Verse MeaningGalatiansComplex verse
Galatians 1:17: Meaning Explained
Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again...
Galatians 1:17
“I did not go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles who came before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia, and later returned to Damascus.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
Paul didn't go ask the other apostles what to do. Instead, he went to Arabia and then to Damascus to follow God's plan.
What’s Happening Here
Paul is showing that he worked independently. He didn't check with the other leaders in Jerusalem. He followed what God told him to do.
Key Words
apostlesthe special followers Jesus chose before His death
Arabiaa desert region east of Jerusalem
Damascusa city where Paul had first started hunting Christians
Why It Matters
Following God's direction for your life is more important than getting approval from others first.
Did You Know?
Paul spent about three years in Arabia learning and thinking about Jesus before he started preaching.
Word Study
G3761
Neitherοὐδὲ
G424
went I upἀνῆλθον
G1519
intoεἰς
G2414
JerusalemἹεροσόλυμα
G4314
toπρὸς
G4253
beforeπρὸ
G1700
meἐμοῦ
G652
them which were apostlesἀποστόλους
G235
butἀλλ'
G565
I wentἀπῆλθον
G688
ArabiaἈραβίαν
G2532
andκαὶ
G3825
againπάλιν
G5290
returnedὑπέστρεψα
G1154
DamascusΔαμασκόν
Cross References
Continue Exploring
Read Galatians 1:17 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.