Galatians 2

Last updated
Galatians 2
  chapter 1
chapter 3  
P051-Gal-1 2-10-POxy2157-IV.jpg
A page showing Galatia 1:2-10 on Papyrus 51, ca. AD 400.
Book Epistle to the Galatians
Category Pauline epistles
Christian Bible part New Testament
Order in the Christian part9

Galatians 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between 49 and 58 AD. [1] This chapter contains the meeting account of Paul, Barnabas and Christians in Jerusalem, considered "one of the most momentous events in the earliest Christianity", [2] and the dispute between Paul and Peter. [3]

Contents

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek. This chapter is divided into 21 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Conference in Jerusalem (2:1–10)

Scholars generally connect the meeting described in this part with the accounts in Acts 11:29–30 and/or Acts 15:1–29, although the details are unclear. [2]

Verse 1

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. [4]

Verse 9

and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. [5]

Incident at Antioch (2:11–14)

The disagreement between Paul and Peter recorded in this part is a contrast to their amicable meeting in Jerusalem. [3] The absence of the outcome report indicates that this issue has influenced the tensions in the Galatians churches, which is addressed in this epistle. [3]

Verse 11

Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; [9]

This serves as a summary of the confrontation between Paul and Peter, which leads to the discussion of the main issue in 2:15–21. [3]

Works of Law or Faith? (2:15–21)

In this part, Paul details the theological reasons of his dispute with Peter. [10] In verse 17 Paul uses the word 'we'/'our' to show that both he and Peter actually agreed about the justification by faith only, and based on this mutual conviction Paul confronted Peter when Peter became inconsistent. [10]

Verse 16

knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. [11]

Verse 20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. [13]

In Paul's belief, a believer 'dies to the law' through the crucifixion and death of Christ, and has the new life that is "no longer self-centered, but Christ-centered", [10] the resurrection life where the risen Christ lives in. [14]

Verse 21

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epistle to the Galatians</span> Book of the New Testament

The Epistle to the Galatians is the ninth book of the New Testament. It is a letter from Paul the Apostle to a number of Early Christian communities in Galatia. Scholars have suggested that this is either the Roman province of Galatia in southern Anatolia, or a large region defined by Galatians, an ethnic group of Celtic people in central Anatolia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James, brother of Jesus</span> Brother of Jesus according to the New Testament

James the Just, or a variation of James, brother of the Lord, was "a brother of Jesus", according to the New Testament. He was an early leader of the Jerusalem Church of the Apostolic Age. Traditionally, it is believed he was martyred in AD 62 or 69 by being stoned to death by the Pharisees on order of High Priest Ananus ben Ananus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judaizers</span> Faction of Jewish Christians

The Judaizers were a faction of the Jewish Christians, both of Jewish and non-Jewish origins, who regarded the Levitical laws of the Old Testament as still binding on all Christians. They tried to enforce Jewish circumcision upon the Gentile converts to early Christianity and were strenuously opposed and criticized for their behavior by the Apostle Paul, who employed many of his epistles to refute their doctrinal positions.

The incident at Antioch was an Apostolic Age dispute between the apostles Paul and Peter which occurred in the city of Antioch around the middle of the first century. The primary source for the incident is Paul's Epistle to the Galatians 2:11–14. Since the 19th century figure Ferdinand Christian Baur, biblical scholars have found evidence of conflict among the leaders of early Christianity; for example, James D. G. Dunn proposes that Peter was a "bridge-man" between the opposing views of Paul and James, brother of Jesus. The final outcome of the incident remains uncertain, resulting in several Christian views on the Old Covenant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul the Apostle and Jewish Christianity</span> Paul the Apostle and Jewish Christianity

