Paul Defends His Gospel at Jerusalem
1Then after fourteen years I went up again2:1 Ac 15:2–30 to Jerusalem with Barnabas,2:1 Ac 4:36 taking Titus2:1 Ti 1:4 along also.
2I went up according to a revelation2:2 1Pt 4:13 and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. I wanted to be sure I was not running, and had not been running, in vain.
3But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
6Now from those recognized as important (what they2:6 Lit the recognized ones once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism2:6 Or God is not a respecter of persons; lit God does not receive the face of man2:6 Dt 16:19) — they added nothing to me.
7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised,2:7 Col 3:11 just as Peter2:7 Lk 6:14; Ac 10:32 was for the circumcised,
8since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles.
9When James,2:9 Jd 1 Cephas,2:9 Other mss read Peter2:9 Jn 1:42 and John2:9 Jn 21:7 — those recognized as pillars2:9 1Tm 3:15; Rv 3:12; 10:1 — acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Freedom from the Law
11But when Cephas2:11 Other mss read Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.2:11 Or he was in the wrong
12For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party.
13Then the rest of the Jews2:13 Rm 2:28–29 joined his hypocrisy,2:13 Mk 12:15 so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.
14But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas2:14 Other mss read Peter in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile2:14 Rm 1:13 and not like a Jew,2:14 Rm 14:2 how can you compel Gentiles to live2:14 Rm 6:2 like Jews?” 2:14 Some translations continue the quotation through v. 16 or v. 21.
15We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,”
16and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law2:16 Rm 3:20; Gl 3:2,5,10 but by faith in Jesus Christ,2:16 Or by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ2:16 Or by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will2:16 Lit law all flesh will not be justified.
17But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ,2:17 Rm 6:23; 1Tm 1:15 is Christ then a promoter2:17 Or servant2:17 1Co 3:5 of sin? Absolutely not!2:17 Lk 20:16
18If I rebuild2:18 Ac 20:32 those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.2:18 Rm 2:25,27; Jms 2:9,11
19For through the law I died to the law,2:19 Rm 7:4; 1Pt 2:24 so that I might live for God.2:19 Php 1:21
20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.2:20 Mk 10:38; 2Co 13:5 The life I now live in the body,2:20 Lit flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,2:20 Jn 5:19; Heb 1:2 who loved2:20 Jn 3:16 me2:20 2Th 2:13 and gave himself2:20 Ti 2:14 for me.2:20 Lk 20:38; Rm 14:8
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