Galatians 1:23

KJV

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} they had {G2258} heard {G191} only {G3440}, That {G3754} he which persecuted {G1377} us {G2248} in times past {G4218} now {G3568} preacheth {G2097} the faith {G4102} which {G3739} once {G4218} he destroyed {G4199}.

Complete Jewish Bible

they were only hearing the report, “The one who used to persecute us now preaches the Good News of the faith he was formerly out to destroy”;

Berean Standard Bible

They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

American Standard Version

but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 1:23 captures the astonishing testimony circulating among the Judean churches concerning Paul: the notorious persecutor of the early Christian movement had undergone such a radical transformation that he was now fervently proclaiming the very faith he once violently sought to eradicate. This dramatic turnaround served as irrefutable evidence of God's mighty power and grace, leading believers to glorify God for His miraculous work in Paul's life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Paul's opening defense of his apostleship and the divine origin of the gospel he preaches to the Galatian churches. Having established that his message was not received from human tradition or instruction ([Galatians 1:11-12](/galatians/1-11-12 "Galatians 1:11-12 - Paul's Divine Revelation")), Paul recounts his dramatic conversion and subsequent period of independent ministry in Arabia and Damascus, carefully emphasizing that he did not immediately consult with the Jerusalem apostles ([Galatians 1:16-17](/galatians/1-16-17 "Galatians 1:16-17 - Paul's Independence After Conversion")). His first visit to Jerusalem, three years after his conversion, was brief and limited to seeing Peter and James ([Galatians 1:18-19](/galatians/1-18-19 "Galatians 1:18-19 - Paul's First Jerusalem Visit")). Galatians 1:23 then highlights that during this early period, the churches in Judea, who had not met him personally, had only heard reports of his conversion, which powerfully validated the authenticity of his God-given mission and the gospel's transformative power.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the nascent years of the Christian church, persecution was a constant threat, and Saul of Tarsus (Paul's former name) was one of its most zealous and feared agents. His reputation as a violent persecutor who "made havoc of the church" ([Acts 8:3](/acts/8-3 "Acts 8:3 - Saul's Persecution")) and "breathed out threatenings and slaughter" ([Acts 9:1](/acts/9-1 "Acts 9:1 - Saul's Threats")) was widespread among believers. For the Judean churches, who were geographically distinct from Paul's initial post-conversion ministry in Syria and Cilicia ([Galatians 1:21](/galatians/1-21 "Galatians 1:21 - Paul's Ministry in Syria and Cilicia")), the news of his conversion would have been truly astounding, almost unbelievable. This context underscores the profound impact of the report: it wasn't just a change of heart, but a complete reversal by someone infamous for his opposition, making his conversion a powerful and undeniable act of divine intervention.

* **Key Themes:** Galatians 1:23 powerfully contributes to several key themes. Foremost is the theme of **Radical Transformation**, demonstrating God's capacity to utterly change a life, turning a bitter enemy into a fervent advocate. This transformation also speaks to the **Authenticity of Paul's Ministry and Apostleship**; his notorious past served as unexpected, powerful evidence that his conversion and subsequent preaching were genuinely from God, not a calculated human maneuver. It highlights the **Irresistible Power of the Gospel**, which is potent enough to not only save individuals but to turn a persecutor into its most ardent proclaimer, echoing the gospel's ability to reconcile enemies to God ([Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Finally, the verse is a profound testament to **God's Sovereign and Amazing Grace**, extended even to "the chief of sinners" ([1_timothy/1-15](/1_timothy/1-15 "1 Timothy 1:15 - Paul, the Chief of Sinners")), showcasing His mercy and redemptive purpose.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **persecuted (Greek, _diṓkō'_):** From a prolonged and causative form of a primary verb meaning "to flee," this word implies pursuing with hostile intent, harassing, or even trying to injure or destroy. In Paul's context, it vividly describes his active and aggressive efforts to suppress and harm the early Christian community, chasing down believers with malicious intent.
* **preacheth (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** Derived from "eu" (good) and "angelos" (messenger), this verb means "to announce good news" or "to evangelize," especially the gospel. It signifies the act of proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation through Christ. The stark contrast here is that the one who once persecuted the church is now actively proclaiming the very message that builds it up.
* **destroyed (Greek, _porthéō'_):** This word, a prolongation from a root meaning "to sack," signifies to ravage, plunder, or devastate. It emphasizes the severity and destructive nature of Paul's actions against the church, indicating his intention to utterly lay waste to the Christian faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But they had heard only":** This phrase emphasizes the limited nature of the Judean churches' knowledge about Paul during this early period. They had not met him face-to-face, nor had they received direct instruction from him. Their understanding was based solely on reports and rumors that had reached them, highlighting the profound impact of the news itself.
* **"That he which persecuted us in times past":** This clause identifies Paul by his infamous former identity and actions. "Persecuted us" directly links him to the suffering endured by the Christian community, underscoring the depth of his former hostility. "In times past" clearly delineates his former life from his present reality, setting up the dramatic contrast.
* **"now preacheth the faith":** This is the astonishing revelation. The very individual known for his destructive opposition is now actively and publicly proclaiming "the faith"—referring to the Christian gospel, the body of truth and belief in Christ. The word "now" marks the radical shift in his life and mission, signifying a divine intervention.
* **"which once he destroyed":** This final clause powerfully reinforces the antithesis. It specifies that the faith Paul now preaches is precisely the one he previously sought to "destroy" or lay waste to. This emphasizes the complete reversal of his life's direction and purpose, making his transformation all the more miraculous and compelling.

