CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 1:23 They only heard the account: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/1-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/48_Gal_01_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 1:23 - Paul Preaches the Gospel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They only heard the account: The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/1-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/1-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/1-22.htm" title="Galatians 1:22">◄</a> Galatians 1:23 <a href="/galatians/1-24.htm" title="Galatians 1:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/1.htm">New International Version</a> They only heard the report: &#8220The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/galatians/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” <a href="/esv/galatians/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But they were only hearing that "the one formerly persecuting us now is preaching the faith which once he was destroying." <a href="/kjv/galatians/1.htm">King James Bible</a> But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/1.htm">New King James Version</a> But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/nasb_/galatians/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/nasb/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> but only, they kept hearing, &#8220He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/galatians/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/lsb/galatians/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith which he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/amp/galatians/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> they only kept hearing, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the [good news of the] faith which he once was trying to destroy.” <a href="/csb/galatians/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/hcsb/galatians/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> they simply kept hearing: &#8220He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.&#8221 <a href="/asv/galatians/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; <a href="/cev/galatians/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They had only heard that the one who had been cruel to them was now preaching the message that he had once tried to destroy. <a href="/erv/galatians/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havock; <a href="/gwt/galatians/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The only thing they had heard was this: "The man who persecuted us is now spreading the faith that he once tried to destroy." <a href="/gnt/galatians/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> They knew only what others were saying: "The man who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith that he once tried to destroy!" <a href="/isv/galatians/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> The only thing they kept hearing was this: "The man who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy!" <a href="/msb/galatians/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They only heard the account: ?The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.? <a href="/net/galatians/1.htm">NET Bible</a> They were only hearing, "The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy." <a href="/nheb/galatians/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy." <a href="/wbt/galatians/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But they had heard only, That he who persecuted us in times past, now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. <a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They only heard it said, "He who was once our persecutor is now telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made havoc." <a href="/web/galatians/1.htm">World English Bible</a> but they only heard, “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they were only hearing that “he who is persecuting us then, now proclaims good news—the faith that he was then destroying”; <a href="/blb/galatians/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But they were only hearing that "the one formerly persecuting us now is preaching the faith which once he was destroying." <a href="/ylt/galatians/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and only they were hearing, that 'he who is persecuting us then, doth now proclaim good news -- the faith that then he was wasting;' <a href="/slt/galatians/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And only they had heard, That he then driving us out, now announces the good news, the faith which he then felt the absence of.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But they had heard only: He, who persecuted us in times past, doth now preach the faith which once he impugned: <a href="/cpdv/galatians/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For they had only heard that: “He, who formerly persecuted us, now evangelizes the faith which he once fought.” <a href="/nabre/galatians/1.htm">New American Bible</a> they only kept hearing that “the one who once was persecuting us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> they only heard it said, “The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For they had heard only this much; that he who had persecuted us before now preached the faith which previously he tried to destroy. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But they had heard only this: “He who from the first persecuted us, now, behold, he preaches that faith which from earlier times he had overthrown.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> They had heard only that he who formerly persecuted us was now preaching the faith which he once destroyed. <a href="/godbey/galatians/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But they were only hearing that The one persecuting us at one time is now preaching the faith which he was once desolating; <a href="/haweis/galatians/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> only they had heard, that he who persecuted us in time past, now preaches the faith which he once laid waste. <a href="/mace/galatians/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> who had only heard, that I, who formerly persecuted them, did now preach the gospel of faith, which I once endeavoured to suppress: <a href="/wey/galatians/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> They only heard it said, "He who was once our persecutor is now telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made havoc." <a href="/worrell/galatians/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but they were only hearing, "He who was once persecuting us now proclaims the faith which once he was destroying." <a href="/worsley/galatians/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But only they had heard that he who persecuted us before, now preacheth the faith which he formerly would have destroyed. <a href="/parallel/galatians/1-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=181" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/1.htm">Paul Preaches the Gospel</a> …22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēsan (V-IIA-3P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">They</a> <a href="/greek/3440.htm" title="3440: monon (Adv) -- Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely.">only</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">heard</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">the account:</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">“The man who</a> <a href="/greek/4218.htm" title="4218: pote (Prtcl) -- At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.">formerly</a> <a href="/greek/1377.htm" title="1377: diōkōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.">persecuted</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us</a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.">is now</a> <a href="/greek/2097.htm" title="2097: euangelizetai (V-PIM-3S) -- From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel.">preaching</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistin (N-AFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hēn (RelPro-AFS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/4218.htm" title="4218: pote (Prtcl) -- At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.">he once</a> <a href="/greek/4199.htm" title="4199: eporthei (V-IIA-3S) -- To lay waste, destroy, ravage, harass. Prolongation from pertho; to ravage.">tried to destroy.”