Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,(A) that the gospel I preached(B) is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,(C) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation(D) from Jesus Christ.(E)

13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,(F) how intensely I persecuted the church of God(G) and tried to destroy it.(H) 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous(I) for the traditions of my fathers.(J) 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb(K) and called me(L) by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,(M) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.(N) 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.(O)

18 Then after three years,(P) I went up to Jerusalem(Q) to get acquainted with Cephas[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(R) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(S) that what I am writing you is no lie.(T)

21 Then I went to Syria(U) and Cilicia.(V) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(W) that are in Christ.(X) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(Y) he once tried to destroy.”(Z) 24 And they praised God(AA) because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem,(AB) this time with Barnabas.(AC) I took Titus(AD) along also. I went in response to a revelation(AE) and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.(AF) I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race(AG) in vain. Yet not even Titus,(AH) who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.(AI) This matter arose because some false believers(AJ) had infiltrated our ranks to spy on(AK) the freedom(AL) we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel(AM) might be preserved for you.

As for those who were held in high esteem(AN)—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism(AO)—they added nothing to my message.(AP) On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task(AQ) of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[b](AR) just as Peter(AS) had been to the circumcised.[c] For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle(AT) to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle(AU) to the Gentiles. James,(AV) Cephas[d](AW) and John, those esteemed as pillars,(AX) gave me and Barnabas(AY) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.(AZ) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,(BA) and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor,(BB) the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul Opposes Cephas

11 When Cephas(BC) came to Antioch,(BD) I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James,(BE) he used to eat with the Gentiles.(BF) But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.(BG) 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas(BH) was led astray.

14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel,(BI) I said to Cephas(BJ) in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew.(BK) How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?(BL)

15 “We who are Jews by birth(BM) and not sinful Gentiles(BN) 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law,(BO) but by faith in Jesus Christ.(BP) So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[e] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.(BQ)

17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners,(BR) doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!(BS) 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.

19 “For through the law I died to the law(BT) so that I might live for God.(BU) 20 I have been crucified with Christ(BV) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.(BW) The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,(BX) who loved me(BY) and gave himself for me.(BZ) 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,(CA) Christ died for nothing!”[f]

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
  2. Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
  3. Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
  4. Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14
  5. Galatians 2:16 Or but through the faithfulness of … justified on the basis of the faithfulness of
  6. Galatians 2:21 Some interpreters end the quotation after verse 14.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.

21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;

22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24 And they glorified God in me.

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.

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

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

12 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.

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

14 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?

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

16 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.

17 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.

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

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

20 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.

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

Paul Called by God

11 For (A)I would have you know, brothers, that (B)the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.[a] 12 (C)For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it (D)through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of (E)my former life in Judaism, how (F)I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely (G)zealous was I for (H)the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he (I)who had set me apart (J)before I was born,[b] and who (K)called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[c] me, in order (L)that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[d] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then (M)after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James (N)the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, (O)before God, I do not lie!) 21 (P)Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to (Q)the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those (R)who seemed influential) the gospel that (S)I proclaim among the Gentiles, (T)in order to make sure I was not running or had not (U)run in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, (V)was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. (W)Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who (X)slipped in to spy out (Y)our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, (Z)so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that (AA)the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. And from those (AB)who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; (AC)God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential (AD)added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been (AE)entrusted with (AF)the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, (AG)who seemed to be (AH)pillars, perceived the (AI)grace that was given to me, they (AJ)gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, (AK)the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul Opposes Peter

11 But (AL)when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him (AM)to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, (AN)he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing (AO)the circumcision party.[e] 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their (AP)conduct was not in step with (AQ)the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas (AR)before them all, “If you, though a Jew, (AS)live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Justified by Faith

15 We ourselves are Jews by birth and not (AT)Gentile sinners; 16 yet we know that (AU)a person is not justified[f] by works of the law (AV)but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, (AW)because by works of the law no one will be justified.

17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found (AX)to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the law I (AY)died to the law, so that I might (AZ)live to God. 20 I have been (BA)crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives (BB)in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, (BC)who loved me and (BD)gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for (BE)if righteousness[g] were through the law, (BF)then Christ died for no purpose.

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:11 Greek not according to man
  2. Galatians 1:15 Greek set me apart from my mother's womb
  3. Galatians 1:16 Greek in
  4. Galatians 1:16 Greek with flesh and blood
  5. Galatians 2:12 Or fearing those of the circumcision
  6. Galatians 2:16 Or counted righteous (three times in verse 16); also verse 17
  7. Galatians 2:21 Or justification

Call to Apostleship(A)

11 (B)But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For (C)I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came (D)through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how (E)I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and (F)tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, (G)being more exceedingly zealous (H)for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, (I)who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 (J)to reveal His Son in me, that (K)I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with (L)flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Contacts at Jerusalem(M)

18 Then after three years (N)I went up to Jerusalem to see [a]Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But (O)I saw none of the other apostles except (P)James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21 (Q)Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which (R)were in Christ. 23 But they were (S)hearing only, “He who formerly (T)persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they (U)glorified God in me.

Defending the Gospel(V)

Then after fourteen years (W)I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. And I went up [b]by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but (X)privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means (Y)I might run, or had run, in vain. Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of (Z)false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our (AA)liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, (AB)that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that (AC)the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

But from those (AD)who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; (AE)God [c]shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something (AF)added nothing to me. But on the contrary, (AG)when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised (AH)had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the (AI)circumcised (AJ)also (AK)worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), and when James, [d]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be (AL)pillars, perceived (AM)the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, (AN)that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, (AO)the very thing which I also was eager to do.

