Who were the epitome of the legalism of Judaism?
Peter, James, and John were the epitome of the legalism of Judaism. Paul, by Holy Spirit inspiration, distanced himself from these twelve apostles of Israel to keep his apostleship pure from any of the legalism of Judaism, as recorded in Galatians 1:12.
Les explains that Paul is by Holy Spirit inspiration distancing himself from the twelve apostles of Israel, Peter, James, and John. This was to keep his apostleship pure from any of the legalism of Judaism, because Peter, James, and John were the epitome of that legalism. In Galatians 1:12, Paul says he neither received it of man nor was taught it, but by the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who now is in glory. This required some kind of communication process between the Lord and this apostle.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.