Not till he had been three years a Christian and a Christian preacher did he come in contact with the earlier apostles; and then but slightly. He visited Cephas at Jerusalem, spending a fortnight with him (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3-7?); and he also met James, the brother of Christ (the Gr. may mean either this one other apostle or this important non-apostolic personage: no real difference to the argument). Evidently stories had been put about that Paul had been instructed by the apostolic college. There is no truth in them! After the one brief and limited contact, he pursued his own career in his native province of Cilicia and at Antioch (compare Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25 ff.), favourably heard of in Judæ an churches, but not known (Galatians 1:23). The narrative of Acts again fails to tally at points with Paul's first-hand evidence. We may well accept the statement that Barnabas did much for Paul at Jerusalem and at Antioch; but one doubts whether Paul's preaching at Jerusalem (Acts 9:29; Acts 22:18) can be historical. It is far-fetched to hold, with some, that the church at Jerusalem may have known him but not provincial churches in Judæ a! More likely Judæ a includes Galilee (Luke 4:44 mg.*) than excludes the capital. Provincial Jewish churches have no independent importance in Paul's argument. (Yet possibly 1 Thessalonians 2:15, drave out us, implies some preaching to Jews at home; unless it is Silas who is here speaking.)
Related Commentaries of Galatians 1:18
Galatians 1:18-24
18 Then after three years I went upb to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.