Gal 1:11-16 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gal 1:11-2:21: 1:11–2:21 The Judaizers who had come to Galatia preaching faith plus circumcision questioned Paul’s apostleship and attempted to discredit his message. Paul defended his apostolic authority, demonstrating from past events that his message was the true Good News. 1:11 the gospel message I preach: Paul’s message was that people are made right with God by grace through faith, not by obeying the law (see 2:16-17 ; Rom 10:9-13 ; Eph 2:8-9 ).

Summary for Gal 1:11-2:21: 1:11–2:21 ^a The Judaizers who had come to Galatia preaching faith plus circumcision questioned Paul’s apostleship and attempted to discredit his message. Paul defended his apostolic authority, demonstrating from past events that his message was the true Good News. 1:11 ^b the gospel message I preach: Paul’s message was that people are made right with God by grace through faith, not by obeying the law (see 2:16-17 ^c; Rom 10:9-13 ^d; Eph 2:8-9 ^e).
1:12 ^f no human source ... no one taught me: Jewish scholars primarily depended on teachers. The Judaizers argued that Paul had received his commission and message from the other apostles, but then had unfaithfully changed the message.

• I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ: See 1:17 ^g; Acts 9:3-15 ^h; 26:12-18 ⁱ. Paul’s unique experience gave him distinctive authority and insight. But he learned other matters, such as the life of Christ, from others (e.g., Gal 1:18 ^j; 1 Cor 11:23-26 ^k; 15:3-11 ^l).
Summary for Gal 1:13-14: 1:13-14 ^m To prove that his message did not come from human reason (1:11 ⁿ), Paul describes what he was like before he encountered Christ: He was a highly successful Jew (see Acts 8:1-3 ^o; 22:1-5 ^p; 26:4-5 ^q; Phil 3:4-7 ^r). His antagonism to God’s church and strict adherence to Judaism demonstrated his faith in the law before Christ confronted him (Gal 1:15-16 ^s).
1:14 ^t zeal for the traditions of my ancestors: Cp. Mark 7:6-13 ^u.
Summary for Gal 1:15-16: 1:15-16 ^v even before I was born: Cp. Jer 1:5 ^w; see also Ps 139:13-16 ^x; Isa 49:1-6 ^y; Rom 9:10-13 ^z.

• God chose me and called me: For the account of Paul’s conversion, see Acts 9:1-19 ^aa; 22:1-21 ^ab; 26:9-23 ^ac.

• Paul’s calling was specifically to proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles (Gal 2:7 ^ad), and he even educated other apostles in what that means (e.g., 2:11-21 ^ae).

• to reveal his Son to me (or in me): This might refer to Paul’s encounter with Christ (Acts 9:1-19 ^af; cp. 1 Cor 9:1 ^ag; 15:8 ^ah); in me might also suggest an internal revelation (cp. Gal 2:20 ^ai; 4:6-7 ^aj) and implies that Paul’s changed heart revealed Christ to others.
Summary for Gal 1:16-20: 1:16b-20 ^ak Paul was taught by the Lord directly and did not ... consult with any human being, even the other apostles. Paul was independent from the other apostles yet in harmony with them (2:1-10 ^al).