Galatians 1:23

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
- King James Version

but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy."
- New American Standard Version (1995)

but they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc;
- American Standard Version (1901)

Only it came to their ears that he who at one time was cruel to us is now preaching the faith which before had been attacked by him;
- Basic English Bible

only they were hearing that he who persecuted us formerly now announces the glad tidings of the faith which formerly he ravaged:
- Darby Bible

But they had heard only, That he who persecuted us in times past, now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
- Webster's Bible

They only heard it said, "He who was once our persecutor is now telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made havoc."
- Weymouth Bible

but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."
- World English Bible

that he that pursuede vs sum tyme, prechide now the feith, ayens which he fauyte sum tyme;
- Wycliffe Bible

and only they were hearing, that `he who is persecuting us then, doth now proclaim good news -- the faith that then he was wasting;'
- Youngs Literal Bible

People's Bible Notes for Galatians 1:23

Ga 1:23 They had heard. Rather, "they kept hearing". That he was busy planting churches in Syria and Cilicia at this time we know from the fact that we find them in existence soon after (Ac 15:41). The faith. In the study of this Letter, it is well to keep in mind that the term "faith" is used by Paul often in a sense that means more than the act of belief. When it is put in contrast with the law, it is used in the sense of "The Faith", that is, The Gospel. It comprehends what is believed, believing, and the results of believing. The fact that the apostles so often places the definite article before the word "faith", so that in the Greek he speaks of "The Faith", leaves no doubt of his meaning. It is unfortunate that the translators have obscured the meaning by omitting the article. Thus in this chapter the Greek gives the definite article before the word ("the faith") five times where it is omitted in the Common Version. The examples are Ga 3:14,23,25,26.