Evidence Of God’S Grace
EVIDENCE OF GOD’S GRACE
GALATIANS 1:18-24
Do your life and reputation cause other people to praise God because of you?
You will find it helpful to begin this study at 1:17. The entire paragraph has one purpose: to show that Paul’s ministry did not derive from any human authority, and (as an equally important consideration) that Paul did not act in opposition to the leaders of the Jerusalem churches. His conversion and his mission were, in fact, special cases and supreme instances of God’s sovereignty in choosing those whom he wills, and appointing people to his service as he pleases.
So the recently converted Paul didn’t ask permission to preach by going to Jerusalem (1:17) nor, at a later time, did he seek authorization for his ministry from the original apostles (1:19). Yet his early ministry was becoming widely known and appreciated, gladdening the hearts of Christians who saw in him a magnificent trophy of divine grace (1:23-24).
There were two exceptions, however. Following on his trip to “Arabia,” a region inhabited by Nabatean Arabs, he came to Jerusalem via Damascus. At the capital he met Peter, from whom he gained certain information, and during these two weeks he doubtless learned much of Jesus’ ministry which is reflected in his letters to the churches.
There is no conflict with what he had just written. Paul maintains his independence as to Christ’s personal call and authorization as an apostle, but he was ready to receive further enlightenment from those who had known the Lord “in the days of his flesh” (Hebrews 5:7; Acts 1:21). And who was better qualified to help him than Peter?
James (Jesus’ brother) was his second contact. Formerly an unbeliever (Mark 3:21; John 7:5), James had been convinced by Jesus’ risen authority (1 Corinthians 15:7) and, during Peter’s imprisonment, had assumed leadership in the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17).
This record of the apostle’s movements is compressed and needs to be filled out from Acts, especially 9:19-25 and 2 Corinthians 11:32-33. In particular, note the part played by Barnabas (Acts 9:26-30) in vouching for Paul as a genuine believer and gaining for him an introduction to the church leaders.
The believers were thrilled at the news of Saul’s new-found salvation (1:24).