Galatians 1:17 – Did not submit it to flesh and blood.

…I did not immediately submit it to flesh and blood, neither cam I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I came away into Arabia, and I returned again to Damascus.

We must remember that Paul is still in the process of explaining that he did not receive or learn his Gospel from a man, but through the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:12). The entire setting of the place and time of this revelation is typical of the Gospel entrusted to him. Check it out.

In the first place, he was called outside the Jewish land. It is a model for the terrain where he would fulfill his calling: among the nations (1:16). Second, Paul was called (not as a disciple, but on the contrary) as a persecutor of the name of Jesus. This explains why “abounding grace” is the thread running through his message. Third, Paul was called by Christ from heaven. That, too, is typical of the focus of his ministry.

It was no stubbornness on the part of Paul that he did not first submit his calling to “flesh and blood”. Why would he? He didn’t have to consult anyone: the revelation of Jesus Christ from heavenly light was absolutely clear and bright!

Delen: