Galatians 1:21
What does Galatians 1:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 1:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 1:21 means
Paul then went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia, far from the Judean center. This relocation shows that his ministry base and early evangelistic work were in areas where the original apostles were not setting the agenda. It further weakens the claim that his Gospel depended on Jerusalem’s approval or teaching. Instead, Paul preached Christ where he had been sent, extending the Gospel’s reach. His focus was obedience to the divine call, not currying favor with influential leaders. The Gospel bore fruit in new regions, confirming its power apart from institutional endorsement.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then I came to the parts of Syria and Cilicia.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then I came to the regions of Syria and of Cilicia,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Afterwards, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Context
After swearing to his account, Paul advances the timeline beyond his brief Jerusalem visit. He emphasizes distance from Judea to support the independence of his message and mission. The next verses will note that the churches of Judæa didn’t even recognize his face (verse 22) but only heard reports of his transformation (verse 23), concluding with their glorifying God because of him (verse 24). This sequence underscores both non-derivation and harmony with the broader church.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 13:1
Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
- Acts 22:3
I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
- Acts 21:3
And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
- Acts 21:39
But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.
- Acts 23:34
And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
- Acts 15:23
and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
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