A Dramatic Transformation. Galatians 1:18-25.
Dear Citizens of the Kingdom of God,
Familiarisation (vv. 18-19). Paul spent three years in the deserts of Arabia and in Damascus. After that time he showed up in Jerusalem, where he met Peter and stayed with him fifteen days, obviously for purposes of both getting to know each other. None of the other apostles were there, save for James, the Lord’s brother. That James is identified here by Paul as an apostle is instructive because James was not one of the Twelve. He and the other brothers had been skeptical about Jesus (John 7:5) and most probably did not come to the faith until after the resurrection. Later James became the leader of the church in Jerusalem and was influential in the first Church Council held in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21).
That God made it possible for Paul to see the two men who were recognized as key pillars of the church is not a coincidence. It was important that Paul be seen as one of them, sent on a unique mission.
Confirmation (v. 20).That Paul finds it necessary to invoke God in order for his readers to believe him shows how damaging the lies of his detractors had been. It is important here to acknowledge the ability of Satan to mislead, and the need for the careful teaching of new believers.
Exploration (v. 21). We do not know what Paul went to do in Syria and Cilicia. He may have had matters to settle in both places, maybe even victims of his persecution to ask forgiveness from. Cilicia was Paul’s native province. His hometown of Tarsus was in the province of Cilicia. From Acts 9:30 we learn that he was sent by “the brethren” to Tarsus so that he would be out of the way of the Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) who wanted to kill him. The man who hunted others was himself now hunted. This again should convince his detractors that it was not for personal gain that he preached the gospel. It was much safer to work with leather.
Affirmation (vv. 22-24). Even though he had spent fifteen days in Jerusalem, that was too short a time to get to know and be known to the churches of that region. He was a stranger to them but the news they received about him was exciting, that the persecutor of the church had become a propagator of the gospel.
Paul wants his readers to see that the incredulity of his life had been declared by others. But unlike his detractors in Southern Galatia, the Christians of Judea had glorified God on account of Paul’s conversion and transformation.
The work of God in Paul’s life attracted to opposite responses, as the gospel always does. What, if I may ask, is your response?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.