Galatians 1:23 - but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”
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What does "Galatians 1:23" mean?
This verse, Galatians 1:23, is part of Paul's explanation of how the churches in Judea reacted to his conversion to Christianity. Let's break it down:
"But they only heard:" This indicates that Paul hadn't personally met many of these Judean churches (Galatians 1:22 explicitly states he was "unknown by face to the churches of Judea"). Their knowledge of him was based on reputation.
"He who once persecuted us": This refers to Paul's past as a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted Christians before his conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He was known for imprisoning, even killing, followers of Jesus. This past history was well-known.
"now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.": This highlights the dramatic and complete reversal in Paul's life. He was now a passionate advocate for the very faith he had previously sought to eradicate. He was now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he once considered heresy.
Therefore, the meaning of the verse is this:
The Christian communities in Judea were amazed and likely encouraged by the news of Paul's conversion. They didn't know him personally, but they knew of his past as a fierce persecutor. To hear that this very person was now preaching the Gospel was a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God.
The verse highlights:
The magnitude of Paul's conversion: It underscores how drastically his life had changed.
The impact of Paul's testimony: His conversion served as a powerful witness to the truth and power of the Christian faith.
A sense of relief and hope: These churches, who had likely suffered from Paul's persecution, would have been greatly relieved and encouraged to see him now on their side.
God's grace and forgiveness: It implied that even the most dedicated opponent of Christianity could be redeemed.
In essence, the verse captures the shock, amazement, and encouragement felt by the early Christians upon hearing about Paul's radical transformation. It's a testament to the power of conversion and the unexpected ways God can work.
Galatians 1:23 - but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”
What does "Galatians 1:23" mean?
This verse, Galatians 1:23, is part of Paul's explanation of how the churches in Judea reacted to his conversion to Christianity. Let's break it down:
"But they only heard:" This indicates that Paul hadn't personally met many of these Judean churches (Galatians 1:22 explicitly states he was "unknown by face to the churches of Judea"). Their knowledge of him was based on reputation.
"He who once persecuted us": This refers to Paul's past as a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted Christians before his conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He was known for imprisoning, even killing, followers of Jesus. This past history was well-known.
"now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.": This highlights the dramatic and complete reversal in Paul's life. He was now a passionate advocate for the very faith he had previously sought to eradicate. He was now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, which he once considered heresy.
Therefore, the meaning of the verse is this:
The Christian communities in Judea were amazed and likely encouraged by the news of Paul's conversion. They didn't know him personally, but they knew of his past as a fierce persecutor. To hear that this very person was now preaching the Gospel was a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God.
The verse highlights:
The magnitude of Paul's conversion: It underscores how drastically his life had changed.
The impact of Paul's testimony: His conversion served as a powerful witness to the truth and power of the Christian faith.
A sense of relief and hope: These churches, who had likely suffered from Paul's persecution, would have been greatly relieved and encouraged to see him now on their side.
God's grace and forgiveness: It implied that even the most dedicated opponent of Christianity could be redeemed.
In essence, the verse captures the shock, amazement, and encouragement felt by the early Christians upon hearing about Paul's radical transformation. It's a testament to the power of conversion and the unexpected ways God can work.