Galatians 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul did not go up to Jerusalem to the earlier apostles but went into Arabia and returned to Damascus.
What Does Galatians 1:17 Mean?
Far from seeking validation from the apostles in Jerusalem, Paul stayed away. He went into Arabia and then back to Damascus. The very men one might expect him to consult, he did not consult — not out of pride, but to show his gospel owed nothing to them.
The timeline is part of the proof. Paul's message was complete before he ever met the Jerusalem leaders. Whatever the troublers claimed about apostolic authority, they could not claim Paul learned his gospel there. He had it first, and from Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Galatians 1:17
What does Galatians 1:17 mean?
Paul did not go up to Jerusalem to the earlier apostles but went into Arabia and returned to Damascus.