(The Lord speaking is red text)
Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
Next I went to Syria and Cilicia;
Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Afterwards{G1899} I came{G2064} into{G1519} the regions{G2824} of Syria{G4947} and{G2532} Cilicia{G2791};
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)