Galatians 2 (BHT-FTN)

“Not Even Titus...Was Required to Be Circumcised”

1 Fourteen years later, I went back up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and I had Titus come along, too. 2 Now, I went in obedience to+ a revelation and explained to them the gospel I proclaim among the Gentiles—in a private meeting with those regarded as important leaders, though, to make sure that my race, including my present and past work, would not somehow end up having been for nothing.+ 3 Well, not even+ Titus, even though+ he is my own close associate,+ and a Gentile+ at that, was required+ to be circumcised.

4 Now this issue arose+ because of the false brothers, who did what?+ Who wormed their way into our group,+ slipping in unnoticed so that they could spy out the freedom we have in union with Messiah Jesus, for the purpose of enslaving+ us,+ 5 to whom we did not yield or submit even+ for a moment,+ so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you. 6 As for those leaders regarded as important (however they were regarded doesn’t mean a+ thing to me; it isn’t+ outward appearances on which God bases his judgment+)—to my message those leaders advised not even+ a single change.+ 7 In fact, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of proclaiming+ the gospel to the Gentiles,+ just as Peter had been assigned to proclaim+ it to the Jews+ 8 (the one who put his power to work through Peter as an apostle to the Jews,+ you see, put his power to work through me, too, as an apostle+ to the Gentiles+); 9 when James and Kefa and John, who were regarded as pillars,+ perceived the gift that had been entrusted to me,+ they gave me and Barnabas the very+ right hand of fellowship, acknowledging us as friends and partners and agreeing+ that we should work among the Gentiles, and they themselves among the circumcised. 10 All they asked+ was that for their+ poor we continue to show concern, which was the very+ thing I also was anxious to do.+

“I Confronted Him Right in Front of the Other Believers”

11 Now when Kefa came to Antioch, I confronted him right+ in front of the other believers,+ because he did something that was clearly+ in the wrong.+ 12 Prior to the arrival of some men sent by James, you see, he had no qualms about eating with+ the Gentile believers.+ When those men+ arrived, however, he became reluctant to do so and began to separate himself, fearing criticism from those who belong to the faction strict about Gentile circumcision,+ 13 and the other Jewish believers followed his hypocritical example.+ As a result,+ even+ Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 Well, when I observed this discrepency between their actions and the truth of the gospel, I said to Kefa in front of everyone: “Given the fact+ that ˢyou, even though+ you are a Jew,+ have until just recently been+ acting not+ according to Jewish custom, but according to Gentile custom,+ how in the world+ is it that the Gentiles you are now pressuring to follow Jewish customs? 15 As for us, we are Jews by birth and not sinners from among the Gentiles.+ 16 Nevertheless, because+ we have come to realize+ that a person is held to be righteous not+ by deeds of Torah, but by the faith of Jesus the Messiah,+ even we ourselves+ have put our faith in Messiah Jesus, so that we may be held to be righteous by the faith of the Messiah+ and not by deeds of Torah. For by deeds of Torah no corrupt member of the human race+ ‘will be held to be righteous.’+”

“I Have Been Crucified with the Messiah”

17 Now if, while fervently desiring to be held to be righteous in union with the Messiah, we ourselves were also discovered to be sinners, does this mean that the Messiah encourages+ sin?+ Absolutely not! 18 If the things I tore down,+ you see, these I again begin building,+ I am proving myself to be one who disregards+ God’s instruction. 19 I, through Torah, died, you see,+ to Torah, so that I may live, now,+ in union with+ God himself.+ 20 I have been crucified with the Messiah.+ It is+ no longer I myself who live, moreover, but the Messiah who is living in me.+ The life I am now living in this lowly mortal condition+ I am living by the faith+ of the Son of God,+ who showed+ his love for me and gave his life+ for me. 21 I refuse to turn my back on the gift of God! For if it is+ through Torah that righteousness comes, then the Messiah’s death was completely+ pointless!+

