Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of Galatians - Chapter 2 - Verse 2

2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Meaning

Paul's statement in this verse highlights the importance of maintaining unity within the early Christian church. The phrase "I went up by revelation" suggests that Paul's actions were guided by divine intervention, underscoring the seriousness of his mission. By sharing the gospel he preached among the Gentiles with the leaders of the Jerusalem church, Paul aimed to ensure that his efforts were in line with the teachings of the original apostles. The reference to communicating privately with those "of reputation" indicates Paul's tactful approach in addressing any potential disagreements or misunderstandings without causing division within the church. This verse reveals Paul's commitment to upholding the integrity of his ministry and preventing any doubts about the validity of his work. Ultimately, Paul sought to demonstrate his respect for the established leaders in the church, while also affirming the significance of his unique calling as an apostle to the Gentiles.

Theological Overview

In this verse from Galatians, the apostle Paul speaks about how he received the gospel message not from any human source but directly from Jesus Christ himself. The phrase "went up by revelation" implies that Paul received a direct revelation from God, highlighting the divine origin of his message. He then goes on to describe how he communicated this gospel to the other apostles to ensure that they were preaching the same message. The phrase "lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain" underscores Paul's concern about the validity and accuracy of his ministry. Through this theological interpretation, we can see the importance of the apostolic authority of Paul's message and his commitment to spreading the gospel in its true form. Additionally, through a word study of the term "revelation," we can delve deeper into the idea of divine revelation and the spiritual significance of receiving direct communication from God.

American Standard Version

And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.
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