Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Galatians 1:16

ἀποκαλύψαι … ἐν ἐμοὶ. Dependent on εὐδόκησεν. More than external manifestation was necessary. For that alone could not bring truth home to St Paul. He says therefore that the revelation came into his heart and remained there. τῆς�, καὶ τὸν Χριστὸν εἶχεν ἐν ἑαυτῷ λαλοῦντα (Chrys.). This does not of course exclude an external manifestation. Other explanations of ἐν ἐμοί are (a) “in my case,” cf. Galatians 1:24, and (b) “in and through me to others.” So perhaps 1 Timothy 1:16. This last explanation (Lightfoot’s) is attractive, because we thus obtain a clear distinction of three stages expressed in Galatians 1:15-16, viz.: separation from before birth, call at his conversion, and entering on his ministry to others (Acts 9:20 sqq., Acts 13:2-3). But there does not appear to be sufficient reason for distinguishing the ἀποκάλυψις of this verse from that of Galatians 1:12.

ἵνα εὐαγγελίζωμαι αὐτὸν ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν. The final object of God’s revelation to him was not his own salvation, but that he should preach to others (Acts 9:15). Observe the present, of continued effort, and the accusative of the Person preached (Acts 5:42; Acts 8:35; Acts 11:20; Acts 17:18[54]). Contrast Galatians 1:9.

[54] Is affixed to a word it means that all the passages are mentioned where that word occurs in the New Testament.

εὐθέως. This is the only place where the root of this word occurs in St Paul’s writings. “εὐθέως is really connected with ἀπῆλθον; but the Apostle, whose thoughts outrun his words, has interposed the negative clause, to anticipate his purpose in going away” (Jowett). The word does not exclude his first brief ministry in Damascus (Acts 9:20), a matter with which he is not concerned. He is showing that he went, not to Jerusalem, but to Arabia.

οὐ προσανεθέμην, Galatians 2:6[55], “I did not lay (the matter) before.” Cf. Galatians 2:2. The πρός intensifies the thought of the direction already implied in ἀνεθέμην. The compound is sometimes used (as here) of laying a matter before another for his judgment and advice. Zahn quotes Chrysippus ὄναρ γάρ τινά φησι θεασάμενον … προσαναθέσθαι ὀνειροκρίτῃ.

[55] Is affixed it means that all the passages are mentioned where the word occurs in the Greek Bible.

σαρκὶ καὶ αἵματι. A very common phrase in Rabbinic writings, but always with a slight notion of contemptuous comparison with God. “Men; whose intelligence is limited and their counsel moulded by the constitution of their material clothing” (Beet). St Paul speaks quite generally, but he would have in his mind any Christians in some position of authority, especially if this was based on past personal intercourse with the incarnate Christ (before or after the Crucifixion, cf. 1 Corinthians 9:1), and, above all, those whom he proceeds to mention in the next clause.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Galatians 1:16

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New Testament