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,…