+1:1IT. The idea of appointment, commissioning, and sending is implied here. Cf CJB, ISV, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+1:1ME(OTB)/IT. See note at Mt 19:26.+1:1Lit by man. ME. Cf NET, NLT.+1:3“All of” is drawn from the plural “you” here.+1:3Unless otherwise marked (through superscript—ˢyou), all second person pronouns are in the second person plural.+1:3χάρις καὶ εἰρήνη ( charis kai eirēnē) is in a split focal position (see BART Display), and thus commas and inversion have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:4Lit for sin, or on behalf of sin, or for the sake of sin. ME/IT (see BDAG, 1030, sv ὑπέρ 1.b.). In the Koine era, there was substantial overlap in meaning between ὑπὲρ ( huper) and ἀντὶ ( anti) (see Wallace, Grammar, 383-9). Representation, substitution, and benefaction are all important aspects of atonement (see, eg, Lv 16, Is 53).+1:4Cf Is 53:4-12.+1:4Cf Is 53:10.+1:6οὕτως ταχέως ( houtōs tachēōs) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an extra adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:6Or called, or invited.+1:6ἕτερον ( heteron) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and has therefore been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:7Lit which is not another, except that there are some. ME (see UBSHS [Ga], 12-13). Cf NIV. There is a significant mismatch in languages here. A transitional word is used here to “introduce a special factor which needs to be considered” ( UBSHS [Ga], 13). Cf CJB, ISV, NIV, TEV. NIV. Paul’s point here is simply that some people are causing confusion among the Galatian believers by giving them twisted and distorted teaching and calling it the gospel. The teachers apparently indentified themselves with Jesus and the Christian movement (cf 2 Co 11), which explains why they were presenting a “gospel.”+1:7τινές οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς καὶ θέλοντες μεταστρέψαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ ( tines hoi tarassontes humas kai thelontes metastrepsai to evangelion tou Christou) is in a split focal position (see BART Display). The pre-posed element has thus been rendered with “certain” for a little extra stress.+1:8ἡμεῖς ἢ ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ ( hēmeis ēx angelos ex ouranou) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an intensive pronoun, commas, and an emphatic adjective have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:8See preceding note.+1:8ἀνάθεμα ( anathema) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a dash has been used to give extra focus to this constituent within the ME (see following note).+1:8Lit let him be anathema/cursed. ME(OTB) (see BDAG, 63, sv ἀνάθεμα 2; UBSHS [Ga], 14). This is the same idea as that which is expressed in the OT when a people or city were “devoted” to the Lord for destruction (see, eg, Nu 21:3; Dt 7:26; Jsh 6:17; 7:12; Jg 1:17; Zc 14:11). In this context it is most likely referring to eternal punishment in Gehenna/hell (cf NET, NIV, TEV). Cf Mt 10:28; Rm 9:3.+1:9τις ( tis) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+1:9ἀνάθεμα ( anathema) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore a demonstrative pronoun and colon have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+1:10Lit now. ME (see ESS [Ga], 24; UBSHS [Ga], 15).+1:10ἀνθρώπους ἢ τὸν θεόν ( anthr ōpous ē ton theon) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this constituent. γὰρ ( gar) has also been used as a spacer to the same end.+1:10ME(OTB)/IT. See note at Mt 19:26.+1:10ἀνθρώποις ( anthrōpois) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:10ἀνθρώποις ( anthrōpois) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:10Χριστοῦ δοῦλος ( christou doulos) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), with Χριστοῦ ( christou) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display). Italics have been used to give extra focus and emphasis to the embedded element.+1:11Lit not according to man. ME. Cf ISV, NET, TEV.+1:12παρὰ ἀνθρώπου ( para anthrōpou) is in P2 (see BART Display), and therefore a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this element.+1:12Lit from man. ME. Cf HCSB, NET, NLT, NRSV.+1:12Lit but through revelation of Jesus the Messiah, or through a revelation of Jesus the Messiah. Though a case can be made for an objective genitive here (see, eg, NET Bible Notes, Ga 1:12), the focus of the point-counterpoint series (see LDGNT) and the immediate context (“I didn’t receive it from man, nor was I taught it [“by man” implied]) favors the genitive being interpreted as functioning in the subjective/source range (cf CJB, HCSB, NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV). Cf ESS (Ga), 29.