#### Literary Devices
Galatians 1:23 is rich with literary devices that underscore the profound nature of Paul's conversion. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, or stark contrast, seen in the juxtaposition of Paul's past actions ("persecuted," "destroyed") with his present ministry ("now preacheth the faith"). This creates a powerful rhetorical effect, highlighting the radical shift in his life. There is also significant **Irony** at play: the one who was the church's fiercest enemy becomes its most zealous advocate. This unexpected turn of events serves to magnify God's power and sovereignty. Finally, the verse functions as a **Testimony** or **Witness**, as the news of Paul's transformation serves as compelling evidence to others of the gospel's truth and God's ability to save and change lives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the transformative power of God's grace, demonstrating that no individual is beyond the reach of divine redemption. Paul's radical conversion from a zealous persecutor to an ardent preacher of the gospel is a living testament to the efficacy of Christ's work. It underscores that salvation is entirely a work of God, not dependent on human merit or prior disposition, but on His sovereign call and mercy. The news of Paul's turnaround led the Judean churches to "glorify God," indicating that such a dramatic change was understood as a direct act of divine power, validating the gospel message and strengthening the faith of believers. It serves as a foundational example of how God often uses the most unlikely individuals to advance His kingdom, turning former enemies into powerful instruments for His purposes.

* [Acts 8:3](/acts/8-3 "Acts 8:3 - Saul's Persecution of the Church")
* [Acts 9:1-6](/acts/9-1-6 "Acts 9:1-6 - The Conversion of Saul")
* [1 Timothy 1:13-16](/1_timothy/1-13-16 "1 Timothy 1:13-16 - Paul's Testimony of God's Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Galatians 1:23 offers immense encouragement and a powerful challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God's grace is boundless and capable of transforming even the most hardened hearts and hostile adversaries. Just as the Judean churches glorified God upon hearing of Paul's conversion, we too should marvel at and celebrate the redemptive work of Christ in our own lives and in the lives of others, especially those who seem furthest from God. This verse compels us to never give up on anyone, recognizing that God can turn any enemy into an evangelist, any persecutor into a proclaimer. Our own transformed lives, like Paul's, become a living testimony to the truth and power of the gospel, serving as a compelling witness to a skeptical world. It calls us to live lives that consistently reflect the radical change Christ has wrought in us, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's radical transformation challenge my assumptions about who God can save or use?**
* **In what ways has my own life been transformed by the "faith" I now preach or live by, and how might that transformation be a testimony to others?**
* **What "persecutors" or "destroyers" in my life or community can I pray for, trusting in God's power to radically change them?**
* **How can I more consistently live in a way that causes others to "glorify God" because of the change they see in me?**

### FAQ
**Why was Paul's past as a persecutor so significant for the early church?**

Answer: Paul's past as a zealous persecutor (Saul of Tarsus) was widely known and deeply feared among early Christians. He was not just an opponent but an active, violent agent of destruction against the church, obtaining warrants to arrest believers and bring them to Jerusalem for punishment ([Acts 9:1-2](/acts/9-1-2 "Acts 9:1-2 - Saul's Mission to Damascus")). Therefore, the news of his conversion was not merely surprising but utterly astonishing and profoundly validating. It demonstrated that God's power was so immense that it could transform even the most ardent enemy into a fervent advocate, lending undeniable credibility to Paul's apostleship and the divine origin of the gospel he proclaimed. His radical change served as a powerful, living testimony to the truth and efficacy of the Christian faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 1:23, while narrating a pivotal moment in Paul's personal history, ultimately points to the profound and transformative power of Christ. Paul's conversion is not merely a change of heart but a dramatic demonstration of Christ's triumph over sin, death, and even human enmity. The one who "persecuted us" and "destroyed" the faith was utterly conquered by the resurrected Christ on the Damascus Road ([Acts 9:3-6](/acts/9-3-6 "Acts 9:3-6 - The Damascus Road Encounter")). This transformation showcases the gospel's ability to reconcile enemies to God through the atoning work of Christ, echoing the truth that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us")). Paul's life becomes a living parable of the new creation in Christ ([2_corinthians/5-17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), where old things pass away and all things become new. His former zeal against the church is now redirected with even greater intensity for Christ, illustrating how the Lord Jesus not only saves but redeems and re-purposes lives for His glory, making former adversaries powerful witnesses to His saving grace and the truth of His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:8

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Acts 9:13

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

1 Timothy 1:16

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Acts 9:20

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

Acts 9:26

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.