Galatians 1:12

1:12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; ¹  instead I received it ²  by a revelation of Jesus Christ. ³ 

Galatians 1:16-18

1:16 to reveal his Son in ⁴  me so that I could preach him ⁵  among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from ⁶  any human being, ⁷  1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem ⁸  to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, ⁹  and then returned to Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem ¹⁰  to visit Cephas ¹¹  and get information from him, ¹²  and I stayed with him fifteen days.

Galatians 4:12

4:12 I beg you, brothers and sisters, ¹³  become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

Galatians 5:11

5:11 Now, brothers and sisters, ¹⁴  if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? ¹⁵  In that case the offense of the cross ¹⁶  has been removed. ¹⁷ 

Galatians 6:14

6:14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which ¹⁸  the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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¹ tn Or “I did not receive it from a human source, nor was I taught it.”

² tn The words “I received it” are not in the Greek text but are implied.

³ tn It is difficult to determine what kind of genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ Χριστοῦ (Ihsou Cristou) is. If it is a subjective genitive, the meaning is “a revelation from Jesus Christ” but if objective genitive, it is “a revelation about Jesus Christ.” Most likely this is objective since the explanation in vv. 15-16 mentions God revealing the Son to Paul so that he might preach, although the idea of a direct revelation to Paul at some point cannot be ruled out.

⁴ tn Or “to me”; the Greek preposition ἐν (en) can mean either, depending on the context.

⁵ tn This pronoun refers to “his Son,” mentioned earlier in the verse.

⁶ tn Or “I did not consult with.” For the translation “I did not go to ask advice from” see L&N 33.175.

⁷ tn Grk “from flesh and blood.”

⁸ map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

⁹ sn As a geographical region Arabia included the territory west of Mesopotamia, east and south of Syria and Palestine, extending to the isthmus of Suez. During the Roman occupation, some independent kingdoms arose like that of the Nabateans south of Damascus, and these could be called simply Arabia. In light of the proximity to Damascus, this may well be the territory Paul says he visited here. See also C. W. Briggs, “The Apostle Paul in Arabia,” Biblical World 41 (1913): 255-59.

¹⁰ map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

¹¹ sn Cephas. This individual is generally identified with the Apostle Peter (L&N 93.211).

¹² tn Although often translated “to get acquainted with Cephas,” this could give the impression of merely a social call. L&N 34.52 has “to visit, with the purpose of obtaining information” for the meaning of ἱστορέω (Jistorew), particularly in this verse.

¹³ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.

¹⁴ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:11.

¹⁵ sn That is, if Paul still teaches observance of the Mosaic law (preaches circumcision), why is he still being persecuted by his opponents, who insist that Gentile converts to Christianity must observe the Mosaic law?

¹⁶ sn The offense of the cross refers to the offense to Jews caused by preaching Christ crucified.

¹⁷ tn Or “nullified.”

¹⁸ tn Or perhaps, “through whom,” referring to the Lord Jesus Christ rather than the cross.