Ver. 22, 23. “And I was still unknown by face unto the Churches of Judæa; but they only
heard say, he that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc.”
What modesty in thus again mentioning the facts of his persecuting and laying waste
the Church, and in thus making infamous his former life, while he passes over the illustrious
deeds he was about to achieve! He might have told, had he wished it, all his successes, but
he mentions none of these and stepping with one word over a vast expanse, he says merely,
“I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;” and, “they had heard, that he, which once
persecuted us, now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc.” The purpose of the
words, “I was unknown to the Churches of Judæa,” is to show, that so far from preaching
to them the necessity of circumcision, he was not known to them even by sight.
Ver. 24. “And they glorified God in me.” See here again how accurately he observes the
rule of his humility; he says not, they admired me, they applauded or were astonished at
me, but ascribes all to Divine grace by the words, “they glorified God in me.”
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Galatians 1:1--3