Galatians 1:16
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's retrospective account that God 'revealed his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood' grounds his apostolic authority in direct divine revelation rather than transmission through human intermediaries. The preposition 'in me' (en emoi) rather than 'to me' (moi) may indicate that the revelation was not merely objective information but a transformative indwelling that configured Paul's entire person around the crucified and risen Son. The insistence that he did not 'confer with flesh and blood' — going to Arabia rather than to Jerusalem (1:17) — is Paul's key argument that his gospel was not derivative of the Jerusalem apostles but of equivalent divine origin. This autobiographical passage is a primary text for understanding early Christian apostolic authority and the development of the gospel tradition.
Other Translations
to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:
to reveal His Son in me, that I might proclaim him good news among the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,
To give the revelation of his Son in me, so that I might give the news of him to the Gentiles; then I did not take the opinion of flesh and blood,
Cross References
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, …
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it …
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up …
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for …
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my …
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,