What was Paul doing during those 14 years?

[WilliamBo]

"I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Galatians 1:17‭-‬23

"Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain."
Galatians 2:1‭




So it's saying that Paul met with the apostles 3 years after Damascus Road and then 14 years later he went and met with Christian leaders.

What do you think you was doing during those 14 to 17 years? Was he just studying and learning about Jesus? Do you think he was still struggling in sin and really perfecting himself in his faith?

 

[com7fy8]

Was he just studying and learning about Jesus?

I think Paul was personally sharing and communicating with Jesus, Himself. So, this effected whatever he might have studied in Canon or other writings. He was comparing what he read to his actual experience of sharing with Jesus and getting real correction of His love's perfection . . . so he was getting the love meaning of whatever he learned.

And I would say Jesus had Paul ministering salvation to people, away from His Jewish home area. I feel how Paul could go up to people he did not even know > people who were Gentiles > and after Paul had been a conceited Jewish man who looked down on Gentiles . . . now he was reaching and sharing with Gentile strangers, and right before his eyes he was seeing the Holy Spirit change Gentiles into Paul's very own brothers and sisters in Jesus. So, this was very impressive to him, and so special, discovering how he had better family love with these Gentile-background people, than Paul had had with unsaved Jewish relatives and friends.

So, Paul was experiencing how Jesus is really about love, and not only about Jewish superiority of religion. And he was finding out how family loving in God's family really is, so he could have this as his standard of what he was ministering, including whenever he was sharing with Jews, or getting back to Jerusalem or another Jewish area where the Christian church was meeting and sharing. He was discovering what a lot of Jews needed, so he could help them discover this which he had learned while ministering to the Gentiles.

So . . . while Paul was getting away from the Jews who might want to kill him, he also was getting proof of how those hateful Jews were in such inferior stuff, but he could see how God is able to change even very nasty and hateful and impossible and conceited people to become our brothers and sisters in Jesus; because Paul did deal with Gentiles who could be Satanic, too. Plus, Paul knew how he had been a child of wrath > "just as the others." (Ephesians 2:1-3)

struggling in sin and really perfecting himself in his faith

I think that something which helped Paul a lot was he had sampled how it can be to personally share with Jesus and with brothers and sisters who relate as family in God's love. So, if Paul got into problems of sin, he could be readily thinking about how he could be doing so better in God's love; and this would encourage him and help him get back the right way. Jesus would prove Himself to him, and this would encourage him and make it easier to get out of a sin trouble and stay out

And his standard of what is sin was growing. At first, he might have been more concerned about what the Law of Moses says is a no-no and what it is ok to do. But as he discovered how blessed and special it is to share in God's own love with our Jesus family, he found out there are a lot of things which can degrade us from sharing as God's family and being pleasing to our Father the way Jesus is.

For one example > arguing and complaining are anti-love; these can help to degrade us so we do not find out how to love > Philippians 2:13-16.

 

[AlexDTX]

I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles

Paul says in the verse what he was doing. He shared to them the gospel he preached among the Gentiles.

 

[joshcorn]

Maybe this is what Jesus was doing with him. He had a religious mindset.[wrong belief system].What he believed in the old Testament,his understanding to mean was only half truths. God began to give him revelation on His word. Jesus probably did much more then that. The results of this was like when Jesus come out of the wilderness.



Romans 12:2King James Version (KJV)

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.



Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

 

[~Anastasia~]

He spent three years being instructed by the Holy Spirit (I think this was in Arabia or possibly Egypt, iirc), then later met with Peter and James, and then went and preached in Syria, etc.

There is another passage, iirc, that speaks more directly about his time of instruction. But a partial outline can be found in Galatians, ch. 1.


Paul Defends His Ministry

11For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

13For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; 14and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. 15But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, was pleased 16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.

18Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20(Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23but only, they kept hearing, “He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24And they were glorifying God because of me.

 

[Roseonathorn]

Paul was probably ivited for dinner often but I also believe He did some sparetimework. Paul did write something about trying not to be a burden and doing work to support oneself so maybe He did somekind of paying work as a scribe or if that was too dangerous to His livelyhood maybe He did some handycraft like pottery or work in clay or woodwork, Maybe He knew how to draw maps since he travelled a lot, evidently He knew how to kill and be a pest to christians so he could write letters on warning christians for people like those that He used to hang out with. I do not think He made christmaswreaths out of awfully thorny rosetwigs that shoot up twigs from the ground as I do for decoration, but what do I know, maybe he did for some festival. One uses and not waists, they can be bent just as the other twig material that is used for wreaths but sometimes in lack one takes whatever one has handy and get gardenjobs done. Better cut in winter than summer. I still can not figure out how I did not get any thorns in my hands. Also maybe he grew stuff here and there, I often plant seeds and hope they germinate and often I find oh there is another flower or plant that I have forgot I have sown some year ago, It can produce food too sometimes. Like strawberries or hazelnuts, pears, apples, plums or asparagus.

