Galatians 1:21

Syria and Cilicia. Paul was sent away from Jerusalem because of the plot against his life (Acts 9:29, 30), the Lord having warned him in a vision to flee quickly from the city (see ch. 22:17, 18). At this time Syria and Cilicia were united under one Roman provincial administration (see The Journeys of Paul). Tarsus, Paul’s home city, was in Cilicia. The NT record passes over the next five years or so in silence (see on Acts 9:30). Supposedly Paul engaged in active ministry in Tarsus and that vicinity. Some five years later Barnabas went to Tarsus and brought Paul with him to Antioch, where they both taught for a whole year (Acts 11:25, 26).