Galatians 1:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and I did not go up to Yerushalayim to see those who were emissaries before me. Instead, I immediately went off to Arabia and afterwards returned to Dammesek.

Berean Standard Bible:

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

American Standard Version:

neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Neither^{G3761} went I up^{G424} to^{G1519} Jerusalem^{G2414} to^{G4314} them which were apostles^{G652} before^{G4253} me^{G1700}; but^{G235} I went^{G565} into^{G1519} Arabia^{G688}, and^{G2532} returned^{G5290} again^{G3825} unto^{G1519} Damascus^{G1154}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 9:20

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 9:25

Then the disciples took him by night, and let [him] down by the wall in a basket.

2 Corinthians 11:32

In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:

2 Corinthians 11:33

And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.

Galatians 1:18

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

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Commentary for Galatians 1:17

Galatians 1:17 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically from the epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the churches in Galatia. In this verse, Paul is addressing concerns about his authority as an apostle and clarifying the origins of his gospel message. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early development of the Christian church, shortly after Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

The themes of Galatians 1:17 include the authenticity of Paul's apostolic calling and the independence of his message from the original twelve apostles. Paul emphasizes that his commission did not come from human authorities but directly from Jesus Christ during his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, as described in Acts 9. Instead of going to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles who had been with Jesus during his earthly ministry, Paul withdrew to Arabia, a region that was likely a place of solitude and reflection for him. This period in Arabia is not detailed in the scriptures, but it is often interpreted as a time when Paul intensely studied and prayed, allowing him to develop a deep understanding of the gospel message he was to preach.

After this time in Arabia, Paul returned to Damascus, the city where he had first encountered the risen Christ. This return marked the beginning of his missionary work. The verse underscores Paul's unique calling and the divine source of his teachings, which were not derived from the established church leadership in Jerusalem but were confirmed by them later, as described in Galatians 2.

In summary, Galatians 1:17 reflects Paul's defense of his independent calling as an apostle, his direct revelation from Christ, and the period of preparation and revelation he experienced in Arabia following his conversion. This verse is critical in establishing the legitimacy of Paul's ministry and the gospel message he proclaimed to the Gentiles, which became a cornerstone of Christian doctrine and the expansion of Christianity beyond Jewish circles.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G3761
There are 125 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐδέ
Transliteration: oudé
Pronunciation: oo-deh'
Description: from οὐ and δέ; not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even:--neither (indeed), never, no (more, nor, not), nor (yet), (also, even, then) not (even, so much as), + nothing, so much as.
Strong's Number: G424
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀνέρχομαι
Transliteration: anérchomai
Pronunciation: an-erkh'-om-ahee
Description: from ἀνά and ἔρχομαι; to ascend:--go up.
Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Strong's Number: G2414
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἱεροσόλυμα
Transliteration: Hierosólyma
Pronunciation: hee-er-os-ol'-oo-mah
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם); Hierosolyma (i.e. Jerushalaim), the capitol of Palestine:--Jerusalem. Compare Ἱερουσαλήμ.
Strong's Number: G4314
There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρός
Transliteration: prós
Pronunciation: pros
Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
Strong's Number: G652
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπόστολος
Transliteration: apóstolos
Pronunciation: ap-os'-tol-os
Description: from ἀποστέλλω; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
Strong's Number: G4253
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πρό
Transliteration: pró
Pronunciation: pro
Description: a primary preposition; "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to:--above, ago, before, or ever. In the comparative, it retains the same significations.
Strong's Number: G1700
There are 104 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμοῦ
Transliteration: emoû
Pronunciation: em-oo'
Description: a prolonged form of μόχθος; of me:--me, mine, my.
Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Strong's Number: G565
There are 2564 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπέρχομαι
Transliteration: apérchomai
Pronunciation: ap-erkh'-om-ahee
Description: from ἀπό and ἔρχομαι; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively:--come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, … ways), pass away, be past.
Strong's Number: G688
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἀραβία
Transliteration: Arabía
Pronunciation: ar-ab-ee'-ah
Description: of Hebrew origin (עֲרָב); Arabia, a region of Asia:--Arabia.
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G5290
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑποστρέφω
Transliteration: hypostréphō
Pronunciation: hoop-os-tref'-o
Description: from ὑπό and στρέφω; to turn under (behind), i.e. to return (literally or figuratively):--come again, return (again, back again), turn back (again).
Strong's Number: G3825
There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πάλιν
Transliteration: pálin
Pronunciation: pal'-in
Description: probably from the same as πάλη (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand:--again.
Strong's Number: G1154
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Δαμασκός
Transliteration: Damaskós
Pronunciation: dam-as-kos'
Description: of Hebrew origin (דַּמֶּשֶׂק); Damascus, a city of Syria:--Damascus.

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