Paul's Divine Call and Conversion
Galatians 1:11-24
Gal.1.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Γνωριζω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ευαγγελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ευαγγελισθεν: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,acc,sg,n
- υπ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- κατα: PREP
- ανθρωπον·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Gal.1:12 (structural): Immediate continuation: Paul explains the source of his gospel—'not from men' but 'by revelation of Jesus Christ'—directly amplifying 1:11's claim.
- 1 Cor.15:3-8 (verbal): Paul twice uses the language of having 'received' and 'delivered' the gospel tradition, paralleling Gal 1:11's stress that the gospel was received (not invented) rather than originating with humans.
- Rom.16:25-26 (thematic): Describes the gospel as a revelation/manifestation of a mystery now disclosed from Scripture—echoes Gal 1:11's theme that the gospel's origin is divine revelation, not human source.
- Eph.3:3-5 (allusion): Paul speaks of a 'revelation' of the mystery given to him so that he may understand and proclaim it—closely parallels Gal 1:11's emphasis that his message came by revelation.
- Acts 26:16-18 (thematic): Paul's commission on the Damascus road—Jesus' direct revelation and sending of Paul—provides the narrative basis for Gal 1:11's claim that his gospel derives from a divine, not human, source.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I make known to you, brothers, that the gospel proclaimed by me is not of human origin.
- I make known to you, brothers, that the gospel I proclaim is not of human origin.
Gal.1.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- γαρ: PART
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- παρα: PREP
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παρελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- ουτε: CONJ
- εδιδαχθην: VERB,aor,pass,ind,1,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- δι᾽αποκαλυψεως: PREP+NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:11 (verbal): Directly parallel claim in the same letter: Paul insists the gospel he proclaims is not of human origin—echoing the assertion that it came not from man.
- Galatians 1:15-16 (allusion): Immediate explication of 1:12 in which Paul recounts that God 'revealed his Son' to him—further specifying the revelation that authorized his gospel.
- Galatians 2:2 (thematic): Paul again appeals to revelation as the basis for his actions (he 'went up by revelation'), reinforcing the theme that his apostolic decisions are revelation‑driven rather than humanly derived.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23 (verbal): Paul uses the formula 'I received from the Lord' to describe a core tradition (the Lord's supper); parallels Gal. 1:12's contrast between teachings received from humans and those received by divine disclosure.
- Ephesians 3:3-4 (thematic): Paul speaks of the 'revelation' by which the mystery was made known to him—similar language and concept of special revelation granting Paul insight into the gospel.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I did not receive it from a man, nor was I taught it; rather, it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
- For I did not receive it from a man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal.1.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Ηκουσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εμην: PRON,acc,sg,1
- αναστροφην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ποτε: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιουδαισμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- καθ᾽υπερβολην: ADV
- εδιωκον: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκκλησιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επορθουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 15:9 (verbal): Paul states he is 'the least of the apostles' because he persecuted the church—direct self-characterization echoing Gal. 1:13's claim to have persecuted the church of God.
- Philippians 3:6 (verbal): Paul describes his pre-conversion status as zealous and 'a persecutor of the church,' using similar language and emphasis as Gal. 1:13.
- Acts 8:3 (verbal): Narrative account that Paul (Saul) was 'ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women'—concrete actions that parallel Gal. 1:13's description of persecuting and destroying the church.
- Acts 9:1-2 (thematic): Early narrative of Saul's authority to arrest followers of 'the Way' and his active persecution of Christians, corroborating the background behind Paul's claim in Gal. 1:13.
- Acts 26:9-11 (quotation): Paul's speech to Agrippa recounts his former persecution of Christians 'to their death,' binding and delivering them to prisons—an expanded, personal testimony that parallels and amplifies the assertion in Gal. 1:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and sought to destroy it;
- For you have heard of my former life in Judaism: how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.
Gal.1.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- προεκοπτον: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιουδαισμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- υπερ: PREP
- πολλους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- συνηλικιωτας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- γενει: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- περισσοτερως: ADV,comp
- ζηλωτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υπαρχων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πατρικων: ADJ,gen,pl,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- παραδοσεων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
Parallels
- Philippians 3:5-6 (verbal): Paul lists his Jewish credentials and uses the language of zeal and surpassing others ('as to zeal, a persecutor...') echoing his claim to be more zealous for ancestral traditions.
