Galatians 1 21

Galatians 1:21 kjv

Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

Galatians 1:21 nkjv

Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Galatians 1:21 niv

Then I went to Syria and Cilicia.

Galatians 1:21 esv

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

Galatians 1:21 nlt

After that visit I went north into the provinces of Syria and Cilicia.

Galatians 1 verses

Galatians 1 21 Meaning

Galatians 1:21 describes the next phase of the Apostle Paul's ministry journey after his brief, limited visit to Peter in Jerusalem, a crucial period demonstrating the independence and divine origin of his apostleship and gospel. It indicates his physical departure from Judea and return to regions predominantly Gentile, where he engaged in pioneering missionary work, further establishing that his authority and message did not derive from the Jerusalem apostles.

Galatians 1 21 Context

Galatians 1:21 is a pivotal verse within Paul’s personal narrative (1:11-2:10), where he recounts his post-conversion activities to defend the divine origin and authenticity of his gospel and apostleship. Following his dramatic conversion, a period in Arabia and Damascus, and then a very brief, non-consultative visit to Peter in Jerusalem (Gal 1:18), this verse details his next strategic movement. By relocating to the Gentile regions of Syria and Cilicia, Paul emphasizes that his training, commissioning, and validation as an apostle did not come from the established apostles in Jerusalem, but directly from Christ. This period, largely unrecorded in detail in Acts until much later, highlights Paul's independence and commitment to his specific calling to the Gentiles. It directly counters any claims by Judaizers in Galatia that his message was secondary or subject to validation from the Jerusalem church or Mosaic Law, which they were attempting to impose on Gentile converts. Historically, these provinces were predominantly Gentile and formed a strategic geographical base for early Gentile missions.

Galatians 1 21 Word analysis

• Then (ἔπειτα, epeita): An adverb indicating sequential time, meaning "after that" or "thereupon." It clearly marks the next chronological step in Paul's personal itinerary, emphasizing the progression of his life and ministry independent of Jerusalem influence, following his 15-day visit with Cephas.
• I went (ἀπῆλθον, apēlthon): A simple verb meaning "I went away" or "I departed." This signifies a deliberate physical movement and separation, distancing himself from the Jerusalem apostolic hub and indicating an intentional relocation rather than a casual journey.
• into the regions of (εἰς τὰ κλίματα, eis ta klimata): The Greek "klimata" (plural of "klima") literally refers to 'zones,' 'climates,' or 'districts.' Here, it refers to geographical areas or territories. The plural form suggests that he moved throughout various parts or divisions of these large provinces, implying sustained missionary activity.
• Syria (Συρία, Syria): A significant Roman province to the north of Judea, well-known for its large Gentile population. Its capital, Antioch, later became a major center for early Christianity and a launchpad for Gentile missions, where Paul ministered extensively (Acts 11:26, 13:1).
• and (καί, kai): A simple conjunction connecting two distinct, but adjacent, geographical areas where Paul carried out his ministry.
• Cilicia (Κιλικία, Kilikia): Another Roman province to the northeast of Syria, most notably Paul’s home province, where Tarsus, his birthplace and a center of Hellenistic culture, was located (Acts 22:3). His return to this region indicates a commitment to evangelize familiar territory and shows his focus on reaching Gentiles where he had a background.

Words-group analysis

• "Then I went": This phrase signals a break from his previous interaction (brief visit to Peter in Jerusalem) and marks the commencement of a new period. It establishes his chosen direction, away from the sphere of the Jerusalem apostles.
• "into the regions of Syria and Cilicia": This phrase clearly defines the geographical scope of Paul's independent ministry after his initial time in Damascus/Arabia and his short visit to Jerusalem. By specifically naming these Gentile-dominated areas, Paul underscores his mission field and the context for his apostolic work, which primarily involved establishing churches among non-Jews. This period, sometimes called his "silent years" (circa AD 35/36-46), was crucial for his development as a Gentile apostle, operating outside the immediate oversight of Jerusalem, thereby buttressing his claim of independent, divinely revealed authority.

Galatians 1 21 Bonus section

The period described in Galatians 1:21 (roughly spanning about ten years until Barnabas seeks him out for Antioch, Acts 11:25-26) represents a significant "hidden" phase in Paul's ministry. Unlike later journeys, detailed in Acts, this decade is largely unchronicled. This extended time allowed Paul to deeply internalize and apply his revealed gospel in the challenges of cross-cultural missions, fostering his self-reliance and the purity of his message without external human influence. It served as a formative time of spiritual and strategic preparation for his later widespread missionary endeavors. Furthermore, establishing and strengthening churches in these diverse regions provided a foundation that would later become crucial for the broader expansion of the Gentile church.

Galatians 1 21 Commentary

Galatians 1:21 is a concise yet powerful statement within Paul's apologetic in defense of his gospel. After demonstrating in previous verses that his message and apostleship did not originate from human authority or teaching (Gal 1:11-12, 16-17) and that his brief contact with the Jerusalem apostles was minimal and not for instruction (Gal 1:18-19), Paul here states his relocation to the Gentile regions of Syria and Cilicia. This was not a passive retreat but a purposeful deployment, initiating a substantial, prolonged period of missionary activity, establishing churches among non-Jews in these territories.

This journey confirms several key points: Paul's apostolic calling was directly from Christ (Gal 1:1); his ministry was centered on Gentiles, as prophesied (Acts 9:15); and his gospel was effective and independent, requiring no endorsement or addition from the Jerusalem apostles or the Jewish Law. His choice to work in regions distant from the main Judean centers reinforced his autonomy. This strategic period of ministry in Syria and Cilicia formed a critical part of the empirical evidence for his unique commission to the uncircumcised, a commission later formally recognized by the pillars in Jerusalem (Gal 2:7-9).