+1:13καθ’ ὑπερβολὴν ( kath’ huperbolēn) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this element. Cf NIV.+1:13Cf Ac 9:1-3, 22:3-5, 26:9-11; Php 3:6; 1 Ti 1:12-14.+1:14Lit beyond many people of the same age in my nation. ME. Cf NIV, TEV.+1:14περισσοτέρως ζηλωτὴς τῶν πατρικῶν μου παραδόσεων ( perissoterōs zēlōtēs tōn patrikōn mou paradoseōn) is in a split focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT). The clause has been structured to give extra focus to the pre-posed element. An extra adverb has also been used to the same end. Cf ESV, RSV.+1:14Cf Mt 15:2-6; Mk 7:2-13.+1:15Or called.+1:16Or through, or in.+1:16Lit immediately I did not seek advice. ME. Cf NLT.+1:16Drawing from ANLEX (see ANLEX, 331, sv προσανατίθημι 1) and L-N (see L-N, 33.175) in translation here. Cf NET.+1:16ME(OTB)/IT. See note at Mt 19:26.+1:17πρὸ ( pro) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+1:17Lit to the apostles before me. ME (see UBSHS [Ga], 23).+1:18Following the interpretation of Phillips and the UBSHS in translation here (see UBSHS [Ga], 23).+1:18Or to get to know.+1:18That is, Simon Peter. Κηφᾶς ( kēphas) (“Cephas” in many translations) is the Aramaic surname for Simon (see L-N, 93.211). Cf CJB.+1:18IT. Cf NIV, NCV, NLT, TEV.+1:18IT. Following the lead of the UBSHS in translation here (see UBSHS [Ga], 24).+1:19ἕτερον τῶν ἀποστόλων ( heteron tōn apostolōn) is in P2 (see BART Display), and therefore δὲ ( de) has been used as spacer to give extra focus to this element.+1:20Lit The things I am writing to you, behold before God that I am not lying. ME (see UBSHS [Ga], 25). The mismatch in languages here is obvious. Cf NCV, NET.+1:22Lit I was unknown in/by the face. ME(I/F) (see BDAG, 887, sv πρόσωπον 1.b.α.) Cf HCSB, NET.+1:23Lit They were only hearing. ME. Cf NLT, TEV. μόνον ἀκούοντες ( monon akouontes) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore the ME has been structured so as to give extra focus to this element.+1:24Lit were glorifying God in me. ME. Cf ISV, REB.+2:2Here is what BDAG says about κατὰ ( kata) in this situation: “Oft. the norm is at the same time the reason, so that in accordance with and because of are merged” ( BDAG, 512, sv 5.a.δ.). Cf CJB, ESV, ISV, LEB, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV, TEV.+2:2Lit lest somehow I should run or did run in vain. ME (see UBSHS [Ga], 30). Bringing together elements from the NCV, NET, and TEV in translation here, while maintaining the imagery of “race” and “running.” I agree with the UBSHS here, namely, that an overly-literal translation can create a bit of a misimpression (ie, that Paul was concerned about the truth of his message, rather than being concerned that his work might somehow be undermined or put at risk) (see UBSHS [Ga], 30). εἰς κενὸν ( eis kenon) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+2:3οὐδὲ Τίτος ὁ σὺν ἐμοί, Ἕλλην ὤν ( oude Titos ho sun emoi, Hellēn ōn) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore adverbs, commas, and “at that” have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:3The adverbial participle (“being”) is concessive, and technically goes with “Greek.” However, the over-encoded element (“the one with me,” ie, my close associate) also has an implied counter-expectation, namely, “one would expect that a Greek would be forced to be circumcised if he was to accompany Jews such as Paul or Barnabas and to associate with Jews, especially his contacts in Jerusalem” ( UBSHS [Ga], 30). Hence, the marker of concession has been placed before both elements, to show that they are both contrary to expectation.+2:3Lit who was with me. ME. Cf CJB, NLT, TEV.+2:3Lit Greek. ME (see L-N, 11.40). Cf NLT. Ἕλλην ( hellēn) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:3ἀναγκάζω ( anankaz ō) means to “force” or “compel,” and in this context means to force in the sense of to “require” or “demand.” Cf NLT; UBSHS (Ga), 31.+2:4IT. An ellipsis is used in the Greek text. The implied idea is made clear from the context. Cf HCSB, NET, NIV.+2:4παρεισάκτους ( pareisaktous) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and thus a rhetorical question has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:4Or who were smuggled in. Cf NCV, Phps.