Superabundant proof
What Paul is doing in these verses is similar to what I used to do when I was in sales. If someone brought up an objection to what I was selling, I would say, “Other than this, is there any reason you would not want to go ahead today?” If they said, “No.” Then I would “camp” on their objection and show why it was invalid from as many different perspectives as I could think of and then seek to close the sale.
The false teachers had accused Paul of receiving his gospel second hand from the leaders in Jerusalem. Then they claimed he distorted the gospel by taking out the requirement to obey the Mosaic Law. In answer to their claims, Paul gives six facts that should more than answer their objections. First, we have his statement that he did not receive his gospel from man. Second, he was not taught it. Third, he received it as a direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:12).
Fourth, Paul shows how his gospel is so different from his former life in legalistic Judaism that his previous life-experience could not have influenced the gospel he is now proclaiming.
For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it (Gal. 1:13).
Fifth, he shows that after the revelation on the Damascus road, he did not go to Jerusalem to see the Apostles in order to learn their gospel; rather, he went to Arabia.
Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus (Gal 1:17).
It is not clear just why Paul went to Arabia. Some have thought this is where Mt. Sinai is, and he went there to pray and meditate on the gospel Jesus had given him. However, “Arabia” in the days of Paul was the Nabatean Kingdom stretching southward from Damascus toward the Arabian Peninsula. If Paul was so thoroughly equipped by the revelation of Christ that he could immediately start proclaiming Christ as the Son of God in the synagogues at Damascus, there is no reason to think that Paul needed time to meditate on that revelation, but set out at once to do what Christ had commissioned him to do: preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
And He said to me, “Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21).
Sixth, Paul revealed to the Galatian churches that he did go up to Jerusalem three years after his Damascus experience, but not to learn the gospel.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother (Gal. 1:18, 19).
For about 15 days, Paul was the house guest of Peter. He did not need to be taught the gospel from Peter. I am sure Paul would have been very interested to hear Peter tell of his experience walking with Christ for about three years. We don’t have any record of the conversation, but I would venture it included Jesus’ miracles and teachings. Peter probably shared with Paul his experience of cutting off Malchus’ ear in the garden, his denial of Christ, and reinstatement. Most importantly, Peter must have given evidence of the resurrection.
Seventh, as if what Paul had said thus far was not enough, he put himself under oath with God as his witness.
Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying (Gal. 1:20).
Martin Luther comments on this verse.
Was it necessary for Paul to go under oath? Yes. Paul is reporting personal history. How else would the churches believe him? The false apostles might say, “Who knows whether Paul is telling the truth? Paul, the elect vessel of God, was held in so little esteem by his own Galatians to whom he had preached Christ that it was necessary for him to swear an oath that he spoke the truth. If this happened to Paul, what business have we to complain when people doubt our words, or hold us in little regard, we who cannot begin to compare ourselves with the Apostle?
In Bible times, making an oath was often used whenever a matter was extremely important. There are over 60 examples of oath-taking in Scripture. Perhaps one of the most significant examples is the oath God gave to Abraham and later repeated it regarding Christ.
For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.” And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us (Heb. 6:13-18).
Paul continues the rehearsal of his journeyings, not leaving anything out. He even includes hearsay evidence.
Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they were glorifying God because of me (Gal. 1:212–24).
Paul has now given them at least seven good reasons to believe in his claims.
For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. 1:11-12).
Assignment
- Read Genesis 21:22-33.
- Read 1 Samuel 14:24-45.
- Read Matthew 33-37.
Questions for Discussion
- After reading the three illustrations of oath-taking in the assignment, explain what you believe about taking oaths today.
- Have you ever recounted something in your life to someone who did not believe you? How did you respond? Were you able to convince that person of your truthfulness?
- In discussion with Mormon missionaries, after you have given them abundant evidence why Mormonism is unbiblical, they almost always revert to their “oath.” “I testify that Joseph Smith is a true prophet,” or something to the effect, “I Testify that Mormonism is true.”
- Do you think taking an oath to back up the truthfulness of what you say is effective today? Why, or why not?
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