exegetical · Gal 1:18–24 · ✓ Approved

The first visit and Acts

Says “Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days”. The Greek is ἱστορῆσαι Κηφᾶν (historēsai Kēphan, “to get to know Cephas”). The printed text has Κηφᾶν; the Byzantine text and the Textus Receptus have Πέτρον; both name the same apostle (see Κηφᾶν / Πέτρον). He saw no other apostle “except James, the Lord’s brother”, and affirms before God that he does not lie. He then went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. He was unknown by face to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard that the former persecutor now preached the faith, and they glorified God because of him. Acts 9:26–27 is pointed to in Gal 1:18 → Acts 9:26–27.

Uncertain Lightfoot, Burton, Calvin, and Chrysostom read the exception as counting James among the apostles. How James was the Lord’s brother, from what point the three years run, and how this visit stands beside Acts 9:26–30, are set out from their holders in the commentary; no verdict is given here.

Claims

SaysAfter three years Paul went up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas and stayed fifteen days. The printed text has Cephas; the Byzantine text and the Textus Receptus have Peter; both name the same apostle. He saw no other apostle except James, the Lord’s brother, and affirms before God that he does not lie. He then went to Syria and Cilicia; the churches of Judea did not know him by face, heard that the former persecutor now preached the faith, and glorified God because of him.
UncertainLightfoot, Burton, Calvin, and Chrysostom read the exception as counting James among the apostles. How James was the Lord’s brother, from what point the three years run, and how this visit stands beside Acts 9:26–30, are set out from their holders in the commentary; no verdict is given here.

Citations

BSB public domain Gal 1:18–24
SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Gal 1:18–24
RP2018 Unlicense Galatians 1
TR (Scrivener 1894) public domain Galatians 1
Lightfoot, Galatians public domain p. 85 (leaf n104)
Burton, Galatians (ICC) public domain p. 60 (leaf n153)
Calvin, Galatians (Pringle) public domain p. 44 (leaf n57)
Chrysostom, Galatians (NPNF1 13) public domain p. 13 (leaf n34)

Sources Bible Scholarship & Tool CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Lightfoot, Galatians public domain Burton, Galatians (ICC) public domain Calvin, Galatians (Pringle) public domain Chrysostom, Galatians (NPNF1 13) public domain RP2018 Unlicense TR (Scrivener 1894) public domain

2026-11-13

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