Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
I didn't even go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles who were there before me. Instead, I headed to Arabia, and then came back to Damascus.
Paul didn't need anyone's approval to start his mission, he got his calling directly from God.
📚 Historical Context
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul is defending his apostolic authority against those who questioned it, emphasizing that his message came directly from God rather than human sources. After his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, he did not immediately travel to Jerusalem to meet the established apostles but instead went to Arabia, possibly for solitude, reflection, and preparation in his new faith. This highlights Paul's independence and reliance on divine revelation as he returned to Damascus before later connecting with the Jerusalem church.
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