Galatians Chapter 2

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) 21 Verses

What is Galatians 2 about?

The Magna Carta of Christian liberty — justification by faith alone, not by works of the law, and freedom in the Spirit. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
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.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem, etc..] That is, either after it pleased God to call him by his grace, and reveal his Son in him; or rather after he had been at Jerusalem to see Peter, with whom he stayed fifteen days, and then went into Syria and Cilicia; so that it was seventeen years after his conversion that he took this journey to Jerusalem he here speaks of; and he seems to refer to the time when he and Barnabas went from the church at Antioch to the apostles and elders about the question, whether circumcision was necessary to salvation, (<441501>Acts 15:1,2) which entirely agrees…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“HIS CO-ORDINATE AUTHORITY AS APOSTLE OF THE CIRCUMCISION RECOGNIZED BY THE APOSTLES. PROVED BY HIS REBUKING PETER FOR TEMPORIZING AT ANTIOCH: HIS REASONING AS TO THE INCONSISTENCY OF JUDAIZING WITH JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. (Gal. 2:1-21) Translate, "After fourteen years"; namely, from Paul's conversion inclusive [ALFORD]. In the fourteenth year from his conversion [BIRKS]. The same visit to Jerusalem as in Act 15:1-4 (A.D. 50), when the council of the apostles and Church decided that Gentile Christians need not be circumcised. His omitting allusion to that decree is; (1) Because his design here is to show the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Then fourteen years after - That is, 14 years after his first visit there subsequent to his conversion. Some commentators, however, suppose that the date of the fourteen years is to be reckoned from his conversion. But the more obvious construction is, to refer it to the time of his visit there, as recorded in the previous chapter; Galatians 2:18. This time was spent in Asia Minor chiefly in preaching the gospel. I went up again to Jerusalem - It is commonly supposed that Paul here refers to the visit which he made as recorded in Acts 15:0. The circumstances mentioned are substantially the same; and the object…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Then fourteen years after - My first journey thither. I went up again to Jerusalem - This seems to be the journey mentioned Act 15:2; several passages here referring to that great council, wherein all the apostles showed that they were of the same judgment with him. Galatians 2:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“2:1-10 During Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem, the other apostles affirmed his message. Traditionally, this passage has been seen as a description of the church council (Acts 15:1-41), but it is much more likely that Paul was talking about his previous visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30; 12:25; see Galatians Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”). 2:1 Counting fourteen years from Paul’s conversion (1:15-17), instead of from his previous visit (1:18), fits well with Acts. • That Barnabas was familiar to the Galatians suggests that the Galatians were evangelized during the first missionary journey (Acts 13:4–14:26; see…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“fourteen: Gal 1:18 I went: Act 15:2-4 Barnabas: Gal 2:13; Act 4:36, Act 4:37, Act 11:25, Act 11:30, Act 12:25, Act 13:2, Act 13:50, Act 14:12, Act 15:25, Act 15:36-39; Co1 9:6; Col 4:10 Titus: Gal 2:3; Co2 8:16, Co2 8:23; Tit 1:4 Galatians 2:2”
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