Galatians 1:12

Revelation. Gr. apokalupsis (see on Rev. 1:1).

Of Jesus Christ. That is, probably, a revelation of truth accorded him by Jesus Christ rather than simply one concerning Christ. Paul was instructed in the gospel “of [by] Jesus Christ,” not “of [by] men.” This would include the vision on the way to Damascus, and subsequent revelations, of which there seem to have been many. In 2 Cor. 12:7 he speaks of the “abundance of the revelations” he had received. In Gal. 1:17 he implies that much of this instruction occurred during the three years he spent in Arabia. The solitude of the desert would provide an ideal place for revelation and contemplation. The completeness of his instruction is evident from the fact that upon a subsequent visit to Jerusalem the leaders could add nothing to it (eh. 2:6). They recognized the validity of his calling to the ministry and gave him the right hand of fellowship as an apostle (vs. 7-9).