John Chrysostom

"Then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia." After his interview with Peter, he resumes his preaching and the task which lay before him, avoiding Judaea, both because of his mission being to the Gentiles, and of his unwillingness to "build upon another man's foundation." Wherefore there was not even a chance meeting, as appears from what follows.

Homily on Galatians 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Only for the sake of meeting with Peter having appeared in Judea, he again leaves it for the reason that he was sent to preach to the Gentiles and in order not to undertake building on another's foundation.

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Oecumenius

"into the regions of Syria." After seeing Peter, the way to the Gentiles was again kept. He says toward the regions of Syria and Cilicia; for he had been sent to those places.

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Jerome

Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. After the vision in Jerusalem, I went to Syria, which is called the exalted and lofty city. And from there I went to Cilicia, which I desired to embrace in the faith of Christ, preaching to it the call to repentance: for Cilicia in fact means assumption, or lamentable calling.

Commentary on Galatians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, "Afterwards, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia," he shows how he was approved by the other churches of Judea. Here he does three things: first he shows where he lived, namely in Cilicia. Hence he says, "then I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia," i.e., his native land. (Here he was caught up into paradise.) Because it is said in Acts (22:3): "Paul was born at Tarsus in Cilicia." Secondly, how he was known by the others, namely, not by sight but by report and reputation. …

Commentary on Galatians ↗