The churches in Judea (literally “the churches of Judea in Christ”) refers to Christian congregations in that region. Paul states that the members of these congregations did not know him personally in order to indicate clearly that he did not work in any area where the Twelve might have assigned him or where it was possible for him to have contacts with the Twelve, but instead he started an independent mission. The members of the churches in Judea may be expressed in some languages as “the people who belonged to the various groups of believers in Judea.” On the other hand, one may use a more general expression such as “the believers in Christ who were in Judea.”

Did not know me personally may be rendered as “had not seen me,” “had not themselves seen me,” or “had not themselves met me.”

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1976. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .