Galatians 1:22
New International Version
I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

New Living Translation
And still the churches in Christ that are in Judea didn’t know me personally.

English Standard Version
And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

Berean Standard Bible
I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

Berean Literal Bible
And I was by face unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

King James Bible
And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

New King James Version
And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ.

New American Standard Bible
I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ;

NASB 1995
I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;

NASB 1977
And I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ;

Legacy Standard Bible
And I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which are in Christ;

Amplified Bible
And I was still unknown by sight to the churches which were in Christ in Judea (Jerusalem and the surrounding region);

Christian Standard Bible
I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches in Christ;

American Standard Version
And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ:

Contemporary English Version
But no one who belonged to Christ's churches in Judea had ever seen me in person.

English Revised Version
And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The churches of Christ in Judea didn't know me personally.

Good News Translation
At that time the members of the churches in Judea did not know me personally.

International Standard Version
But the churches of the Messiah that are in Judea did not yet know me personally.

Majority Standard Bible
I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

NET Bible
But I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

New Heart English Bible
I was still unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ,

Webster's Bible Translation
And was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ:

Weymouth New Testament
But to the Christian Churches in Judaea I was personally unknown.

World English Bible
I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that [are] in Christ,

Berean Literal Bible
And I was by face unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.

Young's Literal Translation
and was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea, that are in Christ,

Smith's Literal Translation
And was unknown by face to the churches of Judea there in Christ.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ.

New American Bible
And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea that are in Christ;

New Revised Standard Version
and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I was unknown by face to the churches of Christ in Judæa.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the churches in Judea, these who are in The Messiah, did not know me by face,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but I was not known, in person, to the churches of Judea which are in Christ.

Godbey New Testament
But I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which are in Christ.

Haweis New Testament
and I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea, which are in Christ:

Mace New Testament
but was personally unknown to the churches of Christ in Judea,

Weymouth New Testament
But to the Christian Churches in Judaea I was personally unknown.

Worrell New Testament
and I was unknown by face to the assemblies of Judaea, which were in Christ;

Worsley New Testament
and was not known in person to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Preaches the Gospel
21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”…

Cross References
Acts 9:26-30
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. / Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus. / So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. ...

2 Corinthians 11:28
Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Acts 22:17-21
Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance / and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’ / ‘Lord,’ I answered, ‘they know very well that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. ...

Acts 26:19-20
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. / First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.

Romans 15:19-20
by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. / In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,

2 Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:

1 Corinthians 16:9
because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.

Philippians 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers, that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. / As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. / And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

Acts 13:1-3
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 15:1-2
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

1 Timothy 1:12-14
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. / I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.

Isaiah 52:15
so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.

Psalm 18:43
You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.


Treasury of Scripture

And was unknown by face to the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

the churches.

Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

1 Thessalonians 2:14
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

in.

Romans 16:7
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

1 Corinthians 1:30
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

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Assemblies Christ Christian Churches Face Judaea Judea Personally Sight Unknown
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Assemblies Christ Christian Churches Face Judaea Judea Personally Sight Unknown
Galatians 1
1. Paul's greeting to the Galatians;
6. He wonders why they have so soon left him and the gospel;
8. and accurses those who preach any other gospel than he did.
11. He learned the gospel not from men, but from God;
14. and shows what he was before his calling;
17. and what he did immediately after it.














I was personally unknown
This phrase highlights the Apostle Paul's anonymity among the Judean churches at the time. The Greek word for "unknown" is "agnostos," which implies a lack of personal acquaintance or recognition. Historically, this underscores the early stages of Paul's ministry, where his reputation had not yet spread widely. It reflects the humility and the initial obscurity of his mission, emphasizing that his authority and message were not derived from human recognition but from divine calling.

to the churches of Judea
The term "churches" (Greek: "ekklesiai") refers to the local assemblies of believers in Judea. Judea was a region with a significant Jewish population, and these churches were likely composed of Jewish Christians. This phrase indicates the geographical spread of early Christianity and the establishment of multiple congregations within a predominantly Jewish context. It also suggests the diversity within the early church, as these Judean churches would have had different cultural and religious backgrounds compared to the Gentile churches Paul often ministered to.

that are in Christ
The phrase "in Christ" is a central theological concept in Paul's writings, denoting a spiritual union with Jesus. The Greek preposition "en" (in) signifies a profound relationship and identity found in Christ. This expression highlights the foundational Christian belief that the true identity and unity of the church are rooted in their relationship with Jesus. It serves as a reminder that regardless of geographical or cultural differences, the churches' primary identity is their shared faith and life in Christ. This unity in Christ transcends all other identities and affiliations, forming the basis of the Christian community.

(22) Was unknown by face.--The Greek is a shade stronger: I continued unknown. If in Jerusalem itself the Apostle had not had time to receive instruction from any one, still less was this the case with the other Christian communities of Judaea. To these he was not known even by sight. At the same time, so far were they from manifesting any opposition to his teaching, that their one thought was joy to hear of his conversion.

