Galatians 2
New American Standard Bible
The Council at Jerusalem
2 Then after an interval of fourteen years I (A)went up again to Jerusalem with (B)Barnabas, taking (C)Titus along also. 2 [a]It was because of a (D)revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the (E)gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be (F)running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even (G)Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was (H)compelled to be circumcised. 4 Yet it was a concern because of the (I)false brothers secretly brought in, who (J)had sneaked in to spy on our (K)freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to (L)enslave us. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that (M)the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who [b]were of considerable (N)repute (what they were makes no difference to me; (O)God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been (P)entrusted with the (Q)gospel [c]to the uncircumcised, just as (R)Peter had been [d]to the circumcised 8 (for He who was at work for Peter in his (S)apostleship [e]to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing (T)the grace that had been given to me, [f](U)James and [g](V)Cephas and John, who were (W)reputed to be (X)pillars, gave to me and (Y)Barnabas the (Z)right [h]hand of fellowship, so that we might (AA)go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—(AB)the very thing I also was eager to do.
Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul
11 But when (AC)Cephas came to (AD)Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [i]stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from [j](AE)James, he used to (AF)eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, (AG)fearing those from the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even (AH)Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they (AI)were not [k]straightforward about (AJ)the truth of the gospel, I said to (AK)Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, (AL)live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?[l]
15 “We are (AM)Jews by nature and not (AN)sinners from the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless, knowing that (AO)a person is not justified by works of [m]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by (AP)faith in Christ and not by works of [n]the Law; since (AQ)by works of [o]the Law no [p]flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found (AR)sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? [q](AS)Far from it! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I (AT)prove myself to be a wrongdoer. 19 For through [r]the Law I (AU)died to [s]the Law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been (AV)crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but (AW)Christ lives in me; and [t]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (AX)the Son of God, who (AY)loved me and (AZ)gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for (BA)if righteousness comes through [u]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Footnotes
- Galatians 2:2 Lit according to revelation I went up
- Galatians 2:6 Lit reputed as being something
- Galatians 2:7 Lit of the uncircumcision; i.e., to Gentiles
- Galatians 2:7 Lit of the circumcision; i.e., to Jews
- Galatians 2:8 See note 2 v 7
- Galatians 2:9 Or Jacob
- Galatians 2:9 I.e., Peter
- Galatians 2:9 Lit hands
- Galatians 2:11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
- Galatians 2:12 Or Jacob
- Galatians 2:14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
- Galatians 2:14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
- Galatians 2:16 Or law
- Galatians 2:16 Or law
- Galatians 2:16 Or law
- Galatians 2:16 Or mortal man
- Galatians 2:17 Lit May it never happen!
- Galatians 2:19 Or law
- Galatians 2:19 Or law
- Galatians 2:20 Or insofar as I
- Galatians 2:21 Or law
Galatians 2
The Voice
2 1-2 As a result of a revelation, I returned to Jerusalem 14 years later; and this time Barnabas and Titus accompanied me. When I arrived, I shared the exact gospel that I preach to the outsiders. I first shared God’s truth privately with those who were people of influence and leadership because I thought if they did not embrace the freedom of my good news, then any work I had done for Jesus here and any in the past would be spoiled.
One of the great stories in the Bible is the transformation of Saul, the Pharisee, from a persecutor of the church to the greatest missionary that history has ever witnessed. Seldom does Paul relate that story in his letters. He doesn’t need to because he usually does that in person when he is planting a church. But on this occasion, as he defends his call and the gospel, he retells a bit of his personal history to underscore the complete metamorphosis that has taken place in his life. In his former life, Paul admits—quite painfully, no doubt—that he tried to destroy this movement. Borrowing language from the prophets, Paul narrates how God unveiled to him the truth about Jesus. At just the right moment, even while Paul was an active enemy, God revealed His Son to Paul and called him to be heaven’s emissary to the nations. Paul immediately stopped his campaign against the church, which was just beginning to emerge from its Jewish roots and spread to the Gentile nations.
