Galatians 1:16 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Reveal his Son in me - in my inmost soul, by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20: cf. 2 Corinthians 4:6). The revealing of His Son by me to 'the Gentiles' (so translate) was impossible, unless He had first revealed His Son in me: this He did at my conversion, but especially at the subsequent revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12), whereby I learnt the Gospel's independence of Mosaic ceremonialism.

That I might preach - the present х euangelizoomai (G2097)], which includes 'that I may preach Him,' implying an office still continuing: the main commission intrusted to him (Galatians 2:7; Galatians 2:9).

Immediately. From the first I had no recourse to men. It denotes the sudden fitness of the apostle. So Acts 9:20, "straightway [the same Greek, eutheoos (G2112)] he preached Christ in the synagogues."

I conferred not, х prosanethemeen (G4323)] - 'I had not further (namely, in addition to revelation) recourse to ... for consultation.' The divine revelation was sufficient for me.

Flesh and blood (Matthew 16:17) - weak man.

Galatians 1:16

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: