Galatians 1:11-12, Paul Contradicts Jesus, part I of III

Posted on Friday, April 25, 2014 in Bible Commentary | 4 comments

But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

//I’ve been accused many times of reading the Bible superficially; particularly when I point out a discrepancy between the teachings of two Bible writers. Sometimes a supposed “contradiction” in scripture can be from a superficial reading, but sometimes a “superficial” reading highlights a different flavor. My question over the next series of posts is this: Did Paul properly preserve the atmosphere Jesus left behind?

Paul never met Jesus. He never took instruction from anyone who did meet Jesus. The only thing Paul knows of Jesus’ teachings is what was presented to him in visions by Christ. That is what we should understand from today’s passage, written by Paul himself. Do you find that just a little too convenient?

So to kick off this series, let me start with a number of “contradictions” that relate to Paul’s assumed authority. This first batch have to do with an authority figure. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether Paul properly represented Jesus’ teachings:

Paul: for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.. –1 Corinthians 4:15

Jesus: And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. –Matthew 23:9

Paul: And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers –1 Corinthians 12:28

Jesus: But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. –Matthew 23:8

Paul: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors [shepherds] and teachers –Ephesians 4:11

Jesus: and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.. –John 10:16

Paul: For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ … –1 Corinthians 4:15

Jesus: Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. –Matthew 23:10

Paul: If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? –1 Corinthians 9:11

Jesus: Freely you have received, freely give. –Matthew 10:8