Keraia
Galatians 2

Galatians 2:4

The Council at Jerusalem · Galatians 2:1–10
Read Galatians 2

Translations

Modern
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
Traditional
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:
Literal
…even because of the false brothers introduced stealthily, who came in stealthily to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they will enslave us,
Latin
…sed propter subintroductos falsos fratres, qui subintroierunt explorare libertatem nostram, quam habemus in Christo Jesu, ut nos in servitutem redigerent.

Original

Greek
English
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.

Notes

Galatians 2:4

  • Paul called some supposed believers false, saying they were not Christians. They did not understand or truly accept the good news about Jesus, unlike the apostles in Jerusalem (2:3).

  • had come in under false pretenses: Paul suggests that a larger group of Jewish "Christians" opposed his preaching (see Acts 15:5) and supported the false teachers who joined the church.

  • Requiring non-Jewish Christians to follow Jewish law would trap them in rules and deny the good news of Jesus (see Galatians 3:23–4:11).

Galatians 2:4–5

The false Christians entered the church in either Jerusalem or Antioch to weaken Paul's message. He taught that non-Jews (Gentiles) do not have to obey Jewish practices like circumcision.

Galatians 2:1–10

When Paul visited Jerusalem for the second time, the other apostles agreed that what he was teaching was correct. According to tradition, Paul was writing about the important meeting of church leaders described in Acts 15:1–41. However, it is more likely that Paul was talking about his earlier visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:30; 12:25; see Galatians Book Introduction, "Date of Writing").

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.

Parallels

Acts 15:5–21

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Antioch of Syria Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Bond, Bondage Chronology of the Bible (New Testament) Faith Freedom, Liberty Judaizers Letter to the Galatians Paul the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Titus, Letter to

Topics

Barnabas is Sent As an Emissary to Jerusalem Bigotry in Regard to Circumcision Christian Liberty: False Teachers: Try to Destroy Christian Minister: Preach Without Authority Circumcision: Abrogated Circumcision: Necessity of, Denied by Paul Heresy: Teachers of, Among Early Christians Law: Temporary Spies in the Congregation of Galatia