Galatians 1:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

Complete Jewish Bible:

Next I went to Syria and Cilicia;

Berean Standard Bible:

Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

American Standard Version:

Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Afterwards{G1899} I came{G2064} into{G1519} the regions{G2824} of Syria{G4947} and{G2532} Cilicia{G2791};

Cross-References (KJV):

Acts 15:41

  • And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Acts 6:9

  • Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

Acts 9:30

  • [Which] when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Acts 11:25

  • Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

Acts 11:26

  • And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 15:23

  • And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Acts 13:1

  • ¶ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

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Commentary for Galatians 1:21

Galatians 1:21 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 continuing his autobiographical account to establish his apostolic authority and to defend the gospel message he preaches against false teachings that have infiltrated the Galatian congregations.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early expansion of Christianity. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul initially spent time in Arabia before returning to Damascus. Following a plot to kill him, Paul escaped and went to Jerusalem, where he met with the apostles. Galatians 1:21 picks up after these events, as Paul speaks of his subsequent travels to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. These areas were significant in the early Christian mission. Syria was home to the church in Antioch, which became a key center for Christianity and from where Paul's missionary journeys were largely organized. Cilicia, Paul's native land, bordered Syria to the east and included the city of Tarsus, where Paul likely spent time in ministry and teaching.

The themes present in this verse include the authenticity of Paul's apostolic calling and the geographic spread of the early Christian message. Paul emphasizes that his ministry was recognized and affirmed by the other apostles and that his preaching was consistent with theirs, despite his former persecution of the church. By mentioning his work in Syria and Cilicia, Paul underscores his commitment to spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem, to both Jewish and Gentile audiences, which was a central aspect of his apostolic mission. This verse also highlights the importance of personal testimony and the role of geographical movement in the advancement of the early Christian church. Paul's journeys were instrumental in establishing new churches and consolidating the faith among various communities in the Roman Empire.

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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

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

  1. Strong's Number: G1899
    There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔπειτα
    Transliteration: épeita
    Pronunciation: ep'-i-tah
    Description: from ἐπί and εἶτα; thereafter:--after that(-ward), then.
  2. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
  3. 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).
  4. Strong's Number: G2824
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κλίμα
    Transliteration: klíma
    Pronunciation: klee'-mah
    Description: from κλίνω; a slope, i.e. (specially) a "clime" or tract of country:--part, region.
  5. Strong's Number: G4947
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Συρία
    Transliteration: Syría
    Pronunciation: soo-ree'-ah
    Description: probably of Hebrew origin (צֹר); Syria (i.e. Tsyria or Tyre), a region of Asia:--Syria.
  6. 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.
  7. Strong's Number: G2791
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Κιλικία
    Transliteration: Kilikía
    Pronunciation: kil-ik-ee'-ah
    Description: probably of foreign origin; Cilicia, a region of Asia Minor:--Cilicia.