“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:3-5, Paul’s “salutation” (or “opening greeting”) to the Churches of Galatia.
Pretty routine, these words, from Paul’s perspective anyway.
“Grace” is most often how one would say Hello to a Greek, a gentile. (In Greek “charis,” in the literary world meaning that which brings “joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, etc.”)
And “peace” (in Greek “eirene”) is the greeting extended to any “Jews” who may have been in the area.
Paul wants everyone included! Everyone who professes to be saved, everyone in the local churches in Galatia. (Just like Paul’s God is a “Whosoever will may come” Lord and Master!)
Note the “doctrine” Paul has inserted here in his opening, our Lord Jesus Christ is placed on equal footing as God the Father! Already emphasizing Jesus’ Ability to provide Salvation … without the help of the Law of Moses!
Then come two Jesus verbs … He GAVE Himself … to DELIVER us! Paul is this soon preaching the Grace of God to provide salvation! Jesus laid down His Life! (As opposed to just being “murdered!”) Why? To “lift us out” of our sinful lives! (“Didomai” and “exaireo” being the verbs at hand. If you want to study them further.)
And look again: God willed our salvation. But Jesus bought, provided, gave our salvation! (The noun for “will” is “thelema” meaning what one “desires,” what “brings one pleasure!” Yes, GOD IS LOVE.)
This too, the “evil world” (“poneros aion” meaning “a progressively sinful and wicked age”) in which we live is only temporary! It’s the “present” evil world, implying not “eternal!” God will burn it some day, replacing it with a “new earth” says the Book of Revelation. Well, Peter teaches this too. As did Isaiah!)
Then finally Paul reaches the climax of his greeting, with a word of praise to God! “To Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Wow! This is characteristically Pauline! He often, when teaching, has to stop and pray, to magnify the One Whom he serves. The One on Whom he has been discoursing!
What an opening Statement!
And to the Galatians!
Now tomorrow, the Lord willing, Paul immediately segues into his first discussion of the problem at hand. The Galatians’ veering from the Grace of God!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell