THE GOSPEL’S ORIGIN AND POWER

Passage: Galatians 1:11-24

Key verse: 12

NIV

Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,(A) that the gospel I preached(B) is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,(C) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation(D) from Jesus Christ.(E)

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,(F) how intensely I persecuted the church of God(G) and tried to destroy it.(H) 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous(I) for the traditions of my fathers.(J) 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb(K) and called me(L) by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,(M) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.(N) 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.(O)

18 Then after three years,(P) I went up to Jerusalem(Q) to get acquainted with Cephas[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(R) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(S) that what I am writing you is no lie.(T)

21 Then I went to Syria(U) and Cilicia.(V) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(W) that are in Christ.(X) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(Y) he once tried to destroy.”(Z) 24 And they praised God(AA) because of me.

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Footnotes
  1. Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul Called by God

11 For (A)I would have you know, brothers, that (B)the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[a] 12 (C)For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it (D)through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of (E)my former life in Judaism, how (F)I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely (G)zealous was I for (H)the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he (I)who had set me apart (J)before I was born,[b] and who (K)called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[c] me, in order (L)that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[d] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then (M)after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James (N)the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, (O)before God, I do not lie!) 21 (P)Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to (Q)the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

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Footnotes
  1. Galatians 1:11 Greek not according to man
  2. Galatians 1:15 Greek set me apart from my mother's womb
  3. Galatians 1:16 Greek in
  4. Galatians 1:16 Greek with flesh and blood
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Some people in Galatia cast doubt on Paul and, therefore, the gospel he preached. By discrediting Paul, these enemies of the gospel hoped to discredit the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then these people could win followers to their false gospel and to themselves.

Paul emphasizes that the gospel did not originate in him or any other human being. The gospel is from Jesus, and Paul received it directly from Jesus. Verses 1:13-2:10 are Paul’s testimony. Though Paul had been zealous for Judaism, he did not find the gospel in Jewish religion through his efforts. In fact, his previous efforts led him to persecute the church of God. He was the last person anyone expected to become a Christian. But God, in his sovereign foresight, mercy, and plan, at just the right time, revealed his Son Jesus Christ to Paul (15-16; Ac 9:1-19). Paul was completely changed. He spent time in Arabia, Damascus, and then met the apostles. The churches knew little about Paul, but they praised God because of his work in Paul (23-24). Paul’s transformed life, from persecutor to apostle, testifies that the gospel is not earthly philosophy or influential, human persuasion but the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Ro 1:16).

Prayer: Father, thank you for revealing the gospel to me. Make my life a testimony to your love, mercy, and life-giving power.

One Word: Receive the life-giving gospel