Paul the Apostle has been placed within Second Temple Judaism by recent scholarship since the 1970s. A main point of departure with older scholarship is the understanding of Second Temple Judaism; the covenant with God and the role of works as a means to either gain or keep the covenant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 15</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 15 is the fifteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records Paul and Barnabas traveling to Jerusalem to attend the Council of Jerusalem and the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 9</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 9 is the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records Saul's conversion and the works of Saint Peter. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 11</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records that Saint Peter defends his visit to Cornelius in Caesarea and retells his vision prior to the meeting as well as the pouring of Holy Spirit during the meeting. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acts 13</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Acts 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas to Cyprus and Pisidia. The book containing this chapter is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirmed that Luke composed this book as well as the Gospel of Luke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Corinthians 9</span> Chapter of the New Testament

1 Corinthians 9 is the ninth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle and Sosthenes in Ephesus. Paul defends himself as an apostle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatians 1</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Galatians 1 is the first chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between 49 and 58 AD. This chapter contains Paul's significant exposition concerning the significance of God's revelation of Jesus Christ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatians 3</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Galatians 3 is the third chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between 49–58 CE. This chapter contains Paul's important argument about Abraham's faith and his 'offspring', a designation for "those belong to Jesus Christ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatians 4</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Galatians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between 49 and 58 CE. This chapter contains one of Paul's richest statements in Christology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatians 5</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Galatians 5 is the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between AD 49–58. This chapter contains a discussion about circumcision and the allegory of the "Fruit of the Holy Spirit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galatians 6</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Galatians 6 is the sixth chapter of the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle for the churches in Galatia, written between 49–58 CE. This chapter contains Paul's exhortations and also a summary of the key points in the epistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colossians 4</span> Chapter of the New Testament

Colossians 4 is the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Colossians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to have been written for the churches in Colossae and Laodicea by Apostle Paul, with Timothy as his co-author, while he was in prison in Ephesus, although there are debatable claims that it is the work of a secondary imitator, or that it was written in Rome. This chapter contains the final exhortations and greetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Thessalonians 1</span> Chapter of the New Testament

1 Thessalonians 1 is the first chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 AD for the church in Thessalonica. This chapter contains the prescript and Paul's thanksgiving for the church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Thessalonians 5</span> Chapter of the New Testament

1 Thessalonians 5 is the fifth chapter of the First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It is authored by Paul the Apostle, likely written in Corinth in about 50-51 CE for the church in Thessalonica. This chapter contains a message about Christ's second coming, and various final exhortations and greetings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Timothy 1</span> Chapter of the New Testament

2 Timothy 1 is the first chapter of the Second Epistle to Timothy in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The letter is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle, the last one written in Rome before his death, addressed to Timothy. Some scholars argue that it is the work of an anonymous follower, after Paul's death in the first century AD. This chapter contains an opening greeting, a personal story of Paul and Timothy, and a description of the opponents they are facing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James 2</span> Chapter of the New Testament

James 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle of James in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus, written in Jerusalem between 48 and 61 CE. Alternatively, some scholars argue that it is a pseudographical work written after 61 CE. This chapter contains an exposition about the commandment, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself", and about dead faith.

References

  1. Stanton 2007, pp. 1152–1153.
  2. 1 2 3 Stanton 2007, p. 1156.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Stanton 2007, p. 1157.
  4. Galatians 2:1 NKJV
  5. Galatians 2:9 NKJV
  6. 1 2 3 4 John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, - Galatians 2:9
  7. Galatians 2:9 in Greek - Biblehub.com
  8. Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 19. Cormel. Nepos, l. 2. c. 8. Gale's Court of the Gentiles, part 2. book 2, c. 6. sect. 9. & c. 9. sect. 3.
  9. Galatians 2:11 NKJV
  10. 1 2 3 Stanton 2007, p. 1158.
  11. Galatians 2:16 NKJV
  12. Note [i] on Galatians 2:16 in the NKJV
  13. Galatians 2:20 NKJV
  14. Bruce 1982, p. 144.
  15. Galatians 2:21 HCSB
  16. Bruce 1982, p. 146.

Bibliography