Taught By the Lord - October 14

Read Galatians 1:16-20

…in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother. (in what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!)

Reflect

How do these details from Paul’s life support his claim that his calling is from the Lord, not man?

What is our calling? What is our purpose in life? Is it simply our jobs and careers? Who determines our calling? Do we choose our calling according to our own will? Do other people choose it for us? Or do we have a divinely appointed calling on our lives?

Before when we read Galatians 1:11-12, Paul made it clear that the Gospel he received wasn’t made up by him or any other man. He had received the Gospel from Jesus Christ Himself. In today’s passage, we get more details about God’s purpose for miraculously giving His Gospel to Paul, a former persecutor of the church—God intended for Paul to preach Him to the Gentiles—the non-Jewish population.

We also read more details about how God equipped Paul to fulfill this calling. Jesus Himself became Paul’s tutor. Paul says that after his conversion, he didn’t “immediately consult with anyone” meaning he didn’t sit under the instruction of the other apostles and he didn’t go off to Jerusalem for more religious training. Instead he went away into Arabia which was a region that extended east of Damascus down the Sinai peninsula. Then he returned to Damascus. We don’t know exactly how long he stayed in Arabia vs. staying in Damascus but we do know that he was in the Arabia/Damascus region for three years before he went back up to Jerusalem to meet Cephas (Peter). We don’t have many details about what Paul was doing for three whole years but there is little doubt that this was his spiritual preparation for his ministry and Jesus was his teacher.

Dr. Warren Wiersbe wrote: “The apostles had received three years of teaching from the Lord Jesus, and now Paul was going to have his own opportunity to be taught of the Lord.” When Paul went back up to Jerusalem, he only stayed with Peter (and saw James as well) for about two weeks. That was not enough time for Paul to have received much Gospel instruction from Peter. Instead, his primary purpose for meeting with Peter and James was to get to know them.

So why did Paul explain this to the Galatians in his defense against the Judaizers? In his commentary on Galatians, John MacArthur wrote: “Paul’s point in this part of the letter was to affirm that he had received his gospel directly from the Lord, not the other apostles…Any accusation that he was a second-hand apostle, receiving his message from the Jerusalem apostles, was false.” Paul proved his point that he was a legit apostle who had been taught and trained by the Lord in order to fulfill His purpose for Paul’s ministry.

How does this apply to us today, though? Well, we are not apostles. We didn’t have the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus when he ministered here on earth and he hasn’t miraculously revealed himself to us individually. But we can be taught by the Lord! We can read and meditate on His Word and dedicate ourselves to prayer. Doing so will equip us to fulfill the calling that God has for all of His followers which is to glorify Him and go make disciples.

Respond

Teacher, like Paul and the apostles, I want to be You. Teach me through Your Word and guide me in Your ways so that I may be fully equipped to serve and fulfill the specific calling that You have placed on my life. Glory to You alone. Amen!

Reveal

Paul spent years in quiet preparation before stepping into his public calling, and that same principle can shape how you live out your faith in small, meaningful ways. Think of someone in your life—a coworker, friend, or family member—who is in a season of uncertainty or searching for direction. Instead of trying to give them quick advice or a “fix,” invite them to join you in something that has helped you slow down and gain clarity: maybe it’s a simple walk, sitting together over coffee, or reading a short, uplifting article together. As you listen more than you speak, share honestly that you’re also learning and growing, and that time spent reflecting on what truly matters has been shaping your perspective. In doing this, you’re not only practicing what Paul modeled—making space for God to teach and equip—but you’re also gently showing another person that slowing down to seek truth is both possible and life-giving.