Lectionary Calendar
Friday, September 27th, 2024
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
the Week of Proper 20 / Ordinary 25
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!
Click here to join the effort!
Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Galatians 1:18
I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes! I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him. Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.) Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Three years later, I rode to Jerusalem to meet Pete. I stayed at his place for about two weeks.
Three years later, I rode to Jerusalem to meet Pete. I stayed at his place for about two weeks.
Bible in Basic English
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas, and was there with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas, and was there with him fifteen days.
Darby Translation
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to make acquaintance with Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days;
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to make acquaintance with Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days;
Christian Standard Bible®
Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him 15 days.
Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him 15 days.
World English Bible
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Weymouth's New Testament
Then, three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to inquire for Peter, and I spent a fortnight with him.
Then, three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to inquire for Peter, and I spent a fortnight with him.
King James Version (1611)
Then after three yeeres, I went vp to Ierusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteene dayes.
Then after three yeeres, I went vp to Ierusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteene dayes.
Literal Translation
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to learn from Peter and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to learn from Peter and remained with him fifteen days.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then after thre yeare I came to Ierusale to se Peter, and abode with him fyftene dayes.
Then after thre yeare I came to Ierusale to se Peter, and abode with him fyftene dayes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
After three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days:
After three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days:
Amplified Bible
Then three years later I did go up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas (Peter), and I stayed with him fifteen days.
Then three years later I did go up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas (Peter), and I stayed with him fifteen days.
American Standard Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
Revised Standard Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and remained with him fifteen days.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then after thre yeare I returned to Ierusalem to se Peter and abode with him .xv. dayes
Then after thre yeare I returned to Ierusalem to se Peter and abode with him .xv. dayes
Update Bible Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Young's Literal Translation
then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days,
then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days,
New Century Version
After three years I went to Jerusalem to meet Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days.
After three years I went to Jerusalem to meet Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days.
New English Translation
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
Berean Standard Bible
Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
Contemporary English Version
Three years later I went to visit Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for fifteen days.
Three years later I went to visit Peter in Jerusalem and stayed with him for fifteen days.
Complete Jewish Bible
Not until three years later did I go up to Yerushalayim to make Kefa's acquaintance, and I stayed with him for two weeks,
Not until three years later did I go up to Yerushalayim to make Kefa's acquaintance, and I stayed with him for two weeks,
English Standard Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then after three yeeres I came againe to Hierusalem to visite Peter, and abode with him fifteene dayes.
Then after three yeeres I came againe to Hierusalem to visite Peter, and abode with him fifteene dayes.
George Lamsa Translation
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Cephas Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Hebrew Names Version
Then after three years I went up to Yerushalayim to visit Kefa, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Yerushalayim to visit Kefa, and stayed with him fifteen days.
International Standard Version
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas,[fn] and I stayed with him for fifteen days.Acts 9:26;">[xr]
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas,[fn] and I stayed with him for fifteen days.Acts 9:26;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And after three years I went unto Urishlem, that I might see Kipha, and I remained with him days fifteen.
And after three years I went unto Urishlem, that I might see Kipha, and I remained with him days fifteen.
Murdock Translation
and after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Cephas; and I remained with him fifteen days.
and after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Cephas; and I remained with him fifteen days.
New King James Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, [fn] and remained with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, [fn] and remained with him fifteen days.
New Living Translation
Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.
Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.
New Life Bible
Three years later I went to Jerusalem to meet Peter. I stayed with him fifteen days.
Three years later I went to Jerusalem to meet Peter. I stayed with him fifteen days.
English Revised Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.
New Revised Standard
Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days;
Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter: and I tarried with him fifteen days.
Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter: and I tarried with him fifteen days.
King James Version
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Lexham English Bible
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days,
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days,
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then after three yeres, I returned to Hierusale to see Peter, and abode with hym fyfteene dayes.
Then after three yeres, I returned to Hierusale to see Peter, and abode with hym fyfteene dayes.
Easy-to-Read Version
Three years later I went to Jerusalem to meet Peter. I stayed with him 15 days.
Three years later I went to Jerusalem to meet Peter. I stayed with him 15 days.
New American Standard Bible
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days.
Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days.
Good News Translation
It was three years later that I went to Jerusalem to obtain information from Peter, and I stayed with him for two weeks.
