The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 84

Vers. 11, 12.-The trite origin of the apostle's gospel,. Here he begins the apoloe1etic por_tion of bis Epistle, vindicating his independent apostolic authority. 'l'he phrase ~ith which he prefaces his statement, "I declare unto you, brethren," is at once solemn and emphatic, as if he could allow of no misunderstanding affecting "the truth of the g,,spel," and is a sign that, in spite of their aberrations, the Galatians are still dear to hi:11. He calls them "brethren" after his first grave censure, as if he indulged the hope of winning them back to the truth. I. HIS GOSPEL WAS NOT HUMAN IN ITS CHARACTER. "The gospel which was. preached of me is not after man." He refers here, not to its origin, but to its character. 1. It is not discoverable by man. Human reasoning or human intuition could not have dis- covered its facts, its truths, its blessings. 2. It is not constructed on the principles or ideas of human wisdom,, which is carnal in its instincts, and therefore it is a "foolishness to the Greeks" of speculative thought. 3. It is unchangeable in its great principles; unlike the systems of men, which are constantly varying with the spirit of each age. II. HIS GOSPEL WAS NOT HUMAN IN ITS ORIGIN. "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it." 1. He did not receive it from man, any more than the twelve. Men receive most of their knowledge from one another, yet be was no more man-taught than Peter, or James, or John .• He rllceived exactly what they received-he by apoca- lyptic co=nnica.tions, they by personal communications in the days of Christ's life. ~- He was not taught the gospel by man, much less by any apostle. In that case the fact of his agreement with the other apostles proved that his knowledge of Divine truth was in no sense derivative. It might be urged that Ananias gave the apostle full instructions at his baptism. But there is no evidence that Ananias ga.ve him any instractions; his errand was that Saul should receive his sight and receive the Holy Ghost. Saul had. in far.t, before this time, received his instructions on the way to Damascus (Acts xxvi. 15-18). 3. In matters of religious moment especially affecting the foundation of a sinner's hopes, human teaching, human traditions, and human authority, are of slight importance. III. II.IS GOSPEL CAME TO HIM BY Drvn.'E REVELATION. His gospel was not human, but Divine, for be received it by revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. It had, therefore, a Cbristly origin. The revelation is not to be identified with the visions of 2 Cor. xii., nor with the appearance of the Lord to him in Acts xxii. 18, nor with the period of the sojourn in Arabia; but with the appearance of Christ, as the Son of God, on the way to Damascus, -as " the fundamental central illumination," which was followed by a progressive development. The apostle might, therefore, well describe his gospel as not of man. We know nothing of the mode of the Divine communic.:ations; the actual results are contained in the writings of the apostle. Thus it was that he spoke of" his gospel." which exhibited, a.s no other inspired writer did, "the mystery bid from l!:enerations," which forms the distinguishing glory of the Ephesian and Colossian Epistles. He sees in the gospel a Divine plan of salvation, whose centre is Christ, and whose end is the revelation of God's glorious perfection (Rom. xi. 36). The revelation from Christ was thus a revelation of Christ. He waY at once the Source and Subject of it. Vers. 13, 14.-.A retrospect of his career as a Jew. This would be the best proof that be had not received his gospel from man. I. II.IS ENMITY TO THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. "I was beyond measure persecuting the Church of God, and destroying it." His past career was notorious. "He p~rsecuted unto death" (Acts xxii. 4), "beyond measure "-by no feeble or _spasmodic effort, limited to one spot, but by a persistent scheme of violence wrought with e. fierce energy that knew no weariness. He could not then have been learning the gospel of the very 'saints he was hunting to death; there could be no possible association between the OH, I, 1-24.] THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. 49