And all the brethren who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
All Commentaries on Galatians 1:2 Go To Galatians 1
John Chrysostom
AD 407
And all the brethren which are with me.
Why is it that he has on no other occasion in sending an epistle added this phrase? For either he puts his own name only or that of two or three others, but here has mentioned the whole number and so has mentioned no one by name.
On what account then does he this?
They made the slanderous charge that he was singular in his preaching, and desired to introduce novelty in Christian teaching. Wishing therefore to remove their suspicion, and to show he had many to support him in his doctrine, he has associated with himself the brethren, to show that what he wrote he wrote with their accord.
Unto the Churches of Galatia.
Thus it appears, that the flame of error had spread over not one or two cities merely, but the whole Galatian people. Consider too the grave indignation contained in the phrase, unto the Churches of Galatia: he does not say, to the beloved or to the sanctified, and this omission of all names of affection or respect, and this speaking of them as a society merely, without the addition Churches of God, for it is simply Churches of Galatia, is strongly expressive of deep concern and sorrow. Here at the outset, as well as elsewhere, he attacks their irregularities, and therefore gives them the name of Churches, in order to shame them, and reduce them to unity. For persons split into many parties cannot properly claim this appellation, for the name of Church is a name of harmony and concord.
