Paul did not confer with the apostles because God sovereignly directed him to Arabia (Mount Sinai) to receive direct revelation of the mysteries of grace.
Immediately after his conversion, Paul did not go to Jerusalem to learn from Peter, James, and John. Instead, he went into Arabia, which included Mount Sinai, where God revealed the doctrines of grace to him, just as He had revealed the Law to Moses. This separation kept Paul's revelations distinct from what the Twelve had already understood.
Galatians 1:16-17 — This verse directly states that Paul did not confer with flesh and blood but went into Arabia.
Galatians 1:16-17 records Paul's own testimony: "Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood, neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus." This indicates that Paul, after his dramatic encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, did not seek out the original apostles in Jerusalem. Instead, he went to Arabia, which, as noted in Galatians 4:25, includes Mount Sinai. Later, in Galatians 2:1-2, Paul explains that when he finally went up to Jerusalem after fourteen years, he went "by revelation," indicating that even that visit was directed by God, not by human initiative.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's action was a deliberate departure from human logic. He points out that the natural, human thing would have been to go to Jerusalem and ask the Twelve to fill him in on Jesus' earthly ministry. However, Paul was taken into Arabia, specifically to Mount Sinai, where God revealed the doctrines of grace in the same way He had given the Law to Moses. Les explains that God wanted Paul kept as far from the Twelve as possible to prevent his unique revelations from being mixed with their understanding. Paul's revelations came directly by divine revelation, not from any human teacher or seminary.
Paul went into Arabia, which included Mount Sinai. Les notes that Arabia is identified with Sinai in Galatians 4:25. He believes Paul went to Mount Sinai to receive his revelations, just as Moses had received the Law there.
Les teaches that God intentionally kept Paul away from the Twelve because He did not want the revelations given to Paul to be mixed with what the apostles had already understood. This separation ensured the mysteries of the Body of Christ would be revealed distinctly through Paul.
After three years, Paul did go to Jerusalem to visit Peter (Galatians 1:18). However, Les clarifies that he did not go to learn from Peter; by that time, he had already received revelations and could share them with Peter, who never fully comprehended all Paul had received.
Purpose of Paul's Calling
Paul was separated from his mother's womb to reveal God's Son among the Gentiles, and immediately he conferred not with flesh and blood.
Human Reasoning vs. God's Plan
The natural thing would have been to go to the apostles for instruction, but Paul instead went into Arabia.
Revelation at Mount Sinai
Paul went to Mount Sinai to receive revelations, just as Moses received the Law there, and he did not go to a seminary in Jerusalem.
Arabia Identified With Sinai
Paul went to Arabia, and Galatians 4:25 confirms that Mount Sinai is in Arabia.
Doctrines of Grace at Sinai
God revealed the doctrines of grace at the same mountain where He gave the Law to Moses.
Later Visit to Jerusalem
After three years, Paul went to Jerusalem to see Peter, but he was not going to learn from him; Barnabas introduced him to the apostles.
Geography of Arabia
From Damascus, Paul made his way down to Mount Sinai in Arabia, as confirmed by Galatians 4:25.
Separation From the Twelve
God kept Paul away from the Twelve to prevent the new revelations from being mixed with their understanding.
Galatians 1:16-17: To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
This is the key passage explaining Paul's immediate action after conversion.
Galatians 4:25: For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
This verse shows that Arabia, where Paul went, includes Mount Sinai.
Galatians 2:1-2: Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 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 shows that even Paul's later visit to Jerusalem was by revelation, not by human planning.
Acts 9:26-27: And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
This records Paul's first visit to Jerusalem after three years, where he was introduced to the apostles by Barnabas.
Paul did not go to Jerusalem because God directed him to Arabia (Mount Sinai) to receive direct revelation of the mysteries of grace. This kept his revelations distinct from those of the Twelve. Later, he went to Jerusalem only by revelation, as Galatians 2:1-2 indicates.
Yes, after three years Paul went to Jerusalem to visit Peter (Galatians 1:18). However, he did not go to learn from them; he had already received revelations directly from Christ and could share them with Peter.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul's Gospel Was Different — Galatians 1:11 Explained