Galatians

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Galatians 2

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Fourteen years later Paul goes up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus, and the leaders, "James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars," give them "the right hands of fellowship," while Titus, "being a Greek," is not compelled to be circumcised. At Antioch Paul withstands Peter "to the face," because Peter had eaten with the Gentiles but withdrew when "certain came from James," fearing those of the circumcision. Paul states the heart of the gospel: "a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ," and "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Galatians 2:1Galatians 2:3Galatians 2:9Galatians 2:11Galatians 2:12Galatians 2:16Galatians 2:20

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

Paul, Barnabas and Titus; "false brethren unawares brought in"; James, Cephas and John, "who seemed to be pillars"; Peter, whom Paul withstood at Antioch; and "certain" who "came from James." Galatians 2:1Galatians 2:4Galatians 2:9Galatians 2:11Galatians 2:12Galatians overview

Where

Jerusalem, where Paul met the leaders, and Antioch, where he withstood Peter. Galatians 2:1Galatians 2:11JerusalemAntioch 1

When

Paul says he went up again to Jerusalem "fourteen years after." The letter itself is traditionally dated about AD 48-57. Some date it about AD 48-49, before the Jerusalem council of Acts 15; others about AD 53-57, during Paul's third journey. Galatians 2:1Galatians overview

How it fits

Chapter 1 ended with the churches of Judaea glorifying God for Paul; this chapter tells of his second visit to Jerusalem. It ends "if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain," and chapter 3 opens, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you." Galatians 1:22Galatians 1:24Galatians 2:1Galatians 2:21Galatians 3:1

Key verses

Takeaway

We are made right with God by faith in Christ, not by keeping the law, so live by faith in the One who loved you and gave Himself for you. Galatians 2:16Galatians 2:20

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-31.

Fellowship with the Jerusalem leaders

1Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2And 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. 3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4And 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: 5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6But 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: 7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9And 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. 10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Paul withstands Peter at Antioch

11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12For 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. 13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also 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 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?

Justified by faith in Christ

15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16Knowing 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. 17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20I 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. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.