+2:4αταδουλώσουσιν ( katadoulōsousin) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:4Cf Jn 8:31-41; Ac 15:1-35; Ga 5:1.+2:5οὐδὲ πρὸς ὥραν ( oude pros hōran) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus οὐδὲ has been rendered ascensively to give extra focus to this constituent. Cf NET, NRSV.+2:5Lit for an hour. ME. Cf ISV, NET, NIV, NLT.+2:6οὐδέν ( ouden) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been rendered with an indefinite article for extra focus.+2:6πρόσωπον ἀνθρώπου ( prosōpon anthrōpou) is in a split focal position (see BART Display), and therefore a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this element within the ME (see following note).+2:6Or God does not show partiality. God does not accept the face of a man. ME(I/F) (see L-N, 30.120; UBSHS [Ga], 35). Cf CJB, TEV.+2:6οὐδὲν ( ouden) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent within the ME (see following note). The negative particle has also been placed directly before the adverb, and the element rendered with an indefinite article, to the same end.+2:6Lit to me those who were regarded added nothing. ME (see UBSHS [Ga], 35). The verb here is the same as that used in v 1:16. Hence the use of “advise” here.+2:7IT. The task/assignment of proclaiming is implied here. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV; UBSHS (Ga), 35.+2:7Lit to the uncircumcised. ME. Cf NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:7Lit just as Peter of [to] the circumcision. ME/IT. See note at “proclaiming” in this verse.+2:7Lit to the circumcised. ME. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:8Lit for apostleship of [to] the circumcision. ME. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:8IT. Cf NCV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:8Cf Ac 15:12.+2:9στῦλοι ( stuloi) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:9Cf Rm 1:5, 12:3; 1 Co 1:10, 4:10.+2:9δεξιὰς κοινωνίας ( dexias koinōnias) is in a split focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an emphatic adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:9ME(I/F/H)/IT (see ESS [Ga], 59; FSB, Ga 2:9; JFB, 2:337; Spence, PC [Ga], 76; UBSHS [Ga], 37; Vincent, Word Studies, 4:100). These ideas are activated by “the right hand of fellowship.”+2:10Lit only. ME. Cf NIV, TEV.+2:10This is referring to the poor among the believers in Jerusalem/Judea (see ESS [Ga], 60; UBSHS [Ga], 38). Cf TEV.+2:10αὐτὸ τοῦτο ( auto touto) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an emphatic adjective has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:10Cf Ac 11:27-30; Rm 15:26-28; 1 Co 16:1-4; 2 Co 8:1-15, 9:1-15.+2:11κατὰ πρόσωπον ( kata prosōpon) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent within the ME (see following note).+2:11Lit according to face. ME(I/F) (see UBSHS [Ga], 39).+2:11κατεγνωσμένος ( kategnōsmenos) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this element within the ME (see following note). Cf CJB, NIV.+2:11Lit because he was condemned. ME. Cf CJB, ISV, NIV, NLT, TEV.+2:12συνήσθιεν ( sunēsthien) is in a DFE position (see BART Display), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:12Lit with the Gentiles. ME/IT. This is obviously referring not to all Gentiles, but to Gentile believers. Cf TEV.+2:12Lit they.+2:12Lit fearing those from the circumcision. ME(H) (see notes at Ac 10:45 and 11:2). Cf Ac 11.+2:13Lit the rest of the Jews joined in the hypocrisy. “Jews” here is clearly referring to Jewish believers. Cf CJB, NCV, NLT, TEV.+2:13ὥστε ( hōste) here is signaling result.+2:13καὶ Βαρναβᾶς ( kai Barnabas) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus καὶ ( kai) has been rendered ascensively to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:14Lit if. But in this situation, the statement is clearly not hypothetical (cf ESS [Ga], 67; UBSHS [Ga], 43).+2:14The participle has been interpreted as an adverbial participle of concession. This is reflected in the translation. Cf ESV, ISV, LEB, NET, NRSV, RSV.+2:14Ἰουδαῖος ( youdaios) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:14The context indicates the present tense here is signaling action that began at some point in the past, continued for a time, and only recently stopped (for broad-band presents functioning in this capacity, see Wallace, Grammar, 519-20). Cf TEV; UBSHS [Ga], 43.+2:14ἐθνικῶς καὶ οὐχὶ Ἰουδαϊκῶς ( ethnikōs kai ouchi youdaikōs) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore the negative particle (with “according to Jewish custom” moved forward) and commas have been used to give extra focus to this element.