Words matter. In Greek especially, small words carry big weight—none more than prepositions. They mark out the difference between source and instrument, between origin and means. A single shift in a preposition can change the entire meaning of a sentence. Think of how, in our world, saying a package came from Amazon differs from saying it came through Amazon—one describes the source, the other the delivery method. In the same way, Paul’s introduction to the Galatians hinges on prepositional precision.
“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.”
Galatians 1:1
Paul’s use of prepositions here is striking. In describing his apostleship, he makes two negatives and one positive (with another positive implied). His point, unpacked throughout the letter, is that his call to gospel ministry came entirely from the will of God and by the means of Christ. The Galatians needed this reminder because false teachers claimed otherwise.
First, Paul is not an apostle “from men.” The word “from” indicates source. His apostleship did not originate in the minds of men. No group decided to send him. He was not an apostle of men, nor an ambassador for men.
Second, Paul is not an apostle “through man.” The singular form of “man” points to mankind in general and contrasts with Jesus in the next clause. The preposition “through” expresses means. No human was the instrument of Paul’s call. Not even indirectly. God did not use any man to appoint Paul.
Third, Paul is an apostle “through Jesus Christ.” Clearly, Paul is making a contrast with the word “through,” showing that Jesus, not man, was the instrument God used to call Paul into ministry. Which leads to the final question—who was the source?
Fourth, Paul is an apostle “from God the Father.” Though not stated outright, the fourth preposition is implied. The Father is the source, Jesus the instrument. God raised Christ from the dead and through Him called Paul into service.
If Paul had been called by man, he would be bound to please man. But he was called by God—so he served Christ alone.
This theme unfolds across Galatians. Beginning in Galatians 1:11, Paul explains how his conversion and call came not “from any man, nor was I taught [the gospel], but I received it through revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:12). He reminds the Galatians of his devotion to Judaism before God revealed His Son to him (Gal. 1:13–16). Paul did not consult with anyone—not even the apostles—for three years (Gal. 1:17–18). Only after that time did he briefly visit Peter and James, before continuing his ministry independent of human commissioning (Gal. 1:19–24).
Even when Paul finally met with the apostles in Jerusalem years later, they confirmed his call but did not confer it (Gal. 2:1–10). And when Peter himself faltered in Antioch, Paul rebuked him—not as a subordinate but as an equal, because both shared the same divine call (Gal. 2:11–14).
Indeed, Paul’s apostleship was by the wisdom of the Father and through the Son. That’s why he could declare with confidence:
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a slave of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10
Prepositions matter. If Paul had been called by man, he would be bound to please man. But because he was called by God through Christ, he lived as a servant of Christ alone, seeking His approval above all.
We may not argue over apostleship today, but the same prepositions still confront us. Are we living from men and through men, chasing their approval? Or are we living from God and through Christ, serving Him alone? The difference is only a word—but it changes everything about whose voice we obey and whose smile we seek.