</a> 24And they glorified God because of me.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/9-21.htm">Acts 9:21</a> All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” <a href="/acts/9-13.htm">Acts 9:13-14</a> But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. / And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” <a href="/acts/22-4.htm">Acts 22:4-5</a> I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished. <a href="/acts/26-9.htm">Acts 26:9-11</a> So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13</a> I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Philippians 3:6</a> as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-9.htm">1 Corinthians 15:9</a> For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. <a href="/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3</a> But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. <a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Acts 7:58</a> They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. <a href="/acts/22-19.htm">Acts 22:19-20</a> ‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. / And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ <a href="/acts/26-10.htm">Acts 26:10</a> And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">1 Corinthians 1:23</a> but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, <a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">2 Corinthians 11:23</a> Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. <a href="/romans/1-16.htm">Romans 1:16</a> I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. <a href="/1_timothy/1-15.htm">1 Timothy 1:15-16</a> This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. / But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preaches the faith which once he destroyed.he which.<a href="/acts/9-13.htm">Acts 9:13,20,26</a> Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: … <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm">1 Corinthians 15:8-10</a> And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time… <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13-16</a> Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/52-7.htm">Announces</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-9.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-4.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-5.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Formerly</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Good</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Havoc</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-5.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">News</a> <a href="/galatians/1-17.htm">Once</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Past</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Persecuted</a> <a href="/romans/12-14.htm">Persecuting</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">Persecutor</a> <a href="/galatians/1-9.htm">Preaches</a> <a href="/galatians/1-9.htm">Preacheth</a> <a href="/galatians/1-9.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Ravaged</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-7.htm">Report</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-2.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Time</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-8.htm">Times</a> <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">Wasting</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Announces</a> <a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/2-8.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/colossians/1-6.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Formerly</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/psalms/74-8.htm">Havoc</a> <a href="/galatians/3-2.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/galatians/3-2.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">News</a> <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">Once</a> <a href="/galatians/5-21.htm">Past</a> <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Persecuted</a> <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Persecuting</a> <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Persecutor</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-11.htm">Preaches</a> <a href="/genesis/21-33.htm">Preacheth</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">Preaching</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Ravaged</a> <a href="/galatians/3-5.htm">Report</a> <a href="/galatians/4-16.htm">Telling</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/galatians/4-10.htm">Times</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-17.htm">Tried</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm">Wasting</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 1</div>1. <a href="/galatians/1-1.htm">Paul's greeting to the Galatians;</a> 6. <a href="/galatians/1-6.htm">He wonders why they have so soon left him and the gospel;</a> 8. <a href="/galatians/1-8.htm">and accurses those who preach any other gospel than he did.</a> 11. <a href="/galatians/1-11.htm">He learned the gospel not from men, but from God;</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">and shows what he was before his calling;</a> 17. <a href="/galatians/1-17.htm">and what he did immediately after it.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They only heard the account: The early Christian communities often relied on oral reports and letters for news about the spread of the Gospel. In this context, "they" refers to the churches in Judea, who had not yet met Paul in person. This highlights the importance of testimony and reputation in the early church, as well as the challenges of communication in the ancient world.The man who formerly persecuted us: This phrase refers to Paul's past as a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted Christians (<a href="/acts/8-3.htm">Acts 8:3, 9</a>:1-2). His transformation from persecutor to apostle is a powerful testament to the grace of God. It also serves as a reminder of the radical change that can occur through faith in Christ, echoing themes of redemption and forgiveness found throughout Scripture.is now preaching the faith: Paul's conversion and subsequent mission to preach the Gospel demonstrate the transformative power of encountering Christ. His preaching was centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament (Isaiah 53, <a href="/psalms/22.htm">Psalm 22</a>). This also underscores the idea that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to fulfill His purposes.he once tried to destroy: Paul's initial efforts to destroy the Christian faith were rooted in his deep commitment to Jewish law and tradition. His dramatic shift to becoming a proponent of the very faith he sought to eliminate illustrates the theme of divine intervention and calling. This transformation is a type of Christ's own death and resurrection, symbolizing new life and purpose. It also serves as a powerful example of repentance and the possibility of new beginnings in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus)</a> Once a zealous persecutor of Christians, Paul experienced a dramatic conversion and became a leading apostle preaching the Gospel. