Galatians — Chapter 2

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1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

1Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

2And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

3But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

5to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man`s person)-- they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:

7but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with [the gospel] of the circumcision

8(for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles);

9and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;

10only [they would] that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.

11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.

12For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.

13And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation.

14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

17But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid.

18For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

19For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God.

20I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

21I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.

1Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too.

2I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain.

3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek.

4Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves.

5But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

6But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message.

7On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised

8(for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles)

9and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

10They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do.

11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.

12Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.

13And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy.

14But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

15We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners,

16yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

17But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not!

18But if I build up again those things I once destroyed, I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God’s law.

19For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God.

20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

21I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!

1Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

2I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

3But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

4This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;

5to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.

6But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,

7but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcised

8(for he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles);

9and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.

10They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.

11But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.

12For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

13And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

15“We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,

16yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.

17But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!

18For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.

19For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.

20I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

21I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem where the pillars added nothing to his gospel, confronts Peter publicly for withdrawing from Gentile table fellowship, and declares: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."

Authorship & Background

Author: Paul (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 2 continues Paul's defense of his apostleship and Gospel. He recounts two events: the Jerusalem Council (vv.1-10) where the "pillar" apostles affirmed his Gospel, and the Antioch incident (vv.11-14) where he confronted Peter publicly for hypocrisy. The chapter climaxes with one of the most important verses in the Bible on justification (v.16) and Paul's personal testimony of union with Christ (v.20).
The Jerusalem Council (vv.1-10): Paul went to Jerusalem and presented his Gospel to the leaders — James, Peter, and John. Their verdict: they "added nothing" to his message (v.6) and gave him "the right hands of fellowship" (v.9). The Gospel Paul preached to Gentiles was the same Gospel the apostles preached to Jews.
The Antioch Incident (vv.11-14): Peter ate with Gentile believers until men from James arrived — then he withdrew, "fearing them which were of the circumcision" (v.12). Paul confronted him publicly: "I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed" (v.11). Even apostles can be wrong — and must be corrected when the Gospel is at stake.
"I Am Crucified with Christ" (v.20): Paul's personal testimony of union with Christ — one of the most quoted verses in the NT. The old Paul died with Christ; the new Paul lives by Christ's life within him. Identity, motivation, and power — all from Christ.

Map & Geography

  • Jerusalem (v.1): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.
  • Antioch (v.11): City in Syria where believers were first called Christians.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the Jerusalem meeting, the Antioch confrontation, justification by faith, and union with Christ.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "Crucified with Christ" on v.20 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 673) "I am crucified with Christ — the old Paul is dead. Nevertheless I live — but it's not the old me living. Christ liveth in me — He is my life, my motivation, my power. And the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God — who loved ME and gave Himself for ME. That is personal. That is intimate. That is everything." Sermon: "Christ Dead in Vain?" on v.21 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1401) "If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain — if you could save yourself by keeping rules, then the cross was unnecessary. Every time you try to earn God's favor through performance, you are saying 'the cross wasn't enough.' It was enough. Rest in it."

Videos

The Bible Project — Galatians Overview

Animated overview of the book's literary structure, themes, and theological message. Excellent visual introduction. (Approx. 8 minutes)

Reflection

  • 1. Paul confronted Peter publicly (v.11) because the Gospel was at stake. When is it appropriate to confront a leader? When the Gospel is being compromised by their behavior. Do you have the courage to speak truth to power when necessary?
  • 2. "A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ" (v.16). Are you resting in faith alone, or are you still trying to earn God's acceptance through performance? What "works" are you adding to faith?
  • 3. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (v.20). Your old self is dead. Christ is your life now. Are you living out of your old identity or your new one? What would it look like to let Christ live through you today?
  • 4. "If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" (v.21). Every attempt to earn righteousness through performance says "the cross wasn't enough." Is the cross enough for you? Or are you still trying to add to it?
  • 5. Peter knew the truth (Acts 10) but acted against it out of fear (v.12). Fear of people can make you compromise what you know is right. Where is fear of others causing you to compromise your convictions?
  • 6. Paul says justification is "not by the works of the law" — three times in
  • v.16. Why the repetition? Because we are slow to believe it. Do you truly believe that your standing before God is based entirely on faith, not works?
  • 7. "I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (v.20). Make it personal: He loved ME. He gave Himself for ME. How does personalizing the Gospel change how you relate to Christ?
  • 8. Paul "gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour" (v.5) when the Gospel was at stake. He was immovable on essentials. What are you immovable about? What hills are you willing to die on?
  • 9. The Jerusalem leaders "added nothing" to Paul's Gospel (v.6). The Gospel needs no additions — it is complete in Christ. What are people trying to add to the Gospel in your context?