BOOK 48 OF 66 · PAULINE EPISTLES · KING JAMES BIBLE

Galatians 2

Galatians book home•Chapter 2 of 6•21 verses

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Galatians 2 Overview

Paul recounts a Jerusalem meeting where Titus is not compelled to be circumcised and where the apostles recognize Paul’s gospel ministry among the Gentiles. He then describes confronting Peter at Antioch when Peter’s withdrawal from Gentiles contradicts gospel truth. Paul states plainly that a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law.

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Before you read Galatians 2

Coming from

Paul opens with astonishment that the Galatians are turning from grace to another gospel, which is not truly another. He pronounces a curse on any messenger who corrupts Christ’s gospel and explains that his message came by revelation of Jesus Christ rather than human invention.

In this chapter

Leads into

Paul asks whether the Galatians received the Spirit by works of the law or by the hearing of faith. He appeals to Abraham, Scripture’s promise that the nations would be blessed through him, and the curse borne by Christ. The law, added later because of transgressions, could not cancel the earlier promise and served as a schoolmaster until Christ.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Titus’s uncircumcised status is decisive evidence that circumcision is not required for Christian standing.

Peter’s conduct did not mean he had lost salvation; his behavior was inconsistent with the gospel he already believed.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Justification is by faith in Christ, not law works

Paul repeats the point multiple times.

Gospel truth has social consequences

Peter’s withdrawal created a false division between Jewish and Gentile believers.

Union with Christ reshapes life after justification

Paul lives by the faith of the Son of God who loved him and gave Himself for him.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Acts 15

The Jerusalem council rejects circumcision and Mosaic law-keeping as requirements for Gentile salvation.

Romans 3:28

Paul states the same doctrine: justified by faith without deeds of the law.

Philippians 3:8–9

Paul rejects his own legal righteousness in favor of righteousness through faith in Christ.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not make works the evidence required to complete justification

Paul says works of the law cannot justify.

Do not use Peter’s error to deny his apostleship or salvation

Paul rebukes a genuine apostle for inconsistent conduct.

Do not read ‘I am crucified with Christ’ as literal physical crucifixion

It describes union with Christ and a transformed basis of life.

Read Galatians 2 watching for…

Why Titus matters to the argument.

The right hands of fellowship.

Peter’s behavior at Antioch.

How many times justification by faith is stated.

The relationship between grace and Christ’s death.

Chapter outline3 sections

1-10Paul goes to Jerusalem, presents his gospel, and receives fellowship from the apostles 11-14Paul rebukes Peter at Antioch for withdrawing from Gentile believers 15-21Paul declares that a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law

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

And 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.

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

And 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:

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

But 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:

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

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

And 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.

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

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

For 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.

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

But 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?

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

Knowing 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.

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

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

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

I 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.

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

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Galatians 2:18

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