The Origin of Paul’s Gospel

¹¹ For I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. ¹² For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation^(A) of Jesus Christ.^(B)

¹³ For you have heard about my former way of life^(C) in Judaism:^(D) I intensely persecuted^(E) God’s church and tried to destroy it. ¹⁴ I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.^{(F) 15} But when God, who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called^(G) me by his grace, was pleased ¹⁶ to reveal his Son^(H) in me, so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.^{[a] 17} I did not go up to Jerusalem^(I) to those who had become apostles^(J) before me; instead I went to Arabia^(K) and came back to Damascus.^(L)

¹⁸ Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem^(M) to get to know Cephas,^[b](N) and I stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James,^(O) the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ I declare in the sight of God: I am not lying in what I write to you.

²¹ Afterward, I went to the regions of Syria^(P) and Cilicia.^{(Q) 22} I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. ²³ They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted^(R) us now preaches the faith^(S) he once tried to destroy.” ²⁴ And they glorified God because of me.^[c]