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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />(In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now in what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />(Now <i>concerning</i> the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying!)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you as if I were standing before God that I am not lying.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now I am not lying in what I write to you. God is my witness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And in the presence of God I swear I am telling the truth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />(God is my witness that what I'm writing is not a lie.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />What I write is true. God knows that I am not lying! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />(Before God, what I'm writing to you is the truth.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now about the things which I write to you, look, before God, I'm not lying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />In making these assertions I am speaking the truth, as in the sight of God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the things that I write to you, behold, before God—I do not lie;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now in what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the things that I write to you, lo, before God -- I lie not;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And what I write to you, behold, before God, that I lie not.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now what I am writing to you: behold, before God, I am not lying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />(As to what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now the things which I write to you, behold, I confess before God, I do not lie.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But these things that I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />With respect to the things which I now write to you, behold, before God I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Which things moreover I write unto you, behold, before God, that I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Now respecting the things which I write unto you, behold, in the presence of God, I lie not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />what I write to you, I call God to witness is all true:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />In making these assertions I am speaking the truth, as in the sight of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Now as to the things I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />(Now <i>in</i> what I write to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/1-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=164" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Paul Preaches the Gospel</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">I assure you</a> <a href="/greek/1799.htm" title="1799: enōpion (Prep) -- Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.">before</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ha (RelPro-ANP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: graphō (V-PIA-1S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">I am writing</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">to you</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/5574.htm" title="5574: pseudomai (V-PIM/P-1S) -- To deceive, lie, speak falsely. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.">is no lie.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-31.htm">2 Corinthians 11:31</a></span><br />The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Romans 9:1</a></span><br />I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/2-7.htm">1 Timothy 2:7</a></span><br />For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/1-23.htm">2 Corinthians 1:23</a></span><br />I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:5</a></span><br />As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-19.htm">2 Corinthians 12:19</a></span><br />Have you been thinking all along that we were making a defense to you? We speak before God in Christ, and all of this, beloved, is to build you up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-21.htm">1 John 2:21</a></span><br />I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-6.htm">1 John 5:6</a></span><br />This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/21-24.htm">John 21:24</a></span><br />This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-1.htm">1 John 1:1-3</a></span><br />That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our own eyes, which we have gazed upon and touched with our own hands—this is the Word of life. / And this is the life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. / We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-31.htm">1 Corinthians 15:31</a></span><br />I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8</a></span><br />God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3-5</a></span><br />Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35</a></span><br />(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/7-3.htm">Psalm 7:3-5</a></span><br />O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands, / if I have rewarded my ally with evil, if I have plundered my foe without cause, / then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.</p><p class="hdg">behold.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Romans 9:1</a></b></br> I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/11-10.htm">2 Corinthians 11:10,11,31</a></b></br> As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm">Assertions</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-8.htm">Assure</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-16.htm">I'm</a> <a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-19.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-19.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-3.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">Touching</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-8.htm">True.</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-8.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-31.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-10.htm">Write</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_timothy/1-7.htm">Assertions</a> <a href="/1_john/3-19.htm">Assure</a> <a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">I'm</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Lying</a> <a href="/galatians/5-26.htm">Making</a> <a href="/galatians/1-22.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/philippians/3-5.htm">Touching</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">True.</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/galatians/4-15.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/galatians/6-11.htm">Write</a> <a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/1-1.htm">Paul's greeting to the Galatians;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">He wonders why they have so soon left him and the gospel;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">and accurses those who preach any other gospel than he did.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">He learned the gospel not from men, but from God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">and shows what he was before his calling;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/1-17.htm">and what he did immediately after it.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I assure you before God</b><br>In this phrase, Paul emphasizes the seriousness and truthfulness of his statement by invoking God as his witness. This reflects a common practice in ancient times where oaths were made in the presence of a deity to underscore sincerity and accountability. In the Jewish tradition, swearing by God was a solemn act, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-13.htm">Deuteronomy 6:13</a>, which underscores the gravity of Paul's declaration. This also aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Matthew 5:33-37</a>, where He discusses the importance of truthfulness without the need for oaths, highlighting the weight of Paul's assurance.<p><b>that what I am writing to you</b><br>Paul's emphasis on his written communication underscores the importance of the letter as a means of conveying authoritative teaching and correction. In the early church, letters were a primary method of communication, especially for apostles like Paul who traveled extensively. The written word served as a permanent record that could be shared and referenced, ensuring the consistency and preservation of apostolic doctrine. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the written word as a means of divine revelation, as seen in the giving of the Law on tablets in <a href="/exodus/31-18.htm">Exodus 31:18</a>.<p><b>is no lie.