Galatians 1:13-17 (WEL) For you have heard of my earlier way of life in Judaism, how violently I persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14 And outdistanced many of my peers in Judaism as I was much more zealous for the teachings of my ancestors. 15 But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, immediately, I did not ask advice of any human. 17 Neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me, but went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.
V13 For you have heard of my earlier way of life in Judaism, how violently I persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it.
Paul’s love for Judaism was greater than his love for God. It was an idol of religion. Compare Acts 26:4-5. Paul loved the commandments of men more than the commandments of God. Compare Matthew 15:9. Also see Colossians 2:20 and Titus 1:14.
Paul persecuted believers believing that problems are solved by murder and violence. See Acts 8:1-3.
Paul was not content with murder and violence against Christians but wanted to kill all of them thus destroying the church. Destroying the church is impossible. See Matthew 16:18.
How is a church destroyed?
- False teachers who are usually stealthy liars teaching lies (fulfilling Paul’s prophetic warning in Acts 20:30-31). This is common as pastoral candidates do not always tell the truth about what they believe only to introduce it later. If they are a liar, teaching something they denied believing earlier, he is a fake pastor and probably a false believer.
- Lack of church discipline. See 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, 1 Corinthians 15:33, and 2 Timothy 2:17.
- False gospels (the Gospel of Jesus Christ is faith alone in Jesus Christ alone; anything else added is false).
- False Bible interpretation by using allegory and/or symbolism where it is not in the text and using theological frameworks instead.
- False definitions of Bible words.
- Falsely interpreting texts out of context.
V14 And outdistanced many of my peers in Judaism as I was much more zealous for the teachings of my ancestors.
Paul’s zeal for Pharisaical Judaism was greater than most and proven by advocating violence and murder. This is a seriousness of Mosaic Law and the Prophets rather than a seriousness for Pharisaical Judaism. Compare Mark 7:3-5.
V15 But when it pleased God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me through his grace,
God has the actual ability of foresight as we understand it. It is not to be crammed into omniscience.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ can save the worst of sinners. See Luke 19:10, Luke 5:31-32.
Paul’s zeal, violence, and hate were done in ignorance. He was blind to the truth, thinking and believing that Pharisaical Judaism was the true way to receive salvation, favor with God, and an eternal home. See 1 Timothy 1:13 and 2 Corinthians 3:14-16.
God, knowing the future (not decreeing the future), knew Paul, initiated salvation (John 16:8), opened his mind and heart to the truth (Acts 16:14), and called him to place his faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone (Acts 22:10).
V16 To reveal his Son within me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, immediately, I did not ask advice of any human.
The idea of within means Paul’s soul, the inner person.
Paul did not know the Gospel until hearing it from Stephen’s testimony in Acts 7.
Paul was healed and commissioned shortly after his conversion.
After conversion, he wasted no time and began preaching immediately (Acts 9:20-29).
V17 Neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me, but went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus.
If he had returned to Jerusalem, he probably would have been killed by the Pharisees and rejected by the Apostles.
In Arabia and Damascus, God was teaching him.
Moses needed 40 years shepherding in the wilderness (Exodus 3:1) for teaching Moses.
We learn:
- Paul’s testimony of coming to faith.
- Paul’s time with God for preparation to minister.
Questions:
- What is your testimony?
- How is God preparing you?
- Do you read and study the Bible to learn God’s ways?