What is the context?
Paul continues his account of the time after his calling. After three years he went to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, whom the BSB footnote identifies as Peter, and stayed fifteen days. He also saw James, whom he calls the Lord’s brother.
He solemnly assures his readers before God that he is telling the truth. The details matter to his explanation of his limited early contact with the apostles in Jerusalem.
He later went to Syria and Cilicia. The churches in Judea did not know him personally. They heard the report that the man who had persecuted them was now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.
Their response was to glorify God because of him. Paul’s account ends with the change in his life becoming a reason for other believers to praise God.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this as an account of Paul’s early contacts with the Jerusalem leaders and the change others recognized in him. Wesley’s notes on verses 18–24 and the USCCB note on verses 18–24 both connect the reported events with Paul’s account of his ministry.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.