Galatians 1:15-20

Paul Called by God

15 But when he c who had set me apart d before I was born, 1 and who e called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to 2 me, in order f that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; 3 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then g after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James h the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, i before God, I do not lie!)

  1. Cross References
    Acts 13:2
    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
    Romans 1:1
    Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.
  2. Cross References
    Isaiah 49:1
    Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.
    Isaiah 49:5
    And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him - for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength -
    Jeremiah 1:5
    "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
    Luke 1:15
    For he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
  3. Cross References
    Galatians 1:6
    I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel -
  4. Cross References
    Galatians 2:9
    And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 9:22 - 23
    But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 12:46
    While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.
    Acts 12:17
    But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
    Romans 9:1
    I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit -
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.