It was three years later that I went to Jerusalem to obtain information from Peter, and I stayed with him for two weeks.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And sith thre yeer aftir Y cam to Jerusalem, to se Petre, and Y dwellide with hym fiftene daies;
And sith thre yeer aftir Y cam to Jerusalem, to se Petre, and Y dwellide with hym fiftene daies;
Contextual Overview
10Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. 13I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him. Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.) Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me! 17 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes! I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him. Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.) Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me! 18 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes! I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him. Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.) Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me! 19 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes! I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him. Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.) Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me! 20 I, Paul, and my companions in faith here, send greetings to the Galatian churches. My authority for writing to you does not come from any popular vote of the people, nor does it come through the appointment of some human higher-up. It comes directly from Jesus the Messiah and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. I'm God-commissioned. So I greet you with the great words, grace and peace! We know the meaning of those words because Jesus Christ rescued us from this evil world we're in by offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. God's plan is that we all experience that rescue. Glory to God forever! Oh, yes! I can't believe your fickleness—how easily you have turned traitor to him who called you by the grace of Christ by embracing a variant message! It is not a minor variation, you know; it is completely other, an alien message, a no-message, a lie about God. Those who are provoking this agitation among you are turning the Message of Christ on its head. Let me be blunt: If one of us—even if an angel from heaven!—were to preach something other than what we preached originally, let him be cursed. I said it once; I'll say it again: If anyone, regardless of reputation or credentials, preaches something other than what you received originally, let him be cursed. Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn't bother being Christ's slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn't receive it through the traditions, and I wasn't taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ. I'm sure that you've heard the story of my earlier life when I lived in the Jewish way. In those days I went all out in persecuting God's church. I was systematically destroying it. I was so enthusiastic about the traditions of my ancestors that I advanced head and shoulders above my peers in my career. Even then God had designs on me. Why, when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity! Now he has intervened and revealed his Son to me so that I might joyfully tell non-Jews about him. Immediately after my calling—without consulting anyone around me and without going up to Jerusalem to confer with those who were apostles long before I was—I got away to Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus, but it was three years before I went up to Jerusalem to compare stories with Peter. I was there only fifteen days—but what days they were! Except for our Master's brother James, I saw no other apostles. (I'm telling you the absolute truth in this.) 21Then I began my ministry in the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After all that time and activity I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches in Judea. There was only this report: "That man who once persecuted us is now preaching the very message he used to try to destroy." Their response was to recognize and worship God because of me!
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
I went up: or, I returned, Acts 9:26-29, Acts 22:17, Acts 22:18
Reciprocal: Acts 9:27 - the apostles Acts 9:28 - coming Galatians 1:17 - went Galatians 2:1 - fourteen
Cross-References
Psalms 19:6
That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
Jeremiah 31:35
God 's Message, from the God who lights up the day with sun and brightens the night with moon and stars, Who whips the ocean into a billowy froth, whose name is God -of-the-Angel-Armies:
God 's Message, from the God who lights up the day with sun and brightens the night with moon and stars, Who whips the ocean into a billowy froth, whose name is God -of-the-Angel-Armies:
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem,.... Not three years after his return to Damascus, but after his conversion; and now it was that he moved to become a member of the church at Jerusalem; but they did not care to admit him, fearing that he was not a disciple, till such time that Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles Peter and James, and related his conversion and his boldness in preaching the Gospel at Damascus: his view in going up to Jerusalem at this time was partly his own safety, being obliged to fly from Damascus, but chiefly
to see Peter. The Alexandrian copy, and another, read "Cephas", and so does the Ethiopic version, the same with Peter: not to see what sort of a man he was, but to pay him a Christian visit; to converse with him about spiritual things; to know how the work of God went on under him, as the minister of the circumcision; and to relate to him, what success he had met with as the minister of the uncircumcision; but not to receive the Gospel from him, or to be ordained a preacher of it by him; for he had been three years already in the work of the ministry, before he made him this visit; and besides, his stay with him was very short, nor could he have received much from him, in so short a time, in an ordinary way:
and abode with him fifteen days; and even all this time was not wholly spent in conversation with him; for he was, during this time, coming in and going out at Jerusalem, where he preached boldly in the name of Christ, and disputed against the Grecians.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Then after three years - Probably three years after his departure from Jerusalem to Damascus, not after his return to Arabia. So most commentators have understood it.
Went up to Jerusalem - More correctly, as in the margin, returned.
To see Peter - Peter was the oldest and most distinguished of the apostles. In Galatians 2:9, he, with James and John, is called a pillar. But why Paul went particularly to see him is not known. It was probably, however, from the celebrity and distinction which he knew Peter had among the apostles that he wished to become particularly acquainted with him. The word which is here rendered “to see” (ἱστορῆσαι historēsai) is by no means that which is commonly employed to denote that idea. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; and properly means to ascertain by personal inquiry and examination, and then to narrate, as a historian was accustomed to do, whence our word history. The notion of personally seeing and examining, is one that belongs essentially to the word, and the idea here is that of seeing or visiting Peter in order to a personal acquaintance.
And abode with him fifteen days - Probably, says Bloomfield, including three Lord’s days. Why he departed then is unknown. Beza supposes that it was on account of the plots of the Grecians against him, and their intention to destroy him Acts 9:29; but this is not assigned by Paul himself as a reason. It is probable that the purpose of his visit to Peter would be accomplished in that time, and he would not spend more time than was necessary with him. It is clear that in the short space of two weeks he could not have been very extensively taught by Peter the nature of the Christian religion, and probably the time is mentioned here to show that he had not been under the teaching of the apostles.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter] These three years may be reckoned either from the departure of Paul from Jerusalem, or from his return from Arabia to Damascus.
To see Peter - Ιστορησαι Πετρον, to become personally acquainted with Peter; for this is the proper import of the verb ιστορειν, from which we have the word ιστορια, history, which signifies a relation of things from personal knowledge and actual acquaintance. How far this is, now, from the sense in which we must take the word, ninety-nine of every hundred of our histories sufficiently show. They are any thing but true relations of facts and persons.
And abode with him fifteen days. — It was not, therefore, to get religious knowledge from him that he paid him this visit. He knew as much of the Jewish religion as Peter did, if not more; and as to the Gospel, he received that from the same source, and had preached it three years before this.