3 Listen carefully. None of the Jerusalem leaders insisted that Titus be circumcised, although he is Greek. 4 Some people who were pretending to be our brothers and sisters were brought in to spy on the freedom we enjoy in the Anointed One, Jesus—their agenda was clear: they wanted to enslave us. 5 But we didn’t give in to them. We didn’t entertain their thoughts for a minute! We resisted them so the true gospel—and not some counterfeit—would continue to be available to you.
6 It makes no difference to me (or to God for that matter) if people have power or influence. God doesn’t choose favorites among His children. Even the so-called pillars of the church didn’t contribute anything new to my understanding of the good news. 7 But it quickly became obvious to them what God was doing: He had entrusted me to carry the good news to the uncircumcised, just as Peter was called to preach to those who were circumcised. 8 God was at work in the ministry of Peter, as emissary[a] to the Jews, and was also moving and working with me in my ministry to the outsider nations.
9 When James, Cephas (whom you know as Peter), and John—three men purported to be pillars among the Jewish believers—saw that God’s favor was upon me to fulfill this calling, they welcomed and endorsed[b] both Barnabas and me. They agreed that our ministries would work as two hands, theirs advancing the mission of God among the Jews and ours toward the outsider nations, all with the same message of redemption. 10 In parting, they requested we always remember to care for the poor among us, which was something I was eager to do.
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, there was a problem. I got in his face and exposed him in front of everyone. He was clearly wrong. 12 Here’s what was going on: before certain people from James arrived, Cephas used to share meals with the Gentile outsiders. And then, after they showed up, Cephas suddenly became aloof and distanced himself from the outsiders because he was afraid of those believers who thought circumcision was necessary.
Since Christianity arises from Judaism, some traveling preachers from Jerusalem think that Jewish believers must remain true to Jewish rules regarding circumcision, Sabbath observance, and kosher food. If they rigorously follow the food rules, then Jewish believers are not supposed to share a meal with “unclean” Gentile outsiders, as Peter has been doing in Antioch. They advocate that Gentile outsiders need to follow Jewish ways and practices to become full members of the family of God. Paul—and the Jerusalem council (Acts 15)—strongly reject this. The apostle argues that it is only the faithfulness of Jesus and the presence of the Spirit that serve as the foundation of the new covenant and as the entrance into the people of God.
13 The rest of the Jewish believers followed his lead, including Barnabas! Their hypocritical behavior was so obvious— 14 their actions were not at all consistent with everything the good news of our Lord represents. So I approached Cephas and told him in plain sight of everyone: “If you, a Jew, have lived like the Gentile outsiders and not like the Jews, then how can you turn around and urge the outsiders to start living like Jews?” 15 We are natural-born Jews, not sinners from the godless nations. 16 But we know that no one is made right with God by meeting the demands of the law. It is only through the faithfulness of Jesus[c] the Anointed that salvation is even possible. This is why we put faith in Jesus the Anointed: so we will be put right with God. It’s His faithfulness—not works prescribed by the law—that puts us in right standing with God because no one will be acquitted and declared “right” for doing what the law demands. 17 Even though we are seeking a right relationship with God through the Anointed, the fact is we have been found out. We are sinners. But does that mean the Anointed is the one responsible for our sins? Absolutely not! 18 If I reconstruct something I have worked so hard to destroy, then I prove myself a sinner.
So why all this personal history? Paul thinks it is useful because the people preaching the false gospel in Galatia claim to be operating under the authority of some of the followers of Jesus from Jerusalem, the mother church. Paul doesn’t have their pedigree and, according to them, doesn’t deserve the rank he claims as the emissary to the nations. They say that not only is Paul deficient, but his message is, too, because it doesn’t bring outsiders to follow the law. So Paul goes toe-to-toe with them, defending not only his call but also his message. The good news he preaches comes directly from the risen Jesus and is confirmed by the Jerusalem leaders.
19 The law has provided the means to end my dependence on it for righteousness, and so I died to the law. Now I have found the freedom to truly live for God. 20 I have been crucified with the Anointed One—I am no longer alive—but the Anointed is living in me; and whatever life I have left in this failing body I live by the faithfulness of God’s Son, the One who loves me and gave His body on the cross for me. 21 I can’t dismiss God’s grace, and I won’t. If being right with God depends on how we measure up to the law, then the Anointed’s sacrifice on the cross was the most tragic waste in all of history!