- Acts 22:3 (structural): Paul describes his Jewish upbringing and training ('brought up... educated at the feet of Gamaliel'), paralleling Galatians' emphasis on his background in Judaism and familial tradition.
- Acts 26:5 (allusion): Paul's claim that he lived 'according to the strictest party of our religion' (as a Pharisee) parallels Galatians' stress on superior zeal for the ancestral traditions.
- 2 Corinthians 11:22 (thematic): Paul asserts equality with other Jewish leaders in ethnic and religious credentials ('Are they Hebrews? so am I...'), a rhetorical parallel to boasting about his standing in Judaism in Galatians 1:14.
- Galatians 1:13 (structural): Immediate context within the same letter: Paul recounts his former conduct 'in Judaism' and persecuting the church, which complements and amplifies his claim of zealous advancement in Judaism in 1:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
- I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.
Gal.1.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- οτε: CONJ
- δε: CONJ
- ευδοκησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αφορισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- εκ: PREP
- κοιλιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μητρος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- καλεσας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- χαριτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Jeremiah 1:5 (verbal): God's words to Jeremiah: 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I consecrated/appointed you' — a direct verbal and thematic parallel to being set apart before birth.
- Romans 1:1 (verbal): Paul describes himself as 'set apart for the gospel' and 'called' — uses the same language of being set apart and called for mission.
- Acts 9:15 (quotation): The Lord tells Ananias about Paul, 'he is a chosen instrument of mine' — an explicit divine commissioning that parallels Paul's claim of divine calling and appointment.
- 2 Timothy 1:9 (thematic): God 'saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace' — echoes 'called me by his grace' and the theme of grace-driven vocation.
- Luke 1:15 (allusion): Of John the Baptist: set apart from his mother's womb and filled with the Spirit — a similar motif of prenatal divine election/setting apart for service.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when he who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace was pleased,
- But when he who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace was pleased,
Gal.1.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- αποκαλυψαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- ινα: CONJ
- ευαγγελιζωμαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,subj,1,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εθνεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- ευθεως: ADV
- ου: PART,neg
- προσανεθεμην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- σαρκι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αιματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Galatians 1:11-12 (verbal): Paul explicitly states the gospel was received 'through a revelation of Jesus Christ,' directly paralleling 'to reveal his Son in me' and underscoring the non‑human origin of his commission.
- Romans 1:1-5 (verbal): Paul describes himself as called to be an apostle and to bring about 'the obedience of faith for the sake of his name' among the Gentiles—language that closely parallels 'preach him among the Gentiles'.
- Acts 26:16-18 (allusion): Paul’s recounting of the risen Lord’s appearance and commissioning (to open eyes and turn the Gentiles) echoes the theme of Christ’s revelation to Paul and the specific mission to the nations.
- Acts 9:15-20 (thematic): Ananias is told God has chosen Saul as a 'vessel' to bear his name to the Gentiles, and Saul immediately proclaims Jesus in synagogues—paralleling divine selection, revelation, and prompt proclamation in Gal. 1:16.
- Acts 22:21 (thematic): Paul’s report that the Lord said, 'Go; for I will send you far away to the Gentiles,' parallels Gal. 1:16’s emphasis on being revealed and sent to preach Christ among the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood;
- to reveal his Son in me, so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not at once consult with flesh and blood,
Gal.1.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ανηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- προ: PREP
- εμου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- αποστολους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αλλα: CONJ
- απηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Αραβιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- υπεστρεψα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- Δαμασκον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:18-19 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel in the same chapter: Paul explains that three years later he did go up to Jerusalem and saw Cephas for fifteen days, underscoring the limited contact with the earlier apostles contrasted with his earlier trip to Arabia and return to Damascus.
- Acts 9:19-22 (verbal): Acts’ account of Paul’s early days after conversion places him in Damascus, where he stayed with the disciples and began preaching—corroborating Galatians’ reference to Paul’s activity and presence in Damascus.
