10/22/26
Galatians 1:18-20 Paul had just told the Churches in Galatia that after his miraculous conversion he didn’t go at once and talk it over with anyone else; he didn’t go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. No, he went away into the deserts of Arabia and then came back to the city of Damascus. Now Paul continues his story: “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) The “three years” are measured from Paul’s conversion or his return from Arabia to Damascus. Paul’s purpose for going up to Jerusalem was to “get acquainted with” or “visit” Peter (Cephas), not to receive theological training or authorization. His staying only fifteen days meant there was no time for a lengthy apprenticeship under the Jerusalem apostles. The significance of his visit was to defend the independent divine origin of his gospel. He proves he did not derive his message from human authorities like Peter. Paul felt it necessary to prove to the Galatians that he did not receive his message or authority from the human leaders in Jerusalem.
He told us that during his post-conversion trip to Jerusalem, he met only with Peter (Cephas) for fifteen days and saw James—he did not confer with the rest of the apostolic body. It is important to note that Paul identifies James as the Lord’s brother, noting his prominent standing in the early Jerusalem church even though James was not one of the original Twelve Apostles. It also seemed appropriate for Paul to make a solemn, written oath, invoking God as his witness to prove the absolute truth of his personal timeline and apostolic independence. This was important because false teachers in Galatia accused Paul of receiving his gospel second-hand from the human leaders in Jerusalem. By inserting “before God, I lie not,” Paul treats his letter like a legal testimony, calling upon the all-knowing Heart-Searcher to confirm that his independent apostolic calling came directly from Jesus the Christ, not men.
“Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in the Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.” (vv. 21-24). This marks a key geographical shift in the Apostle Paul’s early post-conversion years to prove the independent, divine origin of his ministry. We see that he traveled away from the center of Jewish Christianity in Jerusalem to the remote areas of Syria and Cilicia, which included his hometown of Tarsus. Then, using his initial anonymity from the primary Christian communities to prove that his gospel message came directly from God rather than human teachers. Paul wants to prove his authority does not depend on the Jerusalem apostles. He notes he was personally a stranger to the believers outside Jerusalem in Judea. While they did not know his face, they knew his reputation. Paul describes these regional groups not just by geography, but by their spiritual union with Jesus. This shared faith united them, even without personal acquaintance.
Paul then explains that despite not recognizing his face, they only heard this about me: “This man was persecuting us. But now he is telling people about the same faith that he once tried to destroy.” This highlights the dramatic and radical transformation of the Apostle Paul from a violent enemy of Christianity into a dedicated preacher of the gospel. The effect of this transformation: “They glorified God in me.” This concludes Paul’s autobiographical defense by shifting the focus from his dramatic personal transformation to divine praise. Paul highlights that his message and conversion came directly through God’s grace and revelation, independent of human authority in Jerusalem. So, communities that once feared him for his violent opposition to Christianity instead broke out in worship upon hearing of his radical turnaround. The prepositional phrase “in me” (or because of me) underscores that God performed the internal work of transformation. Paul acts merely as the canvas displaying God’s mercy. This praise from the Judean churches implicitly validates Paul’s ministry, serving as an early counter-blow to the legalists who sought to discredit his apostolic calling.
What spiritual implications for believers are found in these verses? Believers learn that God’s grace can completely transform a person’s life and validate their calling through the Christ rather than human approval. Believers are also reminded to anchor their faith in God rather than relying solely on human hierarchy. It shows that no one is beyond redemption. This proves that God can redeem any past and use even the most resistant opponents for His glory. Furthermore, believers learn to trust God’s quiet seasons of preparation instead of rushing into premature public prominence. A true testimony always redirects attention and praise away from the individual and back to God, where it belongs.
