Book & Chapter
Version

Summary

Galatians 2:1–10 – The Gospel Affirmed in Jerusalem

What happens: Paul goes to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus because of a revelation. He sets his gospel before the leaders, who add nothing to it. Titus, a Greek, is not compelled to be circumcised. They recognize Paul’s mission to the Gentiles, extend the right hand of fellowship, and ask only that he remember the poor.

What it means: The one gospel unites the church across cultures. Salvation is by grace through Christ, not by ritual. Caring for the poor shows God’s justice and love at work.


Galatians 2:11–14 – Confronting Hypocrisy at Antioch

What happens: Paul opposes Peter when he draws back from Gentile believers out of fear of certain men. Barnabas and others get carried away by the hypocrisy. Paul rebukes Peter publicly because his conduct is not in step with the truth of the gospel.

What it means: The gospel shapes behavior, not only belief. God calls His people to integrity that protects table fellowship in Christ. Unity rests on grace, not on cultural badges.


Galatians 2:15–21 – Made Right with God by Faith in Christ

What happens: Paul says a person is not made right with God by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. If righteousness were through the law, Christ died for nothing. Paul is crucified with Christ; he lives by faith in the Son of God who loved him and gave Himself for him.

What it means: God justifies by grace through faith, revealing His mercy and justice in the cross. The believer’s new life flows from union with Christ. The law cannot give life or remove guilt; Christ does.


Application

  • Guard gospel unity across cultures and classes.
  • Let your conduct match the truth you confess.
  • Live by faith in Christ, not by works that cannot save.
  • Remember the poor as a gospel fruit.

Bible

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

2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

3But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

4And 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:

5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

10Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

12For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

13And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16Knowing 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.

17But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

18For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Take Versely with you

Queue devotion plans, track progress, and unlock audio guides inside the Versely app.