---
title: Galatians 1:1
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/galatians-1-1/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/galatians-1-1.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Galatians 1:1
testament: NT
section: Letters
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Galatians 1:1

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—

## JW Usage

JWs acknowledge that Paul was an apostle commissioned by God and Christ. The verse is used in the context of resurrection discussions, since Paul credits the Father with raising Jesus from the dead. The JW reading emphasises that only Jehovah (not Jesus himself) performed the resurrection.

## Protestant Usage

Paul identifies himself as "an apostle, not from men nor through a man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him up from the dead." His apostleship bypassed all human intermediaries — a direct divine commission. This is significant for two reasons: (1) it establishes apostolic authority as personally conferred by the risen Christ, not by organisational appointment, making the office non-transferable; and (2) the resurrection is attributed to "God the Father" here, while John 2:19–21 attributes it to Jesus himself and Romans 8:11 attributes it to the Holy Spirit. Four passages, four agents, one event — a trinitarian pattern pointing to one divine act. Every text is in the NWT unaltered.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [The Trinitarian Resurrection — Who Raised Jesus from the Dead?](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/trinitarian-resurrection.md) — John 2:19 / Galatians 1:1 / Romans 8:11 [Deity of Christ]
- [Acts 15 — A One-Time Council, Not a Standing Body](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/acts15-one-time-not-template.md) — The Jerusalem meeting never reconvened, never legislated again, never appointed successors [Authority]
- [Foundation Laid Once — Apostles Are Not a Perpetual Office](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/apostles-foundation-eph220.md) — Ephesians 2:20 — A foundation is poured once, and the building stands on it forever [Authority]
- [Paul's Greeting Puts Jesus Beside the Father](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/pauline-greeting-formula.md) — Galatians 1:1-3 — Co-Source of Grace and Peace [Deity of Christ]