Translation
For I to make it known to you, brothers, that the gospel proclaimed by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man nor was I taught, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my lifestyle when in Judaism, that according to excess I pursued the church, and destroyed it, and grew in Judaism beyond many of my peers among my people, being even more of a zealot for the traditions of my forefathers. But when God, (the one who separated me from my mothers womb and called me through his grace), was pleased to reveal his son to me, in order that I might proclaim him to the gentiles, immediately I did not seek advice from flesh and blood. Nor did I go to Jerusalem to the ones who were apostles before me, but I went into Arabia and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I saw no other apostle except James the apostle of the Lord. What I write to you, behold, before God I do not lie! Then, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was unknown by face to the churches in Christ of Judea. They only heard that I, the one pursuing them at one time, was now proclaiming the faith which I once tried to destroy. And because of me, they glorified God.
Reflections
This passage reads oddly, boastfully at first glance. Paul sounds like he’s painting himself as an independent maverick apostle. In reality though, this passage isn’t about his independence, but about his total dependence! The question is not whether or not he is going to be dependent, but who he is dependent upon. Paul’s perspective, his understanding of reality is absolutely not dependent on flesh and blood, but on the revelation of Jesus Christ. The most radical thing Paul ever claims begins here: his gospel comes straight from God’s revelation to him of Jesus Christ.
