Galatians 1:19
What does Galatians 1:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:19 means
Paul adds that he saw none of the other apostles, “save James the Lord’s brother.” This detail narrows potential human influence even further. James was a key leader in Jerusalem, yet Paul’s interaction was limited. The statement honors James’s standing while reinforcing the argument: Paul did not receive his Gospel through extended apostolic tutoring. Mentioning James also hints at unity—Paul’s message was not at odds with Jerusalem’s leadership—but the brevity and exclusivity of contact show that revelation from Christ, not instruction from men, shaped his preaching.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But of the other Apostles I saw only James, the Lord's brother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and other of the apostles I did not see, except James, the brother of the Lord.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But other of the apostles I saw none, saving James the brother of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but I saw none other of the apostles, but James the brother of the Lord.
Context
Following the fifteen-day visit with Cephas, this verse clarifies the small circle of contact in Jerusalem. Next, Paul solemnly asserts he is telling the truth before God (verse 20), then moves the narrative to Syria and Cilicia (verse 21). The flow confirms that his ministry quickly relocated away from Judea, minimizing any claim that Judean churches schooled him or that he derived his Gospel from them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
- Mark 3:18
and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Thaddæus, and Simon the Cananæan,
- Matthew 12:46
While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
- Luke 6:15
and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,
- Acts 12:17
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.
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