Keraia
Galatians 2

Galatians 2:16

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

Translations

Modern
…know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
Traditional
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.
Literal
…are knowing now that a man is not justified by works of the law, except through faith from Jesus Christ. We also believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith from Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law not any flesh will be justified.
Latin
Scientes autem quod non justificatur homo ex operibus legis, nisi per fidem Jesu Christi: et nos in Christo Jesu credimus, ut justificemur ex fide Christi, et non ex operibus legis: propter quod ex operibus legis non justificabitur omnis caro.

Original

Greek
English
…know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

Notes

Galatians 2:16

Both Jews and non-Jews are sinners. The good news requires everyone to admit their sins (see Romans 2:1–5; 3:1–20) and seek God's grace (Romans 3:21–26). Peter later showed he agreed with this message (Acts 15:7–11).

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

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

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

Faith in Christ Faith in Jesus Faith: Through It Is: Justification Good Works: Justification Unattainable By Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Jesus Christ Justification Before God: Under the Gospel is by Faith Alone Justification Before God: Under the Gospel is not of Faith and Works United Justification Before God: Under the Gospel is not of Works Justification by Faith Justification: General Scriptures Concerning Legalism Righteousness: No Justification by Works of Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Seeking God: Includes Seeking: Justification by Christ Segregation Self Righteousness The Law The Law of God: Man Cannot be Justified By Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation