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§3 The Credibility of the Gospel Paul Proclaims (Gal. 1:11–12)

1:11–12 / Paul continues his self-defense by focusing on the gospel itself. This is Paul’s usual way of underscoring his authority and credibility. For instance, at the beginning of Romans—a letter in which Paul wishes, among other things, to encourage the Roman believers to accept his apostolic authority—Paul highlights his understanding of and commitment to the gospel (Rom. 1:1–6). At the start of Galatians Paul also turns his hearers’ attention to the gospel. Paul was so thoroughly identified with the gospel he preached, both in his own mind and in the minds of others, that the most direct way to establish his credibility was to argue for the truth of the gospel he proclaimed. This focus explains why he now uses the first person singular “I” when talking about the preaching of the gospel, whereas before he had used the first person plural “we” (vv. 8–9). The issue he wishes to address for the sake of his hearers is the connection between his own trustworthiness and that of the gospel he preached to them. Furthermore, the way the semantic rhythm and rhetorical intention of verses 11–12 echo verse 1 suggests again that to Paul the issue of his apostolic credibility is one with the issue of the credibility of the gospel.

Paul affirms that the gospel he preached is not something that man made up, as proven by the fact that he did not receive it from a human being but rather by revelation from Jesus Christ. His gospel is therefore above criticism, and so it cannot be changed or added to, even by an angel from heaven. This is also why Paul himself, as the preacher of the gospel, should be trusted.