Galatians 1:11-12 11 For I am making known to you, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not a human gospel. 12 For I did not receive it from any human, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul now declares the source of his message. The gospel is the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ offered to all by the grace of God. Paul wants the Galatians to know this. This is an important connection to make for the sake of orthodoxy. The opponents have no basis for their “gospel” because it is human based and not sourced from God. Any deviation from what Paul preached is false and not from God. God is the only and ultimate source of truth. A human gospel will be tainted by sin and selfishness.
Paul did not receive his message from any person. It was not mediated but direct. He did not need to go to theological seminary or sit under a guru. He did not even need to get it from the many early Christians with whom he associated. His gospel message came directly through revelation. The last phrase of v. 12 needs some interpretation. Literally, it is revelation of Jesus Christ. Of Jesus Christ is in the genitive case can can be subjective: the revelation is about Jesus, or objective: the revelation is from Jesus. In this case, either option is possible and fits Paul’s intent. Jesus is both the source and content of this revelation.
It is important for those responsible for the spiritual growth of others to consider carefully where they get their information for teaching. There is a sense that all valid truth of the gospel is mediated through through the Scriptures, church, and spiritual leaders. We trust in the authenticity and inspiration of the Bible. The Bible, however, is a complex document that takes careful interpretive methodology. We test interpretation by the orthodox church throughout the ages, although earlier generations did not always have accurate interpretation.
We also have trust in our teachers, but we need to discern the truth of their teaching. The truth of the gospel is mediated to us in one way or the other. That is why we need to develop discernment through knowledge and study. This takes humility and must be done in prayer and worship because God still gives truth through revelation. This revelation will always agree with what has already been revealed. Paul explains how his revelation was confirmed by others in his visits to Jerusalem. He was a team player but not beholden to anyone. The unity of the early church only confirmed the authenticity of his revelation.
For I did not receive it from any human, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
For older posts, click here.