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§5 Paul’s Initial Relations with the Jerusalem Church (Gal. 1:18–24)

1:18 / The events recounted in the next verses seem to be told in chronological order, using the same Greek adverb meaning then (epeita) at 1:18, 21; 2:1. At 1:21 and 2:1 the adverb is translated “later.”

The word “then” gives the sense that only after he went away into Arabia and later returned to Damascus (v. 17) did Paul make his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem. The stress is on the length of time, three years, before he went to Jerusalem. The apostle wants to make plain that when he went to Jerusalem he was not a neophyte but a person of some Christian maturity. When he went he stayed for fifteen days. In the ancient world, just as today, two weeks was a significant time to enjoy a host’s hospitality. Paul’s Jerusalem visit was a substantial one: he had one-on-one access to Peter, one of the most important apostles.

Paul does not describe the specifics of his visit but says its purpose was to get acquainted. The verb “to get acquainted” (historēsai) means “to inquire” (cf. 1 Esdras 1:31). It appears to be a carefully chosen word, for this is the only place it occurs in the entire NT.

1:19 / Paul wants the Galatians to know that the contact between himself and the Jerusalem church was at his instigation and that he did not go there to be taught. The impression given is of a visit between two statesmen of equal stature who meet primarily to learn from each other.

Paul presents the beginning stage of his relationship with the Jerusalem church as respectful and limited (he saw none of the other apostles except James). He seeks to convince his Galatian readers that he was never under the authority of the Jerusalem church and that his initial relations with them were limited but cordial.

1:20 / The following exclamation demonstrates that Paul suspects his readers will doubt his word on this—I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. It is not unusual for Paul to have to defend his integrity (see 1 Thess. 2:5; 2 Cor. 1:23; 11:31). The issue of Paul’s association with the Jerusalem church and how it affected the gospel he preached to the Galatians is at the forefront of his strained relationship with his converts.

1:21–22 / The next thing he did, Paul says, was go to Syria and Cilicia. By recounting this Paul assures his hearers that even while he was generally known, he was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. The context provided by the next verse suggests that Paul identifies as being “in Christ” those churches in Judea that acknowledge his preaching. Paul can affirm as “in Christ” churches that he did not found.

1:23–24 / In the next sentence Paul dramatizes his claim that although he had no personal contact with the churches of Judea, they nevertheless thought of his activity as cause for glorifying God: The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. Paul asserts his credibility by citing what others say about him. Even those whom he has never met recognize him as one who proclaims what they too believe: “the faith.” It is especially important to Paul’s point to assert that he was recognized by believers in Judea, since the troublemakers claim that they have the same support. Paul’s statement includes the Judean churches “in Christ” as his—not the troublemakers’—backers.

So Paul’s record of events is that in the first part of his ministry he functioned on the authority of God’s commission and not as a delegate of the churches of Judea; he worked in regions other than Judea; yet his work was approved of by the churches “in Christ” in Judea.