The churches of Judaea.--Judaea is here distinguished from Jerusalem. The phrase is noticeable as pointing to the spread and early organisation of the Church at a date removed by not more than ten years from our Lord's ascension.

Which were in Christ.--This is added in order to distinguish the Christian from the Jewish communities. It means, however, something more than merely "Christian." The various sections of the Christian Church not only professed a common creed, and were called by a common name, but they stood in the same direct and personal relation to Christ as their Head. It was His presence diffused among them which gave them unity.

Verses 22-24. - It is somewhat difficult to determine, and when determined to make evident in translation, the precise flexure in the intonation (so to speak) of these verses. So far as the present writer can see, it is this: the δὲ in ver. 22 is slightly adversative to the foregoing sentence; as if it were, "During that time the people of Syria and Cilicia saw a great deal of me, but the Churches of Judaea did not see me at all." The δὲ in ver. 23 introduces a contrast to the foregoing "unknown by face;" as if it were, "They knew me not by face, but only by report." The rendering to be now given will endeavour to represent this view of the whole passage. Verse 22. - And was unknown by face (ἤμην δὲ ἀγνοούμενος τῷ προσώπῳ); but I was all the while unknown by face. The dative τῷ προσώπῳ, "by face," or "in person," marks (see Winer,' Gram. N. T.,' § 31, 6, a) the sphere to which a wider term is restricted, as ταῖς φρεσίν (1 Corinthians 14:20). Its addition prepares the reader for the subsequent intimation that, though unknown by personal presentment, he was not unknown by repute (comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:17, Προσώπῳ οὐ καρδιᾳ). The widened form of the verb, ηπμην ἀγνοούμενος, instead of ἠγνοούμην, intimates the long-continued period, represented by the words "all the while" in our rendering, for which the statement held good; which observation applies also to the ἀκούοντες ῆσαν of ver. 23. The word "still," introduced in the Revised Version, imports, as I humbly venture to think, on idea not actually expressed in the Greek. The apostle states no more than that the Churches of Judaea had at that time no opportunity of coming to know him personally. There is no ἔτι, They had, that is (for this is what seems intended), no opportunity of knowing him in his new character as a disciple of Christ. Whether or not they had known him in the terrible aspect of an unrelenting persecutor, is a matter which for the present lies out of the field of view. The period to which the apostle means this remark of his to apply may be assumed to be the whole time between his conversion and the close of this stay of his in "Syria and Cilicia." This, as we learn from the Acts, terminated with Barnabas's fetching him to join him in his work at Antioch. After this he did become known to the disciples of Judaea. Unto the Churches of Judaea which were in Christ (ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις τῆς Ἰουδαίας ταῖς ἐν Ξριστῷ). This honorific form of designation, "which were in Christ," breathes a feeling on the part of the apostle of reverential respect for those Churches, as already organized communities vitally united to Christ, while he was as yet only beginning his Christian life (comp. Romans 16:7, "Who were also in Christ before me"). This ceremonious respectfulness is the more in place, inasmuch as the apostle had reason to know that the doctrinal position which he fell himself set to defend, in reference to obedience to the Mosaic Law, was generally distasteful to Jewish believers. Grateful is it, however, to his own feelings to recollect, and now thus publicly to recognize, the kindness and devout thankfulness which in those early days of his Christian career they had evinced with reference to him (see note on ver. 24). At the same time, his entire independence of the whole Jewish community when first beginning to preach is plainly indicated. It was from no Judaean Church any more than from Jerusalem and its apostles and elders that he derived the gospel which he had then and ever since been proclaiming. If we take the bearing of the clause, "which were in Christ," as above proposed, we have no need of (Ecumenius's remark, endorsed by various critics, including Alford and even Bishop Lightfoot, that it was added to distinguish the ἐκκλήσιαι of Christians from synagogues of non-Christian Jews. Indeed, the remark is itself open to grave exception. It is true that ἐκκλησία in the singular number is used of the whole Israelite community antecedently to the Christian dispensation; but it is never found either in the New Testament or in the Septuagint to denote, as συναγωγὴ does, an organized collection of Israelites as such, dwelling in a particular neighbourhood, in the way that it is applied to an organized collection of Christians in a neighbourhood; neither is the noun ever applied to Israelites as such in the plural number. The term ἐκκλήσιαι would, of course, be taken to mean Christian Churches and no other.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I was
ἤμην (ēmēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

personally
προσώπῳ (prosōpō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383: From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.

unknown,
ἀγνοούμενος (agnooumenos)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 50: To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance.

however,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

to the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

churches
ἐκκλησίαις (ekklēsiais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1577: From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.

of Judea
Ἰουδαίας (Ioudaias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2449: Judea, a Roman province, capital Jerusalem. Feminine of Ioudaios; the Judaean land, a region of Palestine.

that [are]
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ.
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.


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NT Letters: Galatians 1:22 I was still unknown by face (Gal. Ga)
Galatians 1:21
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