Galatians 2
New Life Version
The Church Leaders in Jerusalem Say Paul Is a True Missionary
2 Fourteen years later I went again to Jerusalem. This time I took Barnabas. Titus went with us also. 2 God showed me in a special way I should go. I spoke to them about the Good News that I preach among the people who are not Jews. First of all, I talked alone to the important church leaders. I wanted them to know what I was preaching. I did not want that which I was doing or would be doing to be wasted.
3 Titus was with me. Even being a Greek, he did not have to go through the religious act of becoming a Jew. 4 Some men who called themselves Christians asked about this. They got in our meeting without being asked. They came there to find out how free we are who belong to Christ. They tried to get us to be chained to the Law. 5 But we did not listen to them or do what they wanted us to do so the truth of the Good News might be yours.
6 Those who seemed to be important church leaders did not help me. They did not teach me anything new. What they were, I do not care. God looks on us all as being the same. 7 Anyway, they saw how I had been given the work of preaching the Good News to the people who are not Jews, as Peter had been given the work of preaching the Good News to the Jews. 8 For God helped Peter work with the Jews. He also helped me work with those who are not Jews. 9 James and Peter and John were thought of as being the head church leaders. They could see that God’s loving-favor had been given to me. Barnabas and I were joined together with them by shaking hands. Then we were sent off to work with the people who are not Jews. They were to work with the Jews. 10 They asked us to do only one thing. We were to remember to help poor people. I think this is important also.
11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to stand up against him because he was guilty. 12 Peter had been eating with the people who are not Jews. But after some men came who had been with James, he kept away from them. He was afraid of those who believe in the religious act of becoming a Jew. 13 Then the rest of the Jews followed him because they were afraid to do what they knew they should do. Even Barnabas was fooled by those who pretended to be someone they were not. 14 When I saw they were not honest about the truth of the Good News, I spoke to Peter in front of them all. I said, “If you are a Jew, but live like the people who are not Jews, why do you make the people who are not Jews live like the Jews?” 15 You and I were born Jews. We were not sinners from among the people who are not Jews. 16 Even so, we know we cannot become right with God by obeying the Law. A man is made right with God by putting his trust in Jesus Christ. For that reason, we have put our trust in Jesus Christ also. We have been made right with God because of our faith in Christ and not by obeying the Law. No man can be made right with God by obeying the Law. 17 As we try to become right with God by what Christ has done for us, what if we find we are sinners also? Does that mean Christ makes us sinners? No! Never! 18 But if I work toward being made right with God by keeping the Law, then I make myself a sinner. 19 The Law has no power over me. I am dead to the Law. Now I can live for God. 20 I have been put up on the cross to die with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. The life I now live in this body, I live by putting my trust in the Son of God. He was the One Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I say that we are not to put aside the loving-favor of God. If we could be made right with God by keeping the Law, then Christ died for nothing.
Gálatas 2
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Los apóstoles respaldan a Pablo
2 Entonces, después de catorce años, subí otra vez a Jerusalén con Bernabé(A), llevando también a Tito(B). 2 Subí por causa de una revelación(C) y les presenté el evangelio(D) que predico entre los gentiles, pero lo hice en privado a los que tenían alta reputación, para asegurarme de que no corría ni[a] había corrido en vano(E). 3 Pero ni aun Tito(F), que estaba conmigo, fue obligado a circuncidarse(G), aunque era griego.
4 Y esto fue por causa de los falsos hermanos(H) introducidos secretamente, que se habían infiltrado(I) para espiar la[b] libertad que tenemos en Cristo Jesús(J), a fin de someternos a esclavitud(K), 5 a los cuales ni por un momento[c] cedimos, para no someternos, a fin de que la verdad del evangelio(L) permanezca con ustedes.
