2:1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.
2:2 ①It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be running, or had run, in vain.
▷ ①Lit according to revelation I went up
2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
2:4 Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
2:5 But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
2:6 But from those who ①were of considerable repute (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me.
▷ ①Lit reputed as being something
2:7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel ①to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been ②to the circumcised
▷ ①Lit of the uncircumcision; i.e., to Gentiles ②Lit of the circumcision; i.e., to Jews
2:8 (for He who was at work for Peter in his apostleship ①to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles),
▷ ①See note 2 v 7
2:9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, ①James and ②Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right ③hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
▷ ①Or Jacob ②I.e., Peter ③Lit hands
2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.
2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he ①stood condemned.
▷ ①Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
2:12 For prior to the coming of some men from ①James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision.
▷ ①Or Jacob
2:13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
2:14 But when I saw that they were not ①straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? ②
▷ ①Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly ②Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
2:15 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles;
2:16 nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of ①the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of ②the Law; since by works of ③the Law no ④flesh will be justified.
▷ ①Or law ②Or law ③Or law ④Or mortal man
2:17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? ①Far from it!
▷ ①Lit May it never happen!
2:18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a wrongdoer.
2:19 For through ①the Law I died to ②the Law, so that I might live for God.
▷ ①Or law ②Or law
2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and ①the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
▷ ①Or insofar as I
2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through ①the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
▷ ①Or law