Galatians 1:18-2:14

Paul Called by God

18 Then g after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James h the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, i before God, I do not lie!) 21 j Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to k the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, "He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God because of me.

Galatians 2

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those l who seemed influential) the gospel that m I proclaim among the Gentiles, n in order to make sure I was not running or had not o run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, p was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 q Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in - who r slipped in to spy out s our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, t so that they might bring us into slavery - 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that u the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those v who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; w God shows no partiality) - those, I say, who seemed influential x added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been y entrusted with z the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, v who seemed to be a pillars, perceived the b grace that was given to me, they c gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, d the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul Opposes Peter

11 But e when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him f to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, g he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing h the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their i conduct was not in step with j the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas k before them all, "If you, though a Jew, l live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

  1. Cross References
    Acts 9:22 - 23
    But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 12:46
    While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.
    Acts 12:17
    But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you
    Romans 9:1
    I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit -
  4. Cross References
    Acts 9:30
    And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
    Acts 11:25 - 26
    So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.
    Acts 13:1
    Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
  5. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:14
    For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews.
  6. Cross References
    Galatians 2:6
    And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
    Galatians 2:9
    And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
  7. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:16
    Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
  8. Cross References
    Galatians 4:11
    I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.
    1 Thessalonians 3:5
    For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
  9. Cross References
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 16:3
    Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 15:24
    Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions.
    2 Corinthians 11:26
    On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers.
    Galatians 5:12
    I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
  12. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:1
    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
    Jude 1:4
    For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
  13. Cross References
    Galatians 5:1
    For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
  14. Cross References
    Galatians 4:3
    In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world.
    Galatians 4:9
    But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
    Galatians 4:24 - 25
    Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
    2 Corinthians 11:20
    For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.
    Romans 8:15
    For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!
  15. Cross References
    Galatians 2:14
    But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?
    Galatians 4:16
    Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
    Galatians 5:7
    You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
    Titus 1:14
    Not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.
    2 John 1:1
    The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth.
  16. Cross References
    Galatians 2:2
    I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
    Galatians 2:9
    And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
    Galatians 6:3
    For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
    Acts 5:36
    For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
    1 Corinthians 3:7
    So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
  17. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:17
    For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:5
    Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
    2 Corinthians 12:11
    I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.
  19. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:4
    But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
    1 Timothy 1:11
    In accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
    1 Corinthians 9:17
    For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
  20. Cross References
    Galatians 1:16
    Was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone.
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
  21. Cross References
    Galatians 2:6
    And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) - those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.
  22. Cross References
    Jeremiah 1:18
    And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.
    Revelation 3:12
    The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
  23. Cross References
    Romans 1:5
    Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.
  24. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:15
    And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
  25. Cross References
    Acts 24:17
    Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
  26. Cross References
    Acts 15:1
    But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
    Acts 15:35
    But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
  27. Cross References
    Job 21:31
    Who declares his way to his face, and who repays him for what he has done?
  28. Cross References
    Acts 11:3
    "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
    Galatians 2:14
    But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?
    Acts 10:28
    And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
    Luke 15:2
    And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them.
  29. Cross References
    Acts 11:2
    So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying.
  30. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:13
    And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
  31. Cross References
    Galatians 2:5
    To them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
  32. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:20
    As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
  33. Cross References
    Galatians 2:12
    For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.