</b><br>Paul's insistence on the truthfulness of his message is crucial in the context of the Galatian church, which was being influenced by false teachings. By asserting that he is not lying, Paul defends his apostolic authority and the gospel he preaches. This echoes the broader biblical theme of truth versus falsehood, as seen in passages like <a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>, where Jesus describes Satan as the father of lies. Paul's commitment to truth is also a reflection of the character of God, who is described as a God of truth in passages like <a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Numbers 23:19</a> and <a href="/titus/1-2.htm">Titus 1:2</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Galatians, Paul is defending his apostleship and the gospel he preaches. He emphasizes the truthfulness of his message.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a></b><br>A region in modern-day Turkey where the recipients of the letter resided. The Galatian churches were being influenced by false teachings, prompting Paul's letter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>Paul invokes God as his witness to the truthfulness of his statements, underscoring the seriousness of his claim.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_galatian_churches.htm">The Galatian Churches</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, who were struggling with the influence of Judaizers who insisted on adherence to Jewish law for salvation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a></b><br>A group of Jewish Christians who taught that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be saved.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_communication.htm">Integrity in Communication</a></b><br>Paul’s insistence on the truthfulness of his message highlights the importance of integrity in our communication. As Christians, we should strive to be truthful in all our dealings, reflecting the character of God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_witness.htm">Divine Witness</a></b><br>Invoking God as a witness to our words is a serious matter. It reminds us that God is always aware of our actions and words, and we should live with a consciousness of His presence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/defense_of_the_gospel.htm">Defense of the Gospel</a></b><br>Paul’s defense of his apostleship and the gospel serves as a model for us to be prepared to defend our faith and the truth of the gospel against false teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god's_authority.htm">Reliance on God’s Authority</a></b><br>Paul’s appeal to God’s witness underscores the importance of relying on God’s authority rather than human approval. Our confidence should be rooted in God’s truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/awareness_of_false_teachings.htm">Awareness of False Teachings</a></b><br>The context of Galatians reminds us to be vigilant against false teachings that can distort the gospel. We must be grounded in Scripture to discern truth from error.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_permit_deception.htm">Why does God permit deception?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/oaths__numbers_30_2_vs._matthew_5_34.htm">Should oaths be taken? (Numbers 30:2 vs. Matthew 5:34)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'crucified_with_christ'_metaphorical.htm">Galatians 2:20 - Does Paul's claim of being 'crucified with Christ' indicate a mystical experience unsupported by historical evidence, or is this purely metaphorical language?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_lying_ever_justified.htm">Is it okay to lie? (Exodus 20:16 vs. 1 Kings 22:21-22)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) A solemn asseveration of the truth of these statements as to the extent of the Apostle's relation with the elder disciples.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now the things which I write unto you</span> (<span class="greek">α} δὲ γράφω ὑμῖν</span>); now <span class="accented">as to the things which I am writing to you.</span> The looseness in the Greek of the connection of this clause with the words which follow is similar to what we find in the case of the clause, <span class="greek">ταῦτα α} θεωρεῖτε</span>, in <a href="/luke/21-6.htm">Luke 21:6</a>. The particular things meant are those which are affirmed in vers. 15-19 and to the end of the chapter; points which the Galatians would hardly have become apprised of except upon the apostle's own testimony. What preceded in vers. 13, 14 they <span class="accented">had</span> become acquainted with before, on the testimony of others ("Ye have heard," ver. 13). <span class="cmt_word">Behold, before God, I lie not</span> (<span class="greek">ἰδού ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ</span>, <span class="greek">ὅτι οὐ ψεύδομαι</span>); <span class="accented">behold</span>, <span class="accented">before God</span>, <span class="accented">verily I lie not.</span> The use here of <span class="greek">ὅτι</span>, which in "verily" is paraphrased rather than translated, in this as well as in several other passages of solemn asseveration (<a href="/2_corinthians/1-18.htm">2 Corinthians 1:18</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/11-10.htm">2 Corinthians 11:10</a>; possibly <a href="/romans/9-2.htm">Romans 9:2</a>), savours strongly of Hebraism, being very probably identical with its use for <span class="hebrew">כִּי</span>, the Hebrew "that," in the Septuagint, <span class="accented">e.g.</span> in <a href="/isaiah/49-18.htm">Isaiah 49:18</a>, <span class="greek">Ζῶ ἐγώ λέγει Κύριος ὅτι πάντες αὐτοὺς</span> <span class="greek">ὡς κόσμον ἐνδύσῃ</span>. So in St. Paul's inexact citation in <a href="/romans/14-11.htm">Romans 14:11</a>. On this use of the Hebrew conjunction, see Gesenius, 'Thes.,' p. 678, B, 1, n, who observes that in such cases there is an evident ellipsis of some such verb as "I protest," "I swear." The apostle was frequently led by the gainsaying of adversaries vitally affecting his official or personal character, to have recourse to forms of the most solemn asseveration. In addition to the passages cited above, see <a href="/2_corinthians/1-23.htm">2 Corinthians 1:23</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/11-31.htm">2 Corinthians 11:31</a>; <a href="/romans/1-9.htm">Romans 1:9</a>; <a href="/philippians/1-8.htm">Philippians 1:8</a>; <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:5</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/2-7.htm">1 Timothy 2:7</a>. If, as Alford in effect observes, a report had been spread among the Galatians that, after his conversion, he had spent years at Jerusalem, receiving instruction in the faith at the hands of the apostles, the facts which he has now stated would have seemed to his readers so astoundingly in contradiction to the impression which they had received, as to require a strong confirmatory asseveration." In the present case," as Professor Jowett remarks, "it is a matter of life and death to the apostle to prove his independence of the twelve." And his independence of them is strongly evinced by the fact that, for several years of his Christian life, during all which he was preaching the same gospel as he now preached, he had not even seen any of them except Peter and James the Lord's brother (if James could be reckoned as an apostle), and these only during a short visit of a fortnight at Jerusalem some three years after his conversion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/1-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">I assure you</span><br /><span class="grk">ἰδοὺ</span> <span class="translit">(idou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> </span><span class="str2">See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐνώπιον</span> <span class="translit">(enōpion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1799.htm">Strong's 1799: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of a compound of en and a derivative of optanomai; in the face of.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Theou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="grk">ἃ</span> <span class="translit">(ha)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am writing</span><br /><span class="grk">γράφω</span> <span class="translit">(graphō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῖν</span> <span class="translit">(hymin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is no lie.</span><br /><span class="grk">ψεύδομαι</span> <span class="translit">(pseudomai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5574.htm">Strong's 5574: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deceive, lie, speak falsely. Middle voice of an apparently primary verb; to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/1-20.htm">Galatians 1:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/1-20.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 1:20 Now about the things which I write (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/1-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 1:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 1:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/1-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 1:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 1:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>