+2:14Lit have been living in a Gentile manner/according to Gentile custom, and not in a Jewish manner/according to Jewish custom. ME (see ANLEX, 205, sv Ἰουδαϊκῶς; BDAG, 276, sv ἐθνικῶς; ESS [Ga], 67; UBSHS [Ga], 43; Stern, JNTC, Ga 2:14). The context indicates that food/meal-related customs are primarily in view here, though some other non-Jewish customs (in context to interacting with Gentile believers) seem to be implied as well.+2:14For the rhetorical force of πῶς ( pōs) in this type of context, see BDAG, 901, sv 1.a.β-δ.+2:15\f + ἐξ ἐθνῶν ( ex ethnōn) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis. Cf Dt 4:5-8; Ps 19:8-12, 119:130; Rm 2:17-20, 3:1-2.+2:16The participle has been interpreted as an adverbial participle of cause. This is reflected in the translation.+2:16Cf CJB. Cf also Ac 10:23, 10:44-46, 11:15-18, 15:7-14.+2:16ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ( ex ergōn nomou) and διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ( dia pisteōs Yēsou Christou) are in E-O, as part of a point-counterpoint series (see LDGNT), and therefore the negative particle has been placed directly before the counterpoint to give extra focus to these constituents.+2:16Or by the faithfulness of Jesus the Messiah, or by the faith in of Jesus the Messiah.+2:16καὶ ἡμεῖς ( kai hēmeis) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore an intensive pronoun has been used to give extra focus to this constituent. καὶ has also been rendered ascensively to the same end.+2:16Or by the faithfulness of the Messiah, or by faith in the Messiah,.+2:16Lit all flesh, or any flesh, or any kind of flesh. Translating according to “Flesh” H, N (see FBT Chart). Rm 1-2 is what causes me to lean in this direction. Maintaining consistency in translation with Rm 3:20.+2:16Ps 142:2 (LXX). Ps 143:2 in the MT.+2:17διάκονος ( diakonos) is in a DFE position (see BART Display), and therefore this element within the ME (see following note) has been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:17Lit is the Messiah then a minister/servant of sin? ME (see BDAG, 230, sv διάκονος 2; NET Bible Notes, 2:17). Cf NCV, NET.+2:18Cf Rm 10:3; Php 3:4-11.+2:18οἰκοδομῶ ( oikodomō) is in a DFE position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and has thus been placed in clause-final for extra focus and stress.+2:18παραβάτην ( parabatēn) here involves a willful disregard for God’s instruction in the Torah (see translation and notes at Rm 2:25; UBSHS [Jm], 74). παραβάτην is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this constituent extra focus and emphasis.+2:19ἀπέθανον ( apethanon) and νόμῳ ( nom ō) are receiving extra prominence (see BART Display; cf LDGNT), and therefore γὰρ ( gar) has been used as a spacer to give extra focus to these elements.+2:19θεῷ ( theō) and ζήσω ( zēsō) are receiving focal prominence (see BART Display; cf LDGNT), and thus a spacer (derived from the context; cf NCV) has been used to give extra focus to these constituents. An intensive pronoun has also been used to give extra focus to θεῷ.+2:19Rm 7 indicates that this is the shade of meaning being activated by the dative here.+2:19Cf Is 54:1-5; Rm 7-8.+2:20Χριστῷ ( christō) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT; note, though, that the BART Display is marked for focal ambiguity), and has thus been italicized for extra focus and emphasis.+2:20οὐκέτι ἐγώ ( ouketi egō) is receiving focal prominence (see BART Display), and thus an intensive pronoun and cleft-construction have been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:20Cf Rm 6:1-14, 8:1-4.+2:20Lit in the flesh. Translated according to “Flesh” C, F, G (see FBT Chart).+2:20ἐν πίστει ( en pistei) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and therefore italics have been used to give this element extra focus and emphasis.+2:20Or by the faithfulness of the Son of God, or by faith in the Son of God.+2:20For this rendering of the aorist participle, see note at 2 Th 2:16.+2:20Cf TEV.+2:21διὰ νόμου ( dia nomou) is in an embedded focal position (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus a cleft-construction has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:21δωρεὰν ( dōrean) is in P2 (see BART Display and LDGNT), and thus an adverb has been used to give extra focus to this constituent.+2:21Cf Ac 13:39; Heb 8-9.