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The community of believers who were initially wary of Paul due to his past but later accepted him as a fellow worker in Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a> A region in modern-day Turkey where Paul established churches and to whom this letter was addressed. 4. <a href="/topical/c/conversion_of_paul.htm">Conversion of Paul</a> A pivotal event in Christian history where Paul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, leading to his transformation from persecutor to preacher. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_faith.htm">The Faith</a> Refers to the Christian doctrine and belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, which Paul was now advocating.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/transformation_through_christ.htm">Transformation through Christ</a> Paul's life exemplifies the transformative power of encountering Christ. No past is too dark for God's grace to redeem and use for His glory. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_testimony.htm">The Power of Testimony</a> The early church's acceptance of Paul highlights the importance of sharing personal testimonies. Our accounts of transformation can encourage and strengthen the faith of others. <a href="/topical/o/overcoming_skepticism.htm">Overcoming Skepticism</a> The initial skepticism of the early believers towards Paul reminds us to be open to God's work in others, even when it challenges our expectations. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_preach.htm">The Call to Preach</a> Like Paul, every believer is called to share the Gospel. Our past should not hinder us but rather serve as a testament to God's grace and power. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_perseverance.htm">Faith and Perseverance</a> Paul's perseverance in preaching the faith he once opposed encourages us to remain steadfast in our mission, regardless of past failures or opposition.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) Had heard.--Rather, were hearing.The faith.--Not quite, as yet, "the body of Christian doctrine," which was in process of forming rather than already formed, but the one cardinal doctrine of faith in Christ. (Comp. <a href="/romans/1-5.htm" title="By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:">Romans 1:5</a>, and Note there.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - But they had heard only (μόνον δὲ ἀκούοντες η΅σαν); and they only from time to time heard say. They did not see him in person, but only heard about him. The dilated imperfect, ἀκούοντες η΅σαν, applying to the whole space of time here referred to, suggests the insertion in the translation of the words, "from time to time." The ὅτι is inserted after the Greek idiom in introducing the very words spoken in oratio directa, as in <a href="/matthew/7-23.htm">Matthew 7:23</a>; <a href="/mark/2-1.htm">Mark 2:1</a>; <a href="/john/1-40.htm">John 1:40</a>; <a href="/john/4-1.htm">John 4:1</a>, etc. That he which persecuted us in times past (ὅτι ὅ διώκων ἡμᾶς ποτε); he that once was persecuting us. The διώκων is in the procter-imperfect participle, of which we have examples in Τυφλὸς ὤν ἄρτι βλέπω, <a href="/john/9-25.htm">John 9:25</a>; Οἵ ποτε ὄντες <a href="/ephesians/2-13.htm">Ephesians 2:13</a>; Τὸ πρότερον ὅντα βλάσφημον, <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13</a>. Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed (νῦν εὐαγγελίζεται τὴν πίστιν ἥν ποτε ἐπόρθει); now preacheth the faith which once he was making havoc of. The use of the term "faith" is the same as in <a href="/acts/6-7.htm">Acts 6:7</a>, "Were obedient to the faith," which is equivalent to the "obeying the gospel" mentioned <a href="/romans/10-16.htm">Romans 10:16</a>. The object to the verb εὐαγγελίζομαι is always something which is announced, never a thing which is required (cf. e.g. <a href="/luke/2-10.htm">Luke 2:10</a>; <a href="/acts/5-42.htm">Acts 5:42</a>; <a href="/acts/10-36.htm">Acts 10:36</a>; <a href="/ephesians/2-17.htm">Ephesians 2:17</a>; <a href="/ephesians/3-8.htm">Ephesians 3:8</a>); so that "faith" here cannot mean the faith which men are to render to Jesus, but the doctrine which they are to believe, to wit, that Jesus is Christ the Saviour. We have here the early beginnings of that objective sense in which afterwards the word got to be so commonly used in the Church to denote the Christian doctrine (see Bishop Lightfoot's essay 'Galatians,' pp. 154-158). In the second clause, "which he was sometime making havoc of," the "faith" is identified with the Church which held it (comp. ver. 13). We may heartily accept Estius's comment, cited by Meyer, "Quia Christi fidelibus fidem extorquere nitebatur," while we still think it intolerably harsh to understand "faith," as Meyer does, in a subjective sense. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/1-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>They ἦσαν (ēsan) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. only μόνον (monon) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3440.htm">Strong's 3440: </a> Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely. heard ἀκούοντες (akouontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. the account: ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. “The [man who] Ὁ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. formerly ποτε (pote) Particle <a href="/greek/strongs_4218.htm">Strong's 4218: </a> At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever. persecuted διώκων (diōkōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1377.htm">Strong's 1377: </a> To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute. us ἡμᾶς (hēmas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. {is} now νῦν (nyn) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate. preaching εὐαγγελίζεται (euangelizetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2097.htm">Strong's 2097: </a> From eu and aggelos; to announce good news especially the gospel. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. faith πίστιν (pistin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. {he} once ποτε (pote) Particle <a href="/greek/strongs_4218.htm">Strong's 4218: </a> At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever. tried to destroy.” ἐπόρθει (eporthei) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4199.htm">Strong's 4199: </a> To lay waste, destroy, ravage, harass. Prolongation from pertho; to ravage. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 1:23 But they only heard: He who once (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/1-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 1:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 1:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/1-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 1:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 1:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>