- 2 Corinthians 11:32-33 (thematic): Paul’s later autobiographical note about escaping Damascus by being lowered in a basket complements Galatians’ claim that he returned to Damascus, attesting to his residence and the hostile circumstances there.
- Galatians 4:25 (allusion): Within Galatians Paul elsewhere refers to Arabia (the wilderness/Sinai motif, e.g. 'Mount Sinai in Arabia'), linking his mention of 'Arabia' in 1:17 to broader theological and geographic imagery used in the letter.
Alternative generated candidates
- nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather I went into Arabia, and then returned again to Damascus.
- nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and I returned again to Damascus.
Gal.1.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- Επειτα: ADV
- μετα: PREP
- ετη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- τρια: NUM,acc,pl,n
- ανηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ιστορησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- Κηφαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- επεμεινα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- δεκαπεντε·: NUM,acc,pl
Parallels
- Acts 9:26-30 (structural): Narrative account of Paul's first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion where he sought out the disciples and was introduced to the apostles (Barnabas presents him to them), paralleling Paul's trip to see Peter/Cephas.
- Galatians 2:1-2 (structural): Paul again describes going up to Jerusalem (this time 'after fourteen years') to confer with the leaders about the gospel—another chronological Jerusalem visit used to establish Paul's interactions with the apostles.
- Acts 15:2-4 (thematic): Record of Paul and Barnabas going up to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders over an important gospel issue (the circumcision controversy), paralleling the motif of Paul traveling to Jerusalem to meet church leaders for confirmation and discussion.
- Acts 11:25-26 (thematic): Describes Barnabas fetching Saul (Paul) and their ministry in Antioch—parallels the early relationship and movements of Paul and Barnabas that intersect with Paul's visits to Jerusalem and his presentation to the apostles.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
- Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
Gal.1.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ετερον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- Ιακωβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αδελφον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 2:9 (structural): Paul names James alongside Cephas and John as the Jerusalem 'pillars'—connects to his earlier remark about personally seeing James and later recognizing his leadership role.
- 1 Corinthians 15:7 (verbal): Lists a post‑resurrection appearance to 'James' before 'all the apostles,' corroborating James's prominence among the earliest witnesses to the risen Lord.
- Acts 15:13-21 (thematic): At the Jerusalem Council James functions as the authoritative spokesman and decision‑maker for the Jerusalem church, reflecting the leadership role implied by Paul’s single meeting with him.
- Mark 6:3 (verbal): Names 'James' among Jesus' brothers, parallel to Paul's description of James as 'the Lord's brother' and attesting to his familial relationship to Jesus.
- Acts 21:18 (thematic): Reports a later meeting between Paul and James (and the elders) in Jerusalem, providing another narrative instance of interaction between Paul and James and confirming James' standing in the Jerusalem church.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
- But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
Gal.1.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- γραφω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ιδου: PART
- ενωπιον: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- ψευδομαι: VERB,pres,mid,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Romans 9:1 (verbal): Paul uses the same formula—'I tell the truth in Christ; I am not lying' (Greek: λεγω την αληθειαν... ου ψευδομαι), echoing Galatians' emphatic denial of falsehood.
- 2 Corinthians 11:31 (verbal): Paul appeals to God as witness with nearly identical language: 'The God and Father of the Lord Jesus... knows that I am not lying,' paralleling Gal. 1:20's claim 'before God I do not lie.'
- 2 Corinthians 1:23 (verbal): Paul explicitly 'calls God as witness' (μάρτυρα καλέω τὸν θεόν ἐπʼ ἐμέ), a close verbal and functional parallel to Gal. 1:20's 'behold, before God' appeal.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 (verbal): Paul (or the author) insists integrity by invoking God as witness—'God is witness'—a thematic and verbal parallel to Gal. 1:20's oath-like affirmation before God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now as to what I write to you—look! before God I am not lying.
- Now as to what I write to you—behold, before God—I do not lie.
