Paul’s Earliest Interpretation of the Cross
Five Truths About the Death of Jesus In Galatians 1:1–5
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Galatians is probably the earliest letter Paul wrote, and at the beginning of this letter, he wrote about what Jesus did on the cross. In approximately AD 49, Paul wrote the following words:
Galatians 1:1–5: Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
We can note at least five observations about Jesus’s death in these verses.
First, Jesus’s death was voluntary. The Jews did not seize Jesus apart from his will. The Romans did not crucify him without his submission. Paul said Jesus “gave himself” (Gal. 1:4). Though onlookers would’ve seen soldiers ushering Jesus to the place of crucifixion and nailing him to the cross, every step Jesus took was voluntary. In Matthew 26:43, Jesus asked, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Nevertheless, no appeal was made, and no angels were sent. The voluntary death of Jesus was underway.
Second, Jesus’s death was planned. Why did no angels rescue Jesus from the clutches of Rome? Because the death of Jesus was the divine plan from the foundation of the world. Jesus gave himself “according to the will of our God and Father” (Gal. 1:4). The plans of the Jewish leaders were subject to higher plans. The disciples would gather and pray in Acts 4, “For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:27–28).
Third, Jesus’s death was substitutionary. Paul wrote that Jesus gave himself “for our sins” (Gal. 1:4). We deserved judgment for our sins, and Christ took our sins and the corresponding judgment upon himself. He satisfied the divine judgment for transgressions. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The substitutionary nature of the cross is what establishes atonement and makes the gospel good news. Jesus went to the cross to die in the place of sinners.
Fourth, Jesus’s death was liberating. According to Galatians 1:4, Jesus gave himself for our sins “to deliver us from the present evil age.” The present evil age contrasts with the age to come. While the age to come is marked by blessing and peace and life with God, this present evil age is marked by sin and corruption and the curse. The deliverance (mentioned in 1:4) is not entirely future. Christ has inaugurated his deliverance in our lives. How does Jesus’s death “deliver us” from the present evil age? We are liberated from bondage to sin and its condemnation. In Christ Jesus we are now justified and pardoned. We have peace with God now, eternal life in Christ now, and spiritual blessings through the Holy Spirit now. The fullness of our deliverance from the present evil age will occur when Christ returns and raises us from the dead.
Fifth, Jesus’s death was overcome. Paul opened his letter to the Galatians by claiming to be an apostle of the living Christ. He makes this point by saying the Father “raised” Jesus “from the dead” (Gal. 1:1). The third-day resurrection was the vindication of the crucified Christ. We not only need to know that Christ died for us, we need to know that he was raised from the cords of corruption. The death of Jesus was not the end of Jesus. It was no defeat. His death was overcome on the third day. The cross was a victory, and the resurrection proved it.
If the letter to the Galatians is Paul’s earliest letter, then Galatians 1:1–5 is Paul’s earliest interpretation of the cross. Sometimes scholars have suggested that the letter of James was the earliest New Testament letter, but that letter does not speak about Christ’s cross. No matter when James is dated, then, Paul’s letter to the Galatians would be the earliest New Testament letter engaging the message of the cross.
Aside from the New Testament letters, the book of Revelation was written later than Galatians, as was the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of John, and the book of Acts. What about the two remaining New Testament books—Matthew and Mark? Were the First and Second Gospels written before AD 49 (the likely date when Paul wrote Galatians)? Most scholars date Matthew and Mark after AD 49, though a pre-AD 49 date is certainly possible.
Given the above considerations, Galatians 1:1–5 may be the earliest New Testament record about the cross of Jesus. According to Paul, Jesus’s death was voluntary, planned, substitutionary, liberating, and overcome.