I went up under the guidance of a divine revelation. Now I laid before them the good news that I was in the habit of preaching among the heathen, but first I did so privately before the leaders, for fear that my course might be or might have been to no purpose.

But from those of distinction, whatever they were it makes no difference to me,??od is partial to no man,??or those of distinction added nothing to me,

I do not ignore or nullify the [gracious gift of the] grace of God [His amazing, unmerited favor], for if righteousness comes through [observing] the Law, then Christ died needlessly. [His suffering and death would have had no purpose whatsoever.]”

Have you suffered so many things and experienced so much all for nothing—if indeed it was all for nothing?

I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored [to the point of exhaustion] over you in vain.

These men are courting your favor to no good purpose. They want to isolate you, so that you will be courting their favor.