College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Galatians 1:15-17
TEXT 1:15-17
(15) But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through his grace, (16) to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: (17) neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.
PARAPHRASE 1:15-17
15 But when God, who destined me from my birth to be an apostle, and ordered my education with a view to that office, and who called me to it by his unmerited goodness, was pleased
16 To shew his Son to me, that I might preach Him to the heathen as risen from the dead, immediately after that I did not consult any man in Damascus, as having doubts concerning what I had seen, or as needing information concerning the gospel which I was called to preach.
17 Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to be instructed by they who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, where there was no apostle; and having there received further revelations from Christ, and studied the scriptures by the light of these revelations, I again returned to Damascus, without having seen any of the apostles.
COMMENT Galatians 1:15
when it was the good pleasure of God
1.
God works on time. Cf. Galatians 4:4
2.
He finds pleasure in His work and will.
a.
It was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21
b.
It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
who separated me
1.
Separate is a Hebrew expression meaning to sanctify, ordain, or prepare.
2.
Nothing Paul had done merited this call.
a.
He was called from birth before he could do good.
b.
He was called in sin while persecuting the church.
3.
God had separated Paulhis call was not of man.
a.
Separated unto the gospel, Romans 1:1
b.
Separated me Barnabas and Saul. Acts 13:2
c.
Called to be an apostle. 1 Corinthians 1:1
even from my mother's womb
1.
Paul could not know this except by inspiration.
2.
Such separation was not unknown.
a.
Mosesdivine providence seen.
b.
SamuelGod answered Hannah's request. 1 Samuel 1:1-20
c.
John the Baptistprophecy spoke of his coming.
d.
IsaiahListen O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far: Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. Isaiah 49:1
e.
JeremiahBefore I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee; I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5
and called me
1.
How many times was he called before he answered?
a.
Many people waste many years rejecting the call.
b.
Paul acted as though he were trying to make up for lost time.
2.
Paul says, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision. Acts 26:19
through his grace
1.
Paul's wickedness was enough to bring wrath, but God's grace prevailed.
2.
Grace called Paul to be an apostle, and grace gives us all an opportunity for salvation.
COMMENT 1:16
to reveal his Son in me
1.
The law pointed out sinthe gospel announces Christ is come.
2.
Christ was revealed in Paul.
a.
Paul was a good revelation of Jesus, for he was so consecrated.
b.
Paul revealed Christ in a wide area, from Antioch to Rome, and (one theory says) even to Spain and Britain.
that I might preach him among the Gentiles
1.
Paul states that his mission was to the Gentiles.
2.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel. Acts 9:15
3.
Paul announced to them a Savior, not a lawgiver.
a.
Paul is saying, Do not listen to teachers of the law.
b.
Listen not to the law, but to the gospel.
c.
Listen not to Moses, but to the Son of God.
straightway I conferred not with the flesh and blood
1.
If God called and God revealed, then Paul didn-'t need any conference with men.
2.
The disciples received their gospel from Christ, and so did Paul.
COMMENT 1:17
neither went I up to them that were apostles
1.
Evidently the apostles were staying close to Jerusalem.
2.
Paul did not go up there to receive a message.
I went away into Arabia
1.
The account in Acts 9:1-43 does not give any, hint of Arabia.
2.
He probably did not go to preach there.
a.
I. declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea. Acts 26:19-20
3.
He does not say that he went there to receive a gospel, but he does say that he did not get it at Jerusalem.
again I returned unto Damascus
1.
Here his first recorded ministry took place.
a.
And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus. Acts 9:19
b.
And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. Acts 9:20
c.
And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:. but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. Acts 9:23
d. Perhaps after this he went to Arabia and then returned to Damascus (which is not mentioned in Acts 9:1-43), then he proceeded to Jerusalem. And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid. Acts 9:26
STUDY QUESTIONS 1:15-17
93.
How did God's good pleasure act in Paul?
94.
When was God at work?
95.
Why did Paul not heed the call?
96.
When is the word separation used in Acts in relationship to Paul?
97.
How did Paul know that God called him at birth?
98.
Is this the first time God did this to men?
99.
What was at work to give Paul a chance to answer the call?
100.
How did Paul reveal Christ?
101.
Name the places where Paul revealed the Lord.
102.
Name the Gentiles who received Paul's revelation.
103.
Did Paul preach a lawgiver or a Saviour?
104.
What did Paul say about conferring?
105.
Where did Paul go instead of to Jerusalem?
106.
Does this verse indicate where the apostles were?
107.
Do we have a record of Paul preaching in Arabia?
108.
Where did he go after the trip to Arabia?
109.
Did he preach in Damascus?
110.
How was it received?