 

[eleos1954]

"I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Galatians 1:17‭-‬23

"Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain."
Galatians 2:1‭




So it's saying that Paul met with the apostles 3 years after Damascus Road and then 14 years later he went and met with Christian leaders.

What do you think you was doing during those 14 to 17 years? Was he just studying and learning about Jesus? Do you think he was still struggling in sin and really perfecting himself in his faith?

"I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”
Galatians 1:17‭-‬23

"Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain."
Galatians 2:1‭




So it's saying that Paul met with the apostles 3 years after Damascus Road and then 14 years later he went and met with Christian leaders.

What do you think you was doing during those 14 to 17 years? Was he just studying and learning about Jesus? Do you think he was still struggling in sin and really perfecting himself in his faith?

Galatians 1:17‭-‬23 - going to those various places as described (including Jerusalem on this trip) seems like reflecting/referencing on his 14 years of ministry to various places up to this point.

Galatians 2:1

Seems this was yet referencing/reflecting another trip back to Jerusalem after the one in Galatians 1:17‭-‬23

Paul after his conversion, immediately began to serve Christ in highly practical ways.

Paul traveled around a lot. Below is a sketch of his travels. He was busy "planting churches, writing letters, getting the Gospel out.

I did find this online, although approximate, no major breaks in the timeline

LOCATION IN ACTS LOCATIONS AND EVENTS APPROXIMATE DATE LETTERS WRITTEN

Acts 9:1-19 Pauls Conversion 32 AD
Acts 9:19-29 Damascus, Arabia, Damascus, Jerusalem 32-35 AD
Acts 9:29-31 Tarsus, Cilicia 35-44 AD
Acts 11:19-30 Antioch, Famine Visit to Jerusalem 45-46 AD

Above accounts for 14 years

Continuing on

Acts 13:1-14:28 First Missionary Journey 47-48 AD
Acts 15:1-35 Jerusalem Council 49 AD Galatians (from Antioch before the Jerusalem Council)

Including these (all of the above) is 17 years

After that, in case you are interested.

Acts 15:36-18:22 Second Missionary Journey 49-52 AD 1 Thessalonians (from Corinth)
2 Thessalonians (from Corinth)
Acts 18:22-20:38 Third Missionary Journey 53-57 AD 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus)
2 Corinthians (from Macedonia)
Romans (from Corinth)
Acts 21:1-26:32 Imprisonment in Caesarea 58-60 AD
Acts 27:1-28:31 First Imprisonment in Rome 61-63 AD Ephesians (from Rome)
Colossians (from Rome)
Philemon (from Rome)
Philippians (from Rome)
Post-Acts “Fourth Journey” 63-65 AD 1 Timothy (from Macedonia)
Titus (from Nicopolis)
Post-Acts Second Imprisonment in Rome, Death 66-67 AD 2 Timothy (from Rome)

God Bless.

 

[A71]

@WilliamBo

Really good question WB. I am still unsure on this one! But I understand it as per my link...until someone blows holes in it....


Paul's Timeline - When Did He Visit Jerusalem? | Living Word Ministries

 

[A71]

But to save reading a link:
The first 3 years he was in training in Arabia under Christ's tutelage, during the next 11 years he was evangelizing in Syria and Celeucia before going on his first ministry trip, prior to ministry becoming temporarily impossible after Claudius had clamped down on the Jews, meaning Paul and the Church were confined to Antioch for several years.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Paul was called in 33/34

he went to pray at Mt. Sinai in Arabia, then returned to Damascus.

he left Damascus after 3 years, in 36/37

at that time, the king of Nabataea, Aretas, attacked Agrippa... Who had insulted Aretas' daughter... By divorcing her to unlawfully marry Herodias... prompting John the Baptist to criticize him... Prompting Herodias to have her daughter Salome dance for John's head on platter...

Meanwhile, Aretas was plotting revenge Against Agrippa, Herodias Salome in all of them. Opportunity arose in 35 to 36. He joined the Parthians against Rome. He took Damascus. Which is why Paul had to escape from his governor (2 Corinthians 11:32).

In early 37, the Roman Governor of Syria, named Vitellius. Was ordered to March South through Jerusalem against Aretas.

So Paul's escape from the city may have had something to do with the Roman Parthian War?

