Why couldn't the Jerusalem apostles understand Paul's revelations from the ascended Jesus?
The Jerusalem apostles could not understand Paul’s revelations because they had no comprehension of what the ascended Lord was revealing to him. They knew Jesus in the flesh and during the forty days after His resurrection, but they knew nothing of the Ascended Lord in glory, the source of Paul’s revelations.
Les explains that those who seemed to be somewhat no longer had the preeminence in God’s dealing with the human race that they had enjoyed during the earthly ministry and the early days of Acts; it was slipping away. When they met in conference, they added nothing to Paul. The reason was that they had no comprehension of the revelations Paul had been receiving from the Ascended Lord. They knew Jesus in the flesh, and they knew Jesus during the forty days after His resurrection, but they knew nothing of the Ascended Lord in glory, and that is where Paul received all of his revelations.
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
More Questions
Why did the Jerusalem apostles add nothing to Paul's gospel?
The leaders who 'seemed to be somewhat' added nothing to Paul because they had no comprehension of the revelations Paul had been receiving from the Ascended Lord.
Why did Paul say the Jerusalem leaders who 'seemed to be somewhat' made no difference to him?
The Jerusalem leaders who 'seemed to be somewhat' still thought they were in control, but it made no difference to Paul because God accepts no man's person.
Was Paul just being spiteful when he said the Jerusalem apostles added nothing to him?
Paul's statement that the Jerusalem leaders 'added nothing to him' was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and was not merely Paul getting back at them personally.