Why did the Jerusalem leaders add nothing to Paul's message?
The Jerusalem leaders added nothing because they had no comprehension of the revelations Paul received from the ascended Lord. They knew Jesus in the flesh and during the forty days after resurrection, but they knew nothing of the ascended, glorified Lord, from whom Paul received his message.
Les explains that these Jerusalem leaders "seemed to be somewhat," but their earlier preeminence in God's dealing was slipping away. Paul, writing by inspiration, says they "added nothing to me." The reason was not Paul's deficiency but their lack of comprehension of the revelations the ascended Lord had given him. They had known Jesus in the flesh and during the forty days after His resurrection, but they knew nothing of the ascended, glorified Lord. Therefore they had nothing to contribute to the message Paul received directly from the ascended Lord in glory.
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
Was Paul just venting at the Jerusalem apostles when he wrote about those who seemed to be somewhat?
Paul's statement about "those who seemed to be somewhat" was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not merely as Paul getting back at the Jerusalem leaders personally.