-----

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament

Titus Was Not Circumcised When He Went to Jerusalem (Gal 2:1–5)

Paul is continuing his story of relations with the church at Jerusalem. He now recalls his second visit to Jerusalem “fourteen years later...”

Paul is referring to the visit of Acts 11:29–30, and that he reckons from the time of his conversion-call, which probably occurred in a.d. 33–34...

With Barnabas (2:1).
Barnabas was Paul’s mentor when Paul first returned to Jerusalem after his conversion (Acts 9:27). But he was also Paul’s colleague (11:24–26, 30; 12:25) at the time of the mission to Galatia (chs. 13–14).

I took Titus along (2:1).
Who was Titus? In the New Testament, his name is only mentioned by Paul. Apparently, Titus was a Gentile who resided in Antioch and became a Christian through Paul’s evangelistic activities there. When Paul and Barnabas brought the famine relief fund to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30), they took Titus along as a test case

-----

NIV Study Bible Notes

2 Cor 11:32
Aretas IV, father-in-law of Herod Antipas, ruled over the Nabatean Arabs from c. 9 BC to AD 40. The Roman emperor Caligula may have given Damascus back to Aretas, since it was once part of his territory.

Acts 9:23
After many days.
Three years (Gal 1:17–18). It is probable that the major part of this period was spent in Arabia, away from Damascus, though the borders of Arabia extended to the environs of Damascus.

conspiracy among the Jews to kill him.
Upon Saul’s return to Damascus, the governor under Aretas gave orders for his arrest (2Co 11:32; see note there). The absence of Roman coins minted in Damascus between AD 34 and 62 may indicate that Aretas was in control during that period.

 

[Erik Nelson]

http://ntwrightpage.com/files/2016/05/Wright_Paul_Arabia_Elijah.pdf

 

[eleos1954]

Paul was called in 33/34

he went to pray at Mt. Sinai in Arabia, then returned to Damascus.

he left Damascus after 3 years, in 36/37

at that time, the king of Nabataea, Aretas, attacked Agrippa... Who had insulted Aretas' daughter... By divorcing her to unlawfully marry Herodias... prompting John the Baptist to criticize him... Prompting Herodias to have her daughter Salome dance for John's head on platter...

Meanwhile, Aretas was plotting revenge Against Agrippa, Herodias Salome in all of them. Opportunity arose in 35 to 36. He joined the Parthians against Rome. He took Damascus. Which is why Paul had to escape from his governor (2 Corinthians 11:32).

In early 37, the Roman Governor of Syria, named Vitellius. Was ordered to March South through Jerusalem against Aretas.

So Paul's escape from the city may have had something to do with the Roman Parthian War?

-----

Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary of the New Testament

Titus Was Not Circumcised When He Went to Jerusalem (Gal 2:1–5)

Paul is continuing his story of relations with the church at Jerusalem. He now recalls his second visit to Jerusalem “fourteen years later...”

Paul is referring to the visit of Acts 11:29–30, and that he reckons from the time of his conversion-call, which probably occurred in a.d. 33–34...

With Barnabas (2:1).
Barnabas was Paul’s mentor when Paul first returned to Jerusalem after his conversion (Acts 9:27). But he was also Paul’s colleague (11:24–26, 30; 12:25) at the time of the mission to Galatia (chs. 13–14).

I took Titus along (2:1).
Who was Titus? In the New Testament, his name is only mentioned by Paul. Apparently, Titus was a Gentile who resided in Antioch and became a Christian through Paul’s evangelistic activities there. When Paul and Barnabas brought the famine relief fund to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30), they took Titus along as a test case

-----

NIV Study Bible Notes

2 Cor 11:32
Aretas IV, father-in-law of Herod Antipas, ruled over the Nabatean Arabs from c. 9 BC to AD 40. The Roman emperor Caligula may have given Damascus back to Aretas, since it was once part of his territory.

Acts 9:23
After many days.
Three years (Gal 1:17–18). It is probable that the major part of this period was spent in Arabia, away from Damascus, though the borders of Arabia extended to the environs of Damascus.

conspiracy among the Jews to kill him.
Upon Saul’s return to Damascus, the governor under Aretas gave orders for his arrest (2Co 11:32; see note there). The absence of Roman coins minted in Damascus between AD 34 and 62 may indicate that Aretas was in control during that period.

Could be .... could not be ...
The chronology and dating of the events in Paul's life are still disputed among scholars.
Personally I find it difficult to believe that Paul was not out ministering to the churches or otherwise for 14-17 years, but like I said that's just my personal opinion. There are many time tables out there ... one can google apostle pauls timeline and find quite a few of them.

God Bless