👉 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important passage from Galatians 1:16. It's a really significant moment in Paul’s life and reveals a lot about his priorities and approach to sharing his faith.
Here’s what it means in simpler terms:
Basically, Paul was saying:
“I’m willing to share my beliefs with the world, but I’m not ready to do it through a regular, human-made group or system.”
Let's unpack that a little further:
"To reveal his Son in me..."
: This is a really poetic way of saying Paul was wanting to introduce Jesus Christ – his son – into his life and ministry. He wasn’t just talking about
himself
being converted; he was inviting Jesus to become part of
his
message and purpose.
"...that I might preach him among the heathen..."
: “Heathen” means people who are unfamiliar with the ways of Judaism, and the ‘heathen’ at the time were the Gentiles – the non-Jewish populations – that Paul was trying to reach. So, he wanted to share his message with
everyone
- all people, not just Jewish people.
"...immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:"
: This is the crucial part. “Flesh and blood” refers to human relationships, traditions, and institutions. Paul wasn’t ready to be involved in a formal group or organization to spread his message. He was saying he wasn’t going to be bound by:
Tradition:
He didn't want to follow established religious practices or customs.
Authority Figures:
He wanted to avoid being influenced by people who were more powerful or influential than him in the process of sharing his message.
Why was this important?
This is a foundational moment because it shows Paul’s commitment to:
Authenticity:
He wasn't trying to force his beliefs on others.
Personal Revelation:
He wanted to share his faith directly, through personal experience and the power of his own conviction.
In short, this verse highlights a key aspect of Paul’s early ministry – his desire for a genuine, individual connection with Jesus Christ, rather than relying on established systems or traditions.
---
Do you want me to:
Explain
why
this passage is significant in the context of the book of Galatians?
Give you some examples of how Paul’s approach might have looked at the time?
