Galatians 2:11-21

Christian Standard Bible

Freedom from the Law

¹¹ But when Cephas^[a] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.^{[b] 12} For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. ¹³ Then the rest of the Jews^(A) joined his hypocrisy,^(B) so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas^[c] in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile^(C) and not like a Jew,^(D) how can you compel Gentiles to live^(E) like Jews?” ^[d]

¹⁵ We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” ¹⁶ and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law^(F) but by faith in Jesus Christ,^[e] even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ^[f] and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will^[g] be justified. ¹⁷ But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ,^(G) is Christ then a promoter^[h](H) of sin? Absolutely not!^{(I) 18} If I rebuild^(J) those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.^{(K) 19} For through the law I died to the law,^(L) so that I might live for God.^{(M) 20} I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.^(N) The life I now live in the body,^[i] I live by faith in the Son of God,^(O) who loved^(P) me^(Q) and gave himself^(R) for me.^{(S) 21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law,^(T) then Christ died^(U) for nothing.