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"But I went to Arabia..."

Text: Galatians 1:17b

A BRIEF HISTORICAL REFLECTION

Paul gave a brief historical review of his life after he came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me;
but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter,
and remained with him fifteen days.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Galatians 1:17-19

1. “Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me”

a) This was not required by the Lord Jesus.

b) Paul did not need to report to the apostles.

2. “But I went to Arabia”

a) This initiative came from the Lord Himself.

b) Paul merely complied with the leading of the Lord.

c) How long he was there is not disclosed in the Scriptures.

d) Why he was there for this period of time is conjectural.

i) To allow time to heal the hurt and wounds Paul had caused.

ii) The church was not quite ready to receive Paul as a servant of God.

3. “After three years I went up to Jerusalem”

a) To see Peter

i) By the Lord’s leading.

ii) As an equal not as one subjected to Peter’s authority.

b) He spent about fifteen days with Peter

i) To get acquainted.

ii) To have fellowship.

c) “But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother”

i) Paul did not come into contact with the other apostles.

ii) He saw only James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. The above statements would have cleared all doubts concerning Paul’s office as an apostle.