VERSE 1. Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead).
The Certainty of Our Calling
VERSE 1. Paul, an apostle, (not of men, etc.)
Elsewhere Paul draws a sharp distinction between an apostleship and lesser functions, as in 1 Corintios 12:28 : "And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers." He mentions the apostles first because they were appointed directly by God.
VERSE 1. And God the Father, who raised him from the dead.