Galatians 1:16

To reveal his Son. Paul’s conversion to Christianity and his commission to preach the gospel were two aspects of his first personal encounter with the risen Christ (see Acts 26:12-19). It was the revelation, or appearance, of Christ to him in person on the way to Damascus (1 Cor. 15:8) that transferred his loyalty from Judaism to Christianity, and the subsequent experience of Christ dwelling within (Gal. 2:20) that led to his successful preaching of Christ among the heathen. Through Paul the world was to learn many things concerning Jesus and concerning God’s plan for mankind through His life and death. Paul became a successful instrument for preaching the gospel because he bore a personal testimony to the power of the gospel.

Among the heathen. Paul’s commission to the Gentiles had been delivered by Ananias three days after the vision on the Damascus road (see Acts 9:9, 15-17). He was not forbidden to preach to the Jews, but his chief responsibility was for non-Jews. Upon entering a city he would first go to the synagogue and there bear witness concerning Jesus before his fellow countrymen, and there he would also meet God-fearing Gentiles (see Acts 13:14,43-48; 14:1; 17:1-4).

I conferred not. Further evidence for the divine origin of his commission was evident from the fact that he had no contact with the leaders at Jerusalem for three years (v. 17) following his conversion, and that he had received no instructions from them concerning how he was to preach Jesus.