Keraia
Galatians 2

Galatians 2:15

Paul Confronts Cephas · Galatians 2:11–21
Read Galatians 2

Translations

Modern
We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners”
Traditional
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Literal
We by nature Jews and not “sinners of the Gentiles,”
Latin
Nos natura Judæi, et non ex gentibus peccatores.

Original

Greek
English
We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners”

Notes

Galatians 2:15

Gentiles were considered "sinners" because they did not have the law and could not obey God's commands. Paul used Jewish thinking categories (compare Matthew 15:21–28; 26:45; Luke 6:32–34; 18:9–14) with strong irony, emphasizing that everyone is sinful (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:23).

Galatians 2:14–21

  • When Peter and the other Jewish believers stopped eating with non-Jewish believers, they were sending the wrong message. Their actions suggested that believing in Jesus was not enough and that people also needed to follow Jewish laws to be truly accepted by God. Paul strongly argues against this. He explained that we are made right with God only through his kindness (grace) when we believe in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8–9).

  • We cannot tell exactly where Paul's public words to Peter end and his message to the Galatians begins (see study note on Galatians 2:16). When Paul corrected Peter, he was also correcting the Galatians (see 3:1).

Galatians 2:11–21

In Antioch, Peter and others went against their own beliefs and changed the good news about Jesus. This event is not mentioned in the book of Acts. Paul corrected Peter, showing that Paul's role as an apostle was independent of Jerusalem and true to the good news about Jesus.

Galatians 1:11–2:21

The Judaizers (people who insisted on following Jewish customs) came to Galatia. They preached that both faith and circumcision were necessary. They questioned Paul's authority as an apostle and tried to discredit his message. Paul defended his authority by showing that past events proved his message was the true good news.

Galatians 1:1–2:21

Some people were against Paul and questioned whether he was a true apostle. They did not believe he was honest and did not think he had the right to be a leader in the church. So Paul begins his letter by explaining that he really was an apostle with authority from God.

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Antioch of Syria Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Faith Gospel Letter to the Galatians Paul the Apostle

Topics

Antioch: A City of Syria: Paul and Peter's Controversy At Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To Justification Before God: Under the Gospel is not of Faith and Works United Justification: General Scriptures Concerning Segregation