No Return to the Law

11 (AP)Now when [e]Peter had come to Antioch, I [f]withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, (AQ)he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing [g]those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about (AR)the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter (AS)before them all, (AT)“If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, [h]why do you compel Gentiles to live as [i]Jews? 15 (AU)We who are Jews by nature, and not (AV)sinners of the Gentiles, 16 (AW)knowing that a man is not [j]justified by the works of the law but (AX)by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not (AY)by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found (AZ)sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I (BA)through the law (BB)died to the law that I might (BC)live to God. 20 I have been (BD)crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh (BE)I live by faith in the Son of God, (BF)who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for (BG)if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died [k]in vain.”

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:18 NU Cephas
  2. Galatians 2:2 because of
  3. Galatians 2:6 Lit. does not receive the face of a man
  4. Galatians 2:9 Peter
  5. Galatians 2:11 NU Cephas
  6. Galatians 2:11 opposed
  7. Galatians 2:12 Jewish Christians
  8. Galatians 2:14 NU how can you
  9. Galatians 2:14 Some interpreters stop the quotation here.
  10. Galatians 2:16 declared righteous
  11. Galatians 2:21 for nothing

Paul Defends His Ministry

11 For (A)I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is (B)not [a]of human invention. 12 For (C)I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a (D)revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of (E)my former way of life in Judaism, how I (F)used to persecute (G)the church of God beyond measure and (H)tried to destroy it; 14 and I (I)was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my [b]countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my (J)ancestral traditions. 15 But when [c]He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and (K)called me through His grace was pleased 16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might (L)preach Him among the Gentiles, (M)I did not immediately consult with [d](N)flesh and blood, 17 (O)nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to (P)Damascus.

18 Then (Q)three years later I went up (R)to Jerusalem to [e]become acquainted with [f](S)Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see another one of the apostles except [g](T)James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now in what I am writing to you, [h]I assure you (U)before God that I am not lying.) 21 Then (V)I went into the regions of (W)Syria and (X)Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by [i]sight to (Y)the churches of Judea which are (Z)in Christ; 23 but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching (AA)the faith which he once (AB)tried to destroy.” 24 And they (AC)were glorifying God [j]because of me.

The Council at Jerusalem

Then after an interval of fourteen years I (AD)went up again to Jerusalem with (AE)Barnabas, taking (AF)Titus along also. [k]It was because of a (AG)revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the (AH)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 (AI)running, or had run, in vain. But not even (AJ)Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was (AK)compelled to be circumcised. Yet it was a concern because of the (AL)false brothers secretly brought in, who (AM)had sneaked in to spy on our (AN)freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to (AO)enslave us. But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that (AP)the truth of the gospel would remain with you. But from those who [l]were of considerable (AQ)repute (what they were makes no difference to me; (AR)God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been (AS)entrusted with the (AT)gospel [m]to the uncircumcised, just as (AU)Peter had been [n]to the circumcised (for He who was at work for Peter in his (AV)apostleship [o]to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing (AW)the grace that had been given to me, [p](AX)James and [q](AY)Cephas and John, who were (AZ)reputed to be (BA)pillars, gave to me and (BB)Barnabas the (BC)right [r]hand of fellowship, so that we might (BD)go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—(BE)the very thing I also was eager to do.

Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

11 But when (BF)Cephas came to (BG)Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [s]stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of some men from [t](BH)James, he used to (BI)eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, (BJ)fearing those from the circumcision. 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even (BK)Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they (BL)were not [u]straightforward about (BM)the truth of the gospel, I said to (BN)Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, (BO)live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?[v]

15 “We are (BP)Jews by nature and not (BQ)sinners from the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless, knowing that (BR)a person is not justified by works of [w]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by (BS)faith in Christ and not by works of [x]the Law; since (BT)by works of [y]the Law no [z]flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found (BU)sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? [aa](BV)Far from it! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I (BW)prove myself to be a wrongdoer. 19 For through [ab]the Law I (BX)died to [ac]the Law, so that I might live for God. 20 I have been (BY)crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but (BZ)Christ lives in me; and [ad]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (CA)the Son of God, who (CB)loved me and (CC)gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for (CD)if righteousness comes through [ae]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Footnotes

  1. Galatians 1:11 Lit according to man
  2. Galatians 1:14 Lit race
  3. Galatians 1:15 One early ms God who
  4. Galatians 1:16 I.e., people
  5. Galatians 1:18 Or visit
  6. Galatians 1:18 I.e., Peter
  7. Galatians 1:19 Or Jacob
  8. Galatians 1:20 Lit behold before God
  9. Galatians 1:22 Lit face
  10. Galatians 1:24 Lit in me
  11. Galatians 2:2 Lit according to revelation I went up
  12. Galatians 2:6 Lit reputed as being something
  13. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the uncircumcision; i.e., to Gentiles
  14. Galatians 2:7 Lit of the circumcision; i.e., to Jews
  15. Galatians 2:8 See note 2 v 7
  16. Galatians 2:9 Or Jacob
  17. Galatians 2:9 I.e., Peter
  18. Galatians 2:9 Lit hands
  19. Galatians 2:11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
  20. Galatians 2:12 Or Jacob
  21. Galatians 2:14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
  22. Galatians 2:14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
  23. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  24. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  25. Galatians 2:16 Or law
  26. Galatians 2:16 Or mortal man
  27. Galatians 2:17 Lit May it never happen!
  28. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  29. Galatians 2:19 Or law
  30. Galatians 2:20 Or insofar as I
  31. Galatians 2:21 Or law