Gal.1.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- επειτα: ADV
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- κλιματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Συριας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Κιλικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 15:41 (verbal): Describes Paul and Barnabas' travel 'through Syria and Cilicia'—the same regional phrase and missionary route as Gal. 1:21.
- Acts 9:30 (allusion): Reports that the brothers sent Saul to Tarsus (a city in Cilicia), corroborating Paul's presence in Cilicia after his Damascus period.
- Acts 11:25-26 (thematic): Narrates Barnabas going to Tarsus to find Saul and bringing him to Antioch, linking Saul/Paul's residence in Cilicia with later missionary activity.
- Galatians 1:17 (structural): Immediate context in Galatians where Paul traces his early movements (to Arabia and Damascus) prior to stating he went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
- Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Gal.1.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ημην: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- αγνοουμενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- προσωπω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- εκκλησιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Ιουδαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:23 (structural): Immediate context: the Judean churches had only heard reports about Paul (‘he who once persecuted us...’) rather than personal acquaintance, explaining his being 'unknown by face'.
- Acts 9:26 (thematic): When Paul first came to Jerusalem after his conversion the disciples were reluctant to receive him and did not believe he was a disciple—parallels his initial lack of recognition by Judean churches.
- Acts 9:27 (thematic): Barnabas vouches for Paul and introduces him to the apostles, illustrating how Paul’s acceptance by Jerusalem believers came through others after initial unfamiliarity.
- Galatians 2:9 (allusion): Later recognition by Jerusalem leaders (James, Cephas, John) contrasts with 1:22’s note of Paul being previously unknown to the churches of Judea; shows development from anonymity to acceptance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ;
- And I was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ;
Gal.1.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- μονον: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ακουοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- διωκων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- ποτε: ADV
- νυν: ADV
- ευαγγελιζεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ποτε: ADV
- επορθει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Acts 9:20-22 (verbal): After his Damascus conversion Paul immediately began to proclaim Jesus as Lord—parallels the surprise that the former persecutor was now preaching the faith.
- Acts 26:12-20 (thematic): Paul’s account of his conversion and subsequent mission shows the same reversal from persecutor to proclaimer of the gospel (declaring repentance and faith).
- Galatians 1:13-14 (structural): Immediate internal parallel in Galatians where Paul summarizes his former life persecuting the church, which the present verse contrasts with his present ministry.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 (thematic): Paul self-identifies as one who once persecuted the church but now labors in Christ’s service—echoes the transformation noted in Gal 1:23.
- Philippians 3:6 (verbal): Paul’s confession that he once zealously persecuted the church provides a concise parallel description of the former persecutor now engaged in gospel work.
Alternative generated candidates
- they only kept hearing, “The one who once persecuted us now proclaims the faith he once tried to destroy,”
- they only kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us now proclaims the faith he once sought to destroy."
Gal.1.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εδοξαζον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 9:21-22 (verbal): Directly parallels the context: after Paul's conversion those who knew him were astonished and glorified God because of the change in him—same idea and similar wording.
- Luke 2:20 (thematic): The shepherds, having witnessed God's revelation in a person (the newborn Jesus), 'glorified and praised God'—a comparable response of praise to God's work manifested in a person.
- Matthew 9:8 (thematic): After Jesus' miracle the crowds 'glorified God, who had given such authority to men'—shows the common NT pattern of people glorifying God when God acts through an individual.
- Romans 15:9 (thematic): Paul states that his ministry aims that the Gentiles might 'glorify God for his mercy'—connects Paul's mission and the result of people glorifying God because of God's work in and through him.
- Philippians 1:11 (structural): Paul's aim that believers be 'filled with the fruit of righteousness... to the glory and praise of God' parallels Gal. 1:24's note that others were glorifying God on account of God's work in Paul—both link transformed lives to God's glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- and they glorified God on my account.
- And they glorified God because of me.
But I make known to you, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism—how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.
I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God—who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me by his grace—
to reveal his Son in me, so that I might proclaim him among the Gentiles, I did not at once consult with flesh and blood,
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather I went away into Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. Now as to what I write to you, behold, before God I do not lie.
Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ;
they only kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us now proclaims the faith he once sought to destroy." And they glorified God on account of me.