A Gospel Not Learned from People (Galatians 1:11-17)

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-17

Today’s Word

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 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. (Galatians 1:11-17, NIV)

Background

Key Terms Made Simple

• Revelation: When God directly shows or tells humans truth that they cannot know on their own. Paul directly encountered the risen Jesus on the Damascus road and understood the truth of the gospel through that experience.
• Persecution: Harassing and harming others because of their religion or beliefs. In his past, Paul led efforts to imprison and even kill those who believed in Jesus (Acts 8:1-3).
• Judaism: The religion of the Jewish people that existed before Jesus came. It emphasized belief in the Old Testament scriptures, circumcision, and the law. Paul was one of the elite who received the highest education in this religion.
• Arabia: The region of modern-day Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Paul spent time here after meeting Jesus, which can be seen as similar to Moses meeting God at Mount Sinai and Elijah at Mount Horeb.
• Human being (literally “flesh and blood”): An expression meaning people made of blood and flesh, i.e., humans. Paul uses this expression to emphasize that he received no teaching or help from any person when he received the gospel.

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin” (v.11)
2. “I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ” (v.12)
3. “I intensely persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it” (v.13)
4. “God… set me apart from my mother’s womb” (v.15)
5. “My immediate response was not to consult any human being” (v.16)

Main Points of the Text

1. The Divine Origin of the Gospel: The gospel Paul preached is not secondary material learned from people, but primary revelation received directly from Jesus Christ. This guarantees the gospel’s authority and reliability. While human thoughts and philosophies can change with times and contain errors, the gospel from God is unchanging truth.
2. Paul’s Dramatic Transformation: Paul’s change from the church’s greatest enemy to the gospel’s greatest evangelist is humanly inexplicable. This transformation itself proves the power of the gospel. The power of the gospel can transform even the most stubborn opponent.
3. God’s Sovereign Choice: Paul confesses that God chose him before he was even born. This shows that our salvation and calling depend entirely on God’s grace, not our efforts or qualifications. God calls and uses us in ways we cannot imagine.
4. The Importance of Independent Revelation: It’s significant that Paul went to Arabia before meeting other apostles. He needed time alone with God to deeply meditate on and organize the revelation he received. True spiritual understanding comes from deep communion with God rather than discussions with people.

Applying to My Life

1. Guarding Gospel Purity: We must examine whether the gospel we believe is truly the pure gospel based on Scripture. Sometimes we can mix worldly values, cultural traditions, or personal preferences with the gospel. “Messages people like” and “the gospel God gave” can be different. The essence of the gospel is “salvation through Jesus Christ’s cross and resurrection.”
2. Honestly Acknowledging the Past: Like Paul, we too should be able to honestly acknowledge past mistakes without hiding them. Rather, a dark past becomes a backdrop that more clearly shows how amazing God’s grace is. A testimony saying “God rescued me when I was this broken” is more moving than “I was originally a good person.”
3. Having Alone Time with God: Like the time Paul spent in Arabia, we also need time for deep communion with God. Put down your smartphone, step away from social media, free yourself from people’s opinions, and have time focused only on God’s voice. True spiritual growth happens in such quiet times.

Think About It

1. Is the gospel I believe truly the pure gospel based on Scripture, or is it a “modified gospel” mixed with my culture or prejudices? If you had to explain the core message of the gospel in one sentence, what would you say?
2. Do I have an experience of clearly meeting God, like Paul’s Damascus experience? How did that experience transform my life? If I haven’t had such an experience yet, what should I do to meet God more deeply?
3. Do I regularly have time for communion alone with God? In my busy daily life, can I set aside a specific time and place to deeply commune with God daily or weekly?