The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 91

supposecl that he took up this intolerant position rashly, he now proccccls to give us a short autobiography, in which he shows how he had receiverl the gospel, and what a hold it had upon him. Let us notice the salfont points in this narrative. I. Hrn LIFE AB A JEW. (Vers. 13, 14.) Paul, before his conversion, was the most zealous persecutor of Christianity. A strict Pharisee, he added to his self-righteousne~,, nn uncommon zeal for the old religion, and hesitated not to persecute to the neath those who had embraced the new, He was zealous, but not according to knowledo-e. II. TnE REVELA'fION OF JESUS TO HIM AND IN HIM. (Vers. 11, 12, 15, 16.) It was Jesus himself who undertook Saul's conversion. There was no intermediate instrument. On the way to Damascus Jesus appeared to him in dazzling, overwhelming radiance, and compelled the persecutor to recognize, not only his existence, but bis sovereign authority. That manifestation of Jesus to him revolutionized his life. Henceforth he could have no doubt regarding the reign of Jerns Christ. This was the revelation of Jesus to him-the historic interview which made Paul's career so different and so glorious. But next there was the revelation of Jesus in Paul. This was by the Holy Spirit entering into him and giving him Christ's mind, Christ's heart, Christ's com- passions, so that Paul became a revelation of Christ to other men. Henceforward he was a "Christophor," carrying Christ in him, not only as his Hope of glory, but as his animating, regulating, ruling po,ver. Paul was from that hour" possessed," but it was by the Spirit of Christ. His personality became a new centre of spiritual force and power. III. THUS POSSESSED BY JESUS, HE· BECAME l1''DEPENDENT OF MEN, (Vers. 16, 17.) Now, this independence of Paul had two sides. 1. He became independent of popular opinion. "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." Now, it must have been very trying to surrender all his hopes as a Jew, Tho fact is, he was the foremost man of his nation just when Jesus converted him. 'l'he nation would gladly have followed his leadership. There was no man who had so much weight and force of character as Saul. To renounce all these hopes, and the friendships of his early years, and to face the world a. lonely man was trying. Yet he was enabled by God's grace to do so. He made no truce with flesh and blood, but renounced all for Christ. 2. He felt independent of apostolic recognition. He never thought of hurrying off to Jerusalem to stand an examination at the hands of the apostles, and receive their imprimatur. He dealt at first hand with the Fountain of authority. Hence he passed to Arabia. soon_ after his conversion, and in the solitudes of the desert, in the places associated with such master spirits as Moses, Elijah, and Christ, he communed with Christ, and pondered and laid the foundations of his theology. He called no man master; he felt that he had but one Master, and he was Christ. Now, this independence of character is what we should all seek. It can only be secured when we have renounced self-confidence and betaken ourselves to the feet of our Lord. '!'here a.t the fountain of life anJ power we can rise np our own masters and his faithful servants, prepared to do bnttlc, if need be, against the world. IV. PAUL'S INTERVIEW AT JERUSALEM WITH CEPHAS AND JAims. (Vers. 18, 19.) While Paul was properly independent in spirit, this does not imply that he was in any way morose or unsocial. His internment in Arabia, his earnest study of the wholo plan of the gospel, only made him long for an interview with Cephas, the recognized leader at Jerusalem, Hence he passed from solitnde to society, and had an interview of fifteen days with the apostle of the circumcision. Ja.mes, who had ministerial over- sight of the Jerusalem Church, shared his society too. It must have been a blessed meeting between the two mighty apostles. The meeting of two generals before some import.ant campaign was never so momentous in its consequences as the meeting of these two humble men, Saul and Cephas. 'l'hey were set upon tho conquest for Christ of the world. Now, we havo every reason to believe that the interview was simply one for conference. It was not that Saul might receive any authority from tho hands either of Cephas or of James. He had his authority directly from Christ. V. II1s EVANGELISTIC WORK. (Vers. 20-24.) Perhaps through mutual agreement with l'eter Paul leaves Jerusalem and J udrua and confines himself to the districts beyond. Syria and Cilicia, territories beyond the bounds of Palestine i;iroper, wh?re the apostles were operating, wero selected by the apostle to the Geutil~s for his first evangelistic efforts. He diq oot seek the acquaintance of the Chu.,·ches m J udrea. He  56 THE EPI'sTLE TO THE GALA'l'IANS. [on. 1. 1-24.