Paul tells us that the matter is by no means the unchangeability of views and convictions, even such fundamental ones as religious convictions. And as an example he gives himself: he was a convinced opponent of Christians and Christianity until he himself...
Paul tells us that the matter is by no means the unchangeability of views and convictions, even such fundamental ones as religious convictions. And as an example he gives himself: he was a convinced opponent of Christians and Christianity until he himself met the risen Christ on the Damascus road. Only after that meeting did Paul become what the Galatians knew him as: an apostle of Christ. Yet at the same time Paul, paradoxically, remained himself. But his situation looks paradoxical only at first glance.
The question is what "we ourselves" are. What does it mean to be truly oneself? Where should one look for one's true self? The simplest and fastest way is inwardly to set aside, at least for a time, everything that we call our own, because if we feel something to be ours, then it certainly is not we ourselves. To clear away all the physiological, psychophysical, and psychic layers. Then one can find one's true self. At first it may seem that we do not exist at all, but that is understandable, since we are used to seeing not ourselves, but our reflection in our own thoughts, feelings, and emotional states.
Of course, a human being is not only spirit but also nature. Yet the core of the human person is spiritual, not natural. If we are used to experiencing ourselves as nature, whether external and bodily or inward and psychic, if we are used to identifying ourselves with it, then when we first experience our existence as the life of the spiritual "I," we will most likely feel out of place. But only in this way can we understand who we really are and understand what we can become before God and people. Because here the question of the truth or falsity of our ideas, concepts, views, and most importantly our deeds and the choice we make opens to us in a completely different way.
Here one can turn from a persecutor of Christians into a Christian oneself and yet remain oneself, but only if something happens that touches this depth of the authentic, spiritual "I." So Paul calls the Galatians to remain at that depth, not orienting themselves by the outward, surface manifestations of their own "selves." Not to try to find on the surface what lies at this depth. Then it will become completely clear and obvious to them where the true gospel is and where the imaginary one is. And no external views, habits, or patterns will be able to hinder this recognition.
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1:11 But I certify you, brethren - He does not till now give them even this appellation. That the gospel which was preached by me among you is not according to man - Not from man, not by man, not suited to the taste of man.
1:12 For neither did I receive it - At once. Nor was I taught it - Slowly and gradually, by any man. But by the revelation of Jesus Christ - Our Lord revealed to him at first, his resurrection, ascension, and the calling of the gentiles, and his own apostleship; and told him then, there were other things for which he would appear to him.
1:13 I Persecuted the church of God - That is, the believers in Christ.
1:14 Being zealous of the unwritten traditions - Over and above those written in the law.
1:15 But when it pleased God - He ascribes nothing to his own merits, endeavours, or sincerity. Who separated me from my mother's womb - Set me apart for an apostle, as he did Jeremiah for a prophet. Jer 1:5. Such an unconditional predestination as this may consist, both with God's justice and mercy. And called me by his grace - By his free and almighty love, to be both a Christian and an apostle.
1:16 To reveal his Son in me - By the powerful operation of his Spirit, Co2 4:6; as well as to me, by the heavenly vision.That I might preach him to others - Which I should have been ill qualified to do, had I not first known him myself. I did not confer with flesh and blood - Being fully satisfied of the divine will, and determined to obey, I took no counsel with any man, neither with my own reason or inclinations, which might have raised numberless objections.
1:17 Neither did I go up to Jerusalem - The residence of the apostles. But I immediately went again into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus - He presupposes the journey to Damascus, in which he was converted, as being known to them all.
1:18 Then after three years - Wherein I had given full proof of my apostleship. I went to visit Peter - To converse with him.
1:19 But other of the apostles I saw none, save James the brother (that is, the kinsman) of the Lord - Therefore when Barnabas is said to have "brought him into the apostles," Act 9:27, only St. Peter and St James are meant.
1:24 In me - That is, on my account.