will.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 6:12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Mark 10:45
For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- Revelation 7:9
After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and ofalltribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;
- Matthew 26:28
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto remission of sins.
- John 5:30
I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
- John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.
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