Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people,to make sure that I was not running – or had not run– in vain. – Paul (Gal 2:1-2; NET)

Did Paul doubt his gospel message? And why, with the Galatians doubting his gospel, would Paul also express doubt in it?

In the last post we examined Paul’s presentation of his gospel to the Apostles. Based on the evidence in the letter it is highly unlikely that Paul is expressing doubt in his gospel nor is he looking to the Apostles for verification of the message he proclaimed. Paul has spent the last 14 years ministering with the gospel he received from Jesus. So why did Paul present his gospel to the Apostles in Jerusalem? In what way did Paul think he might be “running in vain”? Continue reading →