6 Y de aquellos que tenían reputación de ser algo(M) (lo que eran, nada me importa; Dios no hace acepción de personas[d](N)); pues bien, los que tenían reputación, nada me enseñaron. 7 Sino al contrario, vieron que se me había encomendado el evangelio(O) a los de la incircuncisión(P), así como Pedro lo había sido a los de la circuncisión(Q). 8 (Porque Aquel que obró eficazmente para con Pedro en su apostolado(R) a los de la circuncisión, también obró eficazmente para conmigo en mi apostolado a los gentiles). 9 Al reconocer la gracia que se me había dado(S), Jacobo[e](T), Pedro[f](U) y Juan, que eran considerados(V) como columnas(W), nos dieron a mí y a Bernabé(X) la diestra[g](Y) de compañerismo, para que nosotros fuéramos a los gentiles(Z) y ellos a los de la circuncisión. 10 Solo nos pidieron que nos acordáramos de los pobres(AA), lo mismo que yo estaba también deseoso de hacer.
Judíos y gentiles justificados por la fe
11 Pero cuando Pedro[h](AB) vino a Antioquía(AC), me opuse a él cara a cara, porque él era digno de ser censurado[i]. 12 Porque antes de venir algunos de parte de Jacobo[j](AD), él comía con los gentiles(AE), pero cuando aquellos vinieron, Pedro empezó a retraerse y apartarse, porque temía[k] a los de la circuncisión(AF). 13 Y el resto de los judíos se le unió en su hipocresía, de tal manera que aun Bernabé(AG) fue arrastrado por la hipocresía de ellos. 14 Pero cuando vi que no andaban con rectitud(AH) en cuanto a la verdad del evangelio(AI), dije a Pedro[l](AJ) delante de todos: «Si tú, siendo judío, vives como los gentiles(AK) y no como los judíos, ¿por qué obligas a los gentiles a vivir como judíos?
15 »Nosotros somos judíos de nacimiento[m](AL) y no pecadores(AM) de entre los gentiles. 16 Sin embargo, sabiendo que el hombre no es justificado por las obras de la ley(AN), sino mediante la fe en Cristo Jesús, también nosotros hemos creído en Cristo Jesús, para que seamos justificados por la fe(AO) en Cristo, y no por las obras de la ley. Puesto que por las obras de la ley nadie[n] será justificado(AP).
17 »Pero si buscando ser justificados en Cristo, también nosotros hemos sido hallados pecadores(AQ), ¿es Cristo, entonces, ministro de pecado? ¡De ningún modo(AR)! 18 Porque si yo reedifico lo que en otro tiempo destruí, yo mismo resulto transgresor(AS). 19 Pues mediante la ley yo morí a la ley(AT), a fin de vivir para Dios.
20 »Con Cristo he sido crucificado[o](AU), y ya no soy yo el que vive, sino que Cristo vive en mí(AV); y la vida que[p] ahora vivo en la carne, la[q] vivo por la fe en el Hijo de Dios(AW), el cual me amó(AX) y se entregó a sí mismo por mí(AY). 21 No hago nula la gracia de Dios, porque si la justicia viene por medio de la ley(AZ), entonces Cristo murió en vano[r]».
Footnotes
- Gálatas 2:2 O por temor a que corría o.
- Gálatas 2:4 Lit. nuestra.
- Gálatas 2:5 Lit. una hora.
- Gálatas 2:6 Lit. no recibe un rostro humano.
- Gálatas 2:9 O Santiago.
- Gálatas 2:9 Lit. Cefas.
- Gálatas 2:9 Lit. las diestras.
- Gálatas 2:11 Lit. Cefas.
- Gálatas 2:11 Lit. uno que estaba condenado o se había condenado a sí mismo.
- Gálatas 2:12 O Santiago.
- Gálatas 2:12 Lit. temiendo.
- Gálatas 2:14 Lit. Cefas.
- Gálatas 2:15 Lit. por naturaleza.
- Gálatas 2:16 Lit. ninguna carne.
- Gálatas 2:20 O Con Cristo estoy juntamente crucificado.
- Gálatas 2:20 O lo que.
- Gálatas 2:20 O lo.
- Gálatas 2:21 O innecesariamente.
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