1 Then after a lapse of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with [me]; 2 and I went up according to revelation, and I laid before them the glad tidings which I preach among the nations, but privately to those conspicuous [among them], lest in any way I run or had run in vain; 3 (but neither was Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised;) 4 and [it was] on account of the false brethren brought in surreptitiously, who came in surreptitiously to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5 to whom we yielded in subjection not even for an hour, that the truth of the glad tidings might remain with you. 6 But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat — whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me: God does not accept man's person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing; 7 but, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision, 8 (for he that wrought in Peter for [the] apostleship of the circumcision wrought also in me towards the Gentiles,) 9 and recognising the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were conspicuous as being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas [the] right hands of fellowship, that we [should go] to the nations, and they to the circumcision; 10 only that we should remember the poor, which same thing also I was diligent to do. 11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to [the] face, because he was to be condemned: 12 for before that certain came from James, he ate with [those of] the nations; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those of [the] circumcision; 13 and the rest of the Jews also played the same dissembling part with him; so that even Barnabas was carried away too by their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they do not walk straightforwardly, according to the truth of the glad tidings, I said to Peter before all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as the nations and not as the Jews, how dost thou compel the nations to Judaize? 15 We, Jews by nature, and not sinners of [the] nations, 16 but knowing that a man is not justified on the principle of works of law [nor] but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified on the principle of [the] faith of Christ; and not of works of law; because on the principle of works of law no flesh shall be justified. 17 Now if in seeking to be justified in Christ we also have been found sinners, then [is] Christ minister of sin? Far be the thought. 18 For if the things I have thrown down, these I build again, I constitute myself a transgressor. 19 For I, through law, have died to law, that I may live to God. 20 I am crucified with Christ, and no longer live, I, but Christ lives in me; but [in] that I now live in flesh, I live by faith, the [faith] of the Son of God, who has loved me and given himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness [is] by law, then Christ has died for nothing.
Galatians 2 Darby Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Titus
A Greek coworker of Paul, not compelled to be circumcised, who carried Paul's letters to Corinth, and whom Paul left in Crete to set things in order.
Cited in the guide: 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Galatians 2:3
Places
Antioch (Syrian)
The empire's third-largest city and the first major Gentile church — the launching base for Paul's journeys. (Distinct from Pisidian Antioch.)
Cited in the guide: Acts 11:26; Acts 13:1-3; Galatians 2:11
Cross references (21)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 Galatians 2:3; Acts 15:2–4; Acts 14:12; 2 Corinthians 8:16; Galatians 2:13
- 2 Galatians 2:6; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 9:26
- 3 Acts 16:3; Galatians 5:2–6; 1 Corinthians 9:20–21; 2 Corinthians 2:13; Acts 15:24
- 4 Galatians 5:1; Jude 4; 2 Peter 2:1–2; 1 John 4:1; Galatians 5:12–13
- 5 Galatians 4:16; Galatians 2:14; Colossians 2:4–8; Colossians 1:5; Jude 3
- 6 Galatians 2:2; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; 2 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Corinthians 11:5
- 7 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Acts 9:15; 1 Timothy 2:7; Galatians 1:16; Acts 13:46–48
- 8 Acts 22:21; Acts 9:15; Acts 15:12; Acts 2:14–41; Acts 21:19
- 9 Romans 12:3; Revelation 3:12; Ephesians 3:8; Galatians 2:2; Acts 15:22–30
- 10 1 John 3:17; Hebrews 13:16; Acts 24:17; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2
- 11 1 Timothy 5:20; Galatians 2:14; Acts 15:1; 2 Corinthians 5:16; Galatians 2:5
- 12 Acts 10:28; Luke 15:2; Ephesians 3:6; Acts 11:2–3; Matthew 26:69–75
- 13 1 Corinthians 15:33; Hebrews 13:9; Ephesians 4:14; Ecclesiastes 10:1; Genesis 12:11–13
- 14 Acts 10:28; Galatians 2:5; Acts 15:10–11; 1 Timothy 5:20; Proverbs 2:7
- 15 Ephesians 2:3; Titus 3:3; Romans 3:9; Ephesians 2:11–12; Philippians 3:4
- 16 Philippians 3:9; Psalm 143:2; Romans 3:19–28; Romans 9:30; 1 Peter 1:18–21
- 17 Romans 6:1–2; 1 John 3:8–10; 1 John 3:5; Galatians 2:15; Matthew 1:21
- 18 Galatians 4:9–12; Galatians 2:4–5; Galatians 2:12–16; Romans 14:15; Galatians 2:21
- 19 Romans 7:4; Romans 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Romans 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:15
- 20 Galatians 5:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans 6:4–6; Colossians 3:3–4; 2 Corinthians 4:10–11
- 21 Romans 11:6; Galatians 3:21; Hebrews 7:11; 1 Corinthians 15:14; Galatians 2:16
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… that Paul alone knew the truth, and that to him the mystery was manifested by revelation, let Paul himself convict them, when he says, that one and the same God wrought in Peter for the apostolate of the circumcision, and in himself for the Gentiles. Peter, therefore, was an apostle of that very God whose was also Paul; and Him …
… the Son is the work of the Father, since it is written, "Who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all;" and that the Passion of the Son was His own work also, "Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." The Father delivered up the Son, and the Son delivered up Himself.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)
"For He that wrought effectually in Peter," it is said, "to the apostleship of the circumcision, was mighty also in me towards the Gentiles." For since on seeing the Son, they were wroth and slew Him, He bids them again by His servants.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
But I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that Gospel which I preached among the Gentiles." And again he says, "For an hour we did give place to subjection, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." If, then, any one shall, from the Acts of the Apostles, carefully scrutinize the time concerning which it is …
But the Apostle says, "If righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain." What the Apostle says of the Law, that say we of nature to these men.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6 (1888)