The tradition of the courtroom witness oath was brought to America by the earliest English settlers, but the practice of requiring a witness to swear to honesty likely dates to Roman times. Today’s section of Galatians reads almost like a courtroom testimony. Paul is defending himself against those who have tried to discredit him and have accused him of preaching a false, man- made gospel.

After testifying of his radical conversion and calling (vv. 11–16), Paul tells about his subsequent travel. He explains that he “did not [immediately] go up to Jerusalem” (v. 17). He did not urgently seek the approval and tutelage of the established apostles. He did not need to. Instead, based on the direct calling of God, he went to Arabia and then back to Damascus, the location of his conversion. Paul may have communed with God in the wilderness as Moses, Elijah, and Jesus did. Then he began his gospel ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 9:19–25).

For three years, Paul served in this independent fashion. Then he visited Cephas (Peter) in Jerusalem. Peter was a leader of the church in Jerusalem, and he undoubtedly shared with Paul the firsthand accounts of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection—for fifteen days. The only other apostle Paul saw on that trip was James (vv. 18–19; see also Acts 9:26–30).

In verse 20, Paul swears the witness oath. He is telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And he is imploring his readers to believe this testimony. From Jerusalem, Paul went to Syria and Cilicia (the location of Tarsus, where Paul was from) and enjoyed a fruitful gospel ministry, so much so that the churches throughout Judea heard about it and rejoiced (vv. 23–24).