Galatians 1:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 1:10-24

What Paul had said more generally, in the preface of this epistle, he now proceeds more particularly to enlarge upon. There he had declared himself to be an apostle of Christ; and here he comes more directly to support his claim to that character and office. There were some in the churches of Galatia who were prevailed with to call this in question; for those who preached up the ceremonial law did all they could to lessen Paul's reputation, who preached the pure gospel of Christ to the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 1:18-24

1:18-25 Then, three years after that, I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and I stayed with him a fortnight. I saw no other apostle except James, the Lord's brother. As for what I am writing to you--before God I am not lying. Then I went to the districts of Syria and Cilicia. But I remained personally unknown to the Churches of Judaea which are in Christ. The only thing they knew about me was that they were hearing the news--our one-time persecutor is preaching the faith which once he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 1:23

But they had heard only ,.... What they knew of the apostle was only by hearsay; they had never seen him, nor heard him preach, nor conversed with him, only had it reported to them; that he which persecuted us in times past ; some few years ago, and not them personally, but such as were of the same faith with them, the church at Jerusalem and the members of it; which he made havoc of, committing men and women to prison, and causing others to flee to strange cities; now preacheth the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 1:23

They had heard only - As a persecutor of the Church of Christ, I was well known; and as a convert to Christ I was not less so. The fame of both was great, even where I was personally unknown. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 1:23

Verse 23 23.Which once he destroyed. This does not mean that faith (36) may actually be destroyed, but that he lessened its influence on the minds of weak men. Besides, it is the will, rather than the deed, that is here expressed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:11-24

Paul's personal grasp of the gospel. Paul, as we have seen, is so certain of the gospel of grace being the only gospel for sinful men, that he is prepared to pronounce an anathema on all who preach any other gospel. Lest it might be supposed that he took up this intolerant position rashly, he now proceeds to give us a short autobiography, in which he shows how he had received the gospel, and what a hold it had upon him. Let us notice the salient points in this narrative. I. HIS LIFE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:11-24

Position. "For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me." To the remarkable outburst of feeling with which the apostle approaches the Galatians, succeeds affectionate, calm statement. He addresses them now as brethren. His object in writing to them is not to excommunicate them, but to bring them back from their error. Against the misrepresentations of the Judaists he wishes to make known to them as his brethren his exact position, touching the gospel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:17-24

Proofs of his entirely independent course after conversion. The apostle adduces three or four separate facts to prove his independence of the apostles and of Judaic influence. I. HIS FIRST JOURNEY AFTER HIS CONVERSION WAS NOT TO JERUSALEM . "Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me." It was very necessary for him to show that he received no instructions from the apostles at the commencement of his ministry, for the Judaists were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 1:22-24

It is somewhat difficult to determine, and when determined to make evident in translation, the precise flexure in the intonation (so to speak) of these verses. So far as the present writer can see, it is this: the δὲ in Galatians 1:22 is slightly adversative to the foregoing sentence; as if it were, "During that time the people of Syria and Cilicia saw a great deal of me, hut the Churches of Judaea did not see me at all." The δὲ in Galatians 1:23 introduces a contrast to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 1:23

But they had heard only ... - They had not seen me; but the remarkable fact of my conversion had been reported to them. It was a fact that could hardly be concealed; see the note at Acts 26:26. read more

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