Paul's Personal Instruction by Jesus in Arabia
Following his conversion, the Apostle Paul undertook a journey to Arabia, a period not detailed in the book of Acts but mentioned by Paul himself in his letter to the Galatians [3, 4]. This journey is understood by many interpreters as a crucial time for Paul's theological formation and the reception of his apostolic message directly from Jesus Christ [1, 4].
Paul explicitly states that his gospel message was not received from human sources, nor was he taught it by any man, but rather "by revelation of Jesus Christ" [1, 7]. This direct revelation likely occurred, at least in part, during his time in Arabia [1]. Commentators suggest that this period allowed Paul to develop his understanding of the Good News, drawing upon his existing knowledge of the Scriptures and the claims of early Christians [4]. The journey to Arabia is seen as a deliberate move by Paul to avoid immediate consultation with the apostles in Jerusalem, emphasizing the independent and divine origin of his commission [2, 3].
The account in Acts does not mention this Arabian sojourn, focusing instead on Paul's return to Damascus after his conversion [3, 5]. However, Paul's own testimony in Galatians 1:16-17 clarifies that "immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus" [2]. This sequence highlights Paul's conviction that his authority and message were directly from Christ, placing his apostleship in the same category as the original disciples [4].
The purpose of this retreat to Arabia was not to receive instruction from other apostles, but rather to receive and solidify his unique understanding and commission [2, 3]. This period is often viewed as a time of intense personal instruction from Jesus, preparing Paul for his subsequent ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles [6, 7].
Sources
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 1:12: Translate, "For not even did I myself (any more than the other apostles) receive it from man, nor was I taught it (by man)." "Received it," implies the absence of labor in acquiring it. "Taught it," implies the labor of learning. by the revelation of Jesus Christ--Translate, "by revelation of [that is, from] Jesus Christ." By His revealing it to me. Probably this took place during the three years, in part of which he sojourned in Arabia (Gal 1:17-18), in the vicinity of the scene of the giving of the law; a fit place for such a revelation of the G”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: subject, by those at Jerusalem, he went up on their own account, not on his own. And his expression, “I went not up,” signifies that he neither went at the outset of his teaching, nor for the purpose of being instructed. Both are implied by the phrase, “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” He says not, “I conferred,” merely, but, “immediately;” and his subsequent journey was not to gain any additional instruction. Ver. 17 . “But I went away into Arabia.” Behold a fervent soul! he longed to occupy regions not yet til”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 9:23: Luke here makes no mention of Paul's journey into Arabia, which he tells us himself was immediately after his conversion, Gal 1:16, Gal 1:17. As soon as God had revealed his Son in him, that he might preach him, he went not up to Jerusalem, to receive instructions from the apostles (as any other convert would have done, that was designed for the ministry), but he went to Arabia, where there was new ground to break up, and where he would have opportunity of teaching, but not learning; thence he returned to Damascus, and there, three years after his conversion, this h”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 1:17: 1:17 those who were apostles before I was: Paul put his own apostleship in the same category as the original disciples (see 1 Cor 9:1; 15:5-9; cp. Acts 1:22; 10:41). • Paul’s trip to Arabia is not mentioned elsewhere; his understanding of the Good News was apparently formed during that time. Paul knew the Scriptures (see Acts 22:3), the claims of the first Christians (see Acts 8:1), and what others had told him since his conversion.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Homily XXI. Acts IX. 26, 27 “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way.” One may well be much at a loss here to understand how it is that, whereas in the Epistle to the Galatians Paul says, “I went not to Jerusalem,” but “into Arabia” and “to Damascus,” and, “After three years I went up to Jerusalem,” and “to see Peter” ( Gal”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 9:1: 9:1-19 The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road is of central importance to the narrative of Acts—Luke recounts the story three times (also 22:1-21; 26:1-29). Paul (Saul) also alludes to this experience several times in his letters (1 Cor 15:8-10; Gal 1:11-17; Phil 3:4-11; see 1 Tim 1:12-17). Saul’s conversion was his prophetic call and commission as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 22:15, 21; 26:15-18). No one is beyond the power of God to reach, redeem, and use for holy purposes—nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). Paul was prepared through his training, ”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 1:12: 1:12 no human source . . . no one taught me: Jewish scholars primarily depended on teachers. The Judaizers argued that Paul had received his commission and message from the other apostles, but then had unfaithfully changed the message. • I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ: See 1:17; Acts 9:3-15; 26:12-18. Paul’s unique experience gave him distinctive authority and insight. But he learned other matters, such as the life of Christ, from others (e.g., Gal 1:18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; 15:3-11).”