God directed Paul to go to Jerusalem by revelation to communicate his gospel to the twelve apostles.
According to Galatians 2:2, Paul went up to Jerusalem by revelation, meaning God instructed him to go. His purpose was to communicate the gospel he preached among the Gentiles to the leaders of the Jerusalem church. This was a supernatural trip, not initiated by man, and it affirmed that his message came directly from the ascended Lord.
Galatians 2:2 — This verse explicitly states Paul went up by revelation and communicated the gospel he preached among the Gentiles to the Jerusalem leaders.
In Galatians 2:2, Paul writes, "And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." This reveals that Paul's journey to Jerusalem was not a random decision but was directed by a divine revelation. The Bible also records in Galatians 1:11-12 that Paul's gospel was not after man, nor did he receive it from man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. This same revelation guided his actions, including his visit to Jerusalem.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's trip to Jerusalem was a supernatural event, initiated by God, not by human planning. He stresses that Paul did not receive his gospel from the twelve apostles or any human source, but directly from the ascended Lord in glory. Les explains that the revelation indicated God's direct instruction for Paul to go to Jerusalem to present his gospel to the twelve, demonstrating that his message was distinct from the Jewish-focused gospel of the twelve. This visit was crucial for Paul to show that God was now reaching out to the Gentiles apart from Judaism, a concept that was incomprehensible to the Jerusalem believers.
Paul communicated "that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles" (Galatians 2:2). This gospel was unique and different from what the twelve apostles had been preaching. As Les notes, Peter and the others had not preached Paul's gospel, and they had not ministered to Gentiles except for Cornelius. Paul's message revealed that God was reconciling the Gentile world to Himself outside of Judaism, a concept that was incomprehensible to the Jerusalem believers.
Les explains that the trip was "by revelation," meaning God specifically revealed to Paul the necessity to go. This supernatural direction highlights that Paul's ministry and message were orchestrated by God, not by human councils or apostolic authority. It also reinforces that Paul's authority came directly from the risen Christ, not from the twelve.
No. Paul emphatically states in Galatians 1:12 that he did not receive the gospel from man, nor was he taught it, but by revelation of Jesus Christ. Les highlights that after his conversion, Paul did not consult with flesh and blood, i.e., the twelve, and he even went to Arabia before meeting Peter (Galatians 1:17-18). His gospel and journey were entirely directed by divine revelation.
Paul's Gospel from the Ascended Lord
Paul received his gospel not from the twelve or any human authority, but by revelation from the risen Christ in glory.
The Revelation to Go to Jerusalem
When Paul says 'by revelation,' it means God revealed to him the necessity to go to Jerusalem to communicate his gospel to the Jerusalem believers.
No Consultation with the Twelve
Paul did not receive his gospel from the twelve or from human teachers, but directly by supernatural revelation from the ascended Lord.
Communicating a Unique Gospel
The gospel Paul communicated to the twelve was distinctive, showing God's plan to reach Gentiles outside of Judaism, which was incomprehensible to the Jerusalem believers.
Paul's Separation from the Twelve
After his conversion, God separated Paul from the twelve, revealed doctrines to him in the desert, and he only saw Peter for 14 days later.
Supernatural Trip
The trip to Jerusalem was supernatural; God instructed and led Paul to go there.
Immediate Non-Consultation
Immediately after his calling, Paul did not confer with flesh and blood (the twelve), showing his independence from human authority.
Unique Gospel to Gentiles
The gospel Paul communicated was unique; Peter and the other apostles had not preached it, nor had they ministered to Gentiles.
Galatians 2:2: And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
This verse directly states that Paul went to Jerusalem by revelation to present his gospel to the leaders.
Galatians 1:12: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul emphasizes that his gospel came directly from Jesus Christ, not from any human source.
Galatians 1:16: To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Paul did not consult with the twelve after his conversion, showing his independence from human authority.
Paul went by revelation, meaning God directly instructed him to go. It was not a human decision but a supernatural leading.
He communicated the gospel he preached among the Gentiles, showing that God was reaching out to non-Jews outside of Judaism.
Paul's gospel emphasized that salvation was offered to Gentiles apart from Jewish law and traditions, a mystery not fully revealed to the twelve earlier.
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