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21
Afterwards [epeita] I came [erchomai] into [eis] the regions [klima] of
Syria [Suria] and [kai] Cilicia; [Kilikia] KJV-Interlinear
21 Then I
went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. NASB
The region of Syria being referred to is in and around Asia Minor, Antioch being the capitol of Syria. And Tarsus being the capitol of Cilicia. Both places are in and along the southern central border of present day Turkey.
This verse lines up perfectly with Acts 6 and Acts 15.
The point of his verse here is that Paul did not remain in Jerusalem, but instead left Jerusalem and Judah, and went to Asia Minor. A place where none of the Apostles were located.
He continues his point of not receiving any instruction or doctrinal teaching from any of the Apostles.
He was not influenced by any of the contemporary thoughts of those early Christian years, nor swayed by any of the opinions that may have been developing in the post-Cross months and years.
With the absence of Jesus here on the earth, it would have been easy for the early Christians to get off track due to the overwhelming existence of the Old Testament scriptures and very little new doctrines applicable to the post-cross era. Galatia was a living example of that drifting away from true doctrines.
Thus Paul was taken into the desert, much like Moses and the early Israelites, and there he received instruction that would lead to the greater portions of our New Testament.
Jerusalem and Judah was heavily influenced with Judaism doctrines. Turkey was not.
