Galatians 1:2-5 Meaning: Who Are "All the Brothers"?
2and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
3Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—
5to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
2And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2and all the brethren that are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
3Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4who 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:
5to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2and all the brethren with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:
3Grace to you, and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4who 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,
5to whom is the glory to the ages of the ages. Amen.
2and all the brethren with me, to the assemblies of Galatia.
3Grace to you, and peace, from God [the] Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave himself for our sins, so that he should deliver us out of the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father;
5to whom [be] glory to the ages of ages. Amen.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Paul include "all the brothers" in his greeting? It underscored unity and countered false teachers. Plus the gospel summed up in one verse.
Context
Paul is writing to several churches in the region of Galatia, where he had preached during his missionary journeys. But soon after he left, some teachers arrived and started saying that faith in Christ was not enough, you also had to follow the Jewish law. Paul is alarmed (as verse 6 shows), and he opens his letter with a greeting that does more than wish them well. He associates "all the brothers" with him, showing he is not alone in his message. And he immediately anchors them in the heart of the gospel: Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age. This is the truth they are drifting from.
Key Words
Three Greek words give this passage its weight. First, the phrase gave himself renders a verb (didōmi) and a reflexive pronoun (heauton) that together mean Christ did not give something, he gave himself. The gift was personal and costly, not a detached transaction. Second, deliver us is from exaireō, which means to pluck out or snatch away. It is the word you would use for pulling someone from a burning building. This is not a polite request; it is a rescue. Third, this present evil age uses aiōn for "age" and ponēros for "evil". The word aiōn points to the current era, the whole way the world thinks and operates apart from God. It is not the physical earth but the system of values that opposes him. Together these words picture a rescue so desperate and a gift so complete that nothing else needs to be added.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have understood the "present evil age" in different lights. Wesley and Adam Clarke see it as the guilt, wickedness, and misery of the world, including bondage to Jewish ceremonies and vain customs. The Cambridge Bible includes the whole fallen order from which Christ delivers us. As for the "brothers", some commentators think Paul meant his traveling companions and fellow ministers (Barnes, Calvin). Others, like Gill, believe he referred to the local church where he was staying. Both readings agree on one thing: Paul is not standing alone. He surrounds himself with other witnesses, showing that his gospel is not a private opinion.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume "this present evil world" means the physical earth is evil, or that Christians should try to escape the planet. In fact, Paul's word for "world" here is not kosmos (the created order) but aiōn (age). He means the current era under the influence of sin. And the verb "deliver" (exaireō) means to rescue, not to vanish. Christians are not called to abandon the earth but to live in it as people already set free.
Living This Out
This passage asks something of you when you feel pulled back into trying to earn God's favor. Maybe you have been thinking God will love you more if you pray longer, give more, or follow stricter rules. Paul would say: remember the gospel. Christ already gave himself for your sins. His purpose was to rescue you from the grip of this age, the pressure to perform, the fear of not measuring up. This week, when you sense that pressure, stop and say to yourself: "He gave himself for me. I am delivered." Then live as someone free, not as someone still trying to escape the cage.
Main takeaway: Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, all according to the Father's will.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus loved you so much that He gave Himself to take away your sins. He wants you to be safe with Him, not trapped by wrong things.
For ages 9, 12
Paul wanted the Galatian Christians to remember the most important thing: Jesus gave Himself to rescue us from this evil age. That means He did not just forgive us; He set us free from the world's bad influences. Sometimes you might feel pressure to fit in or to earn God's love by being good. But Paul says the rescue is already done. You can live in freedom.
Questions People Ask
Who are "all the brothers" in Galatians 1:2?
Paul mentions "all the brothers" who are with him. Most commentators think these are his fellow ministers traveling with him, though some think they are the whole church where he was staying. Either way, Paul is showing he is not alone in his teaching. He wants the Galatians to see that many others agree with the gospel he preached.
What does Paul mean by "this present evil age"? Is he saying the world is evil?
Paul uses the Greek word aiōn, meaning age or era, not kosmos for the created world. He means the current stretch of time and its dominant way of thinking, which is shaped by rebellion against God. It is not the physical earth that is evil but the values and powers that run through this age. Christ came to rescue us from that corrupt system.
Why did Paul write a greeting like this to the Galatians?
Paul was concerned because false teachers had disturbed the Galatian churches, adding requirements like keeping the law to faith in Christ. By including "all the brothers" in the greeting, he shows unity. And by immediately stating Christ's self-giving and its purpose, he reminds them of the very gospel they were in danger of leaving.
What does it mean that Christ "gave himself for our sins"?
It means Jesus willingly offered his own life as the sacrifice to deal with the problem of human sin. The Greek phrase emphasizes that he gave his whole self, not a mere gift. This was a personal and costly act. Through his death, forgiveness and rescue become available to everyone who trusts him.
Why is there a doxology in verse 5 right after the greeting?
Paul often bursts into praise when he thinks about God's grace. Here, after describing Christ's self-giving and rescue, he cannot help but ascribe glory to God. The doxology shows that the whole plan of salvation originates with God the Father and is worthy of endless praise. It sets a tone of worship before Paul even starts his main argument.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study