Galatians 1:16
What does Galatians 1:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:16 means
God’s purpose was “to reveal his Son in me,” so that Paul would preach Christ among the Gentiles. The revelation is both to and in Paul, transforming him and commissioning him. Immediately, he “conferred not with flesh and blood,” showing he did not need human validation or instruction to begin. His Gospel and mission came directly from God’s unveiling of Christ. The Gentile focus also explains why legalistic additions threaten the very heart of his calling: they would subordinate his God-given ministry to human boundary markers. Paul models obedience to revelation—when Christ is revealed, the only fitting response is proclamation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:
KJV
King James Version · 1611To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To give the revelation of his Son in me, so that I might give the news of him to the Gentiles; then I did not take the opinion of flesh and blood,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to reveal His Son in me, that I might proclaim him good news among the nations, immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles: immediately I condescended not to flesh and blood.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I may announce him as glad tidings among the nations, immediately I took not counsel with flesh and blood,
Context
Building on God’s gracious call (verse 15), this verse states its content and result: the revelation of the Son and the Gentile mission. Paul stresses independence from human counsel right away, preparing for the claim that he did not go to Jerusalem initially. Next, he describes going to Arabia and returning to Damascus (verse 17), and only after three years visiting Cephas (verse 18). This sequence demonstrates that his formative instruction came under Christ’s direction, not under apostolic tutelage.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 1:13
And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as in the rest of the Gentiles.
- Romans 11:13
But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry;
- 2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, Andwhichentered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
- Luke 9:23
And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- Galatians 2:1
Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.
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