GALATIANS

 

Galatians Chapter 2

1 ¶ Then fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.

2 Moreover, I went because of a revelation, and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, to make certain that I was not running, or had run, in vain.

3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was required to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek:

4 But this came up because some false brethren were brought in without our knowledge, the sort that sneak in to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage (of the law):

5 But we did not give in to them, even for a minute; so that the truth of the gospel might continue on for you.

6 As for those who seemed to be important, (what they were makes no difference to me: God shows no partiality:) they added nothing to my message:

7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, even as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised;

8 (For God who worked effectively through Peter as an apostle to the Jews was also working through me in regard to the Gentiles:)

9 And upon recognizing the grace that was given to me, James, Peter, and John, who were regarded as pillars of the church, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship; with the understanding that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcised.

10 They only asked us to remember the poor; which I was also eager to do.

11 ¶ But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was doing wrong.

12 For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles: but once they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

13 And the other Jews followed his bad example; so much so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not doing what was right in regard to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of all, If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile, and not as a Jew, why do you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?

15 We are by nature Jews, and not sinners from among the Gentiles,

16 Yet having come to know that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, we have also come to believe in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: for the works of the law will not make anyone righteous.

17 But if, while seeking to be justified by Christ, we are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a party to our sin? Absolutely not.

18 For if I rebuild the very things that I tore down, I make myself a transgressor.

19 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God.

20 I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, 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.

21 I do not nullify the grace of God: for if the law could make us righteous, then Christ died for nothing.