1:21

Syria and Cilicia: Paul seems to use the word regions in a general sense. “Syria” may simply refer to the area around Antioch, and “Cilicia,” to the area around Tarsus, where Paul grew up. (See App. B13.) After his visit to Jerusalem about 36 C.E., Paul was sent back to Tarsus, and then Barnabas brought him to Antioch about 45 C.E., where the two men preached for a whole year. (Ac 9:28-30; 11:22-26) While little is known of how Paul spent the eight or so years prior to that, he was apparently so busy in his preaching work that news of his activity reached all the way to Judea. (Ga 1:21-24) Paul’s summary of his trials and challenges, recorded at 2Co 11:23-27, mentions a number of events that are not recorded in the book of Acts. Some of those events might have taken place during this time. (See study note on 2Co 11:25.) Sometime during that period, it seems that he was granted a supernatural vision that had a profound impact on his teaching.​—2Co 12:1-4; see study notes on 2Co 12:2, 4.