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(3)
In proof of his claim to such independence both of apostleship and gospel,
he appeals to fourteen years of glorious ministry in which the
commendation of "the twelve" was neither sought nor received.
We must now turn to the first chapter of this epistle to see whether these things are so,
and discover how the apostle introduces this threefold theme and with what language and
argument he enforces his conclusions.
Paul's Apostleship, Gospel and Authority (Gal. 1: 1 - 24).
(Key-words "Not"; "Neither"; "But").
A1 | 1-5. Paul's APOSTLESHIP. | Not from men.
Neither through man.
But through Jesus Christ.
B1 | 6-10. No change in gospel--"Ye received".
A2 | 11, 12. Paul's GOSPEL. | Not according to man.
Neither from man, nor by teaching.
But by revelation of Jesus Christ.
B2 | 13, 14. His past attitude--"Ye heard".
A3 | 15-17. Paul's AUTHORITY. | Not flesh and blood.
Neither apostles.
But into Arabia.
B3 | 18-24. His present attitude--"They had heard".
"It was the fashion of the false teachers in the Galatian church . . . . . with a view to
undermine his authority, and to disparage the doctrine which he taught, to originate
reports prejudicial to the character of St. Paul. He had never seen the Lord Jesus Christ;
had not received his commissions as the rest of the apostles did, at His hands; if he had
any position in the church, it was delegated to him from others; whatever knowledge of
the gospel he possessed had been derived from the instruction of men, and consequently
his testimony, should any difference of opinion arise, should be accounted of no value, if
found in opposition to them. To meet this and every kindred species of defamation, the
apostle felt called upon in limine to establish the divine origin of his mission, which he
does, negatively and affirmatively, in the passage before us" (Gwynne).
The title "apostle" is familiar to all Christians and its general import is understood. It
plays such an important part however in the argument of this epistle, and its meaning is
so intimately attached to the whole range of ministry fulfilled by Paul, that we will not
consider the time ill spent that makes the meaning and bearing of this title known, before
we proceed with the teaching of the epistle.
Apostolos occurs 81 times in the New Testament and is translated 78 times "apostle",
once "he that is sent", and twice "messenger". The word is distributed as follows, nine
occurrences in the four gospels, of which Luke contains six, and the other three
references are found in Matt. 10: 2; Mark 6: 30 and in John 13: 16. This last reference
however should be kept apart, as it does not speak of "the apostles" but can be applied to
all believers, "neither is he that is sent greater than He that sent him". The Acts of the
Apostles itself contain 30 references, the Epistles of Paul use the word 35 times, of which