Insights
Galatia was a Roman province, a geographical region or territory-kind of like a state. Paul was writing to a number of churches in that province. There is some argument over whether or not "Galatia" was an ethnic term, so we're not quite sure if Paul was writing to a specific people group or if he was writing to specific churches in a geographical area. Either way, he was most likely writing to the churches he founded on his first missionary journey, recorded in Acts 13 and 14-the churches in Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Derbe, and Lystra.

Paul opened this letter, as he always did, identifying himself and greeting his readers. Because some were questioning his authority as an apostle, Paul reminds them that he was an apostle because Christ himself had raised him to that position. In his letters, Paul sometimes sounds arrogant, but it is simply that he had complete confidence in who he was in Christ Jesus. Humility doesn't always look like what we expect.

His opening wished them "grace and peace" from God. God's mercy and love brings peace to our hearts and that's what Paul wanted for the Galatians. It is God's will that we be saved from evil, glory to God!

So What?
Do you tend to think of "humble" people as wimps or weaklings? The American Heritage Dictionary says humble people are "marked by a meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful" (humble. Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hubmle [accessed January 11, 2007]). Jesus called himself "humble" (Matthew 11:29) and said that "whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Humility is a strength that comes from a right understanding of our position in the Lord, giving courage to address right and wrong without concern for the approval of others. Jesus had this, Paul had this, and we can have it also, along with God's grace and peace.