Galatians 2 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

The Council at Jerusalem

1Then after a period of fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem, with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.

2I went up because of a revelation, and I put before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so in private before those of reputation, for fear that I might be running or had run in vain.

3But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, despite the fact that he was a Greek.

4My concern was because of the false brothers who had been secretly smuggled in. They had slipped in to spy on the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us back into bondage.

5But we did not yield to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would continue to remain with you.

6But from those who were of high reputation (whatever they were—in terms of individual importance—makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality—He is not impressed with the positions that people hold nor does He recognize distinctions such as fame or power)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.

7But on the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles), just as Peter had been to the circumcised (Jews);

8(for He who worked effectively for Peter and empowered him in his ministry to the Jews also worked effectively for me and empowered me in my ministry to the Gentiles).

9And recognizing the grace bestowed on me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we could go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Jews).

10They asked only, that we remember the poor, the very thing I was also eager to do.

Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

11Now when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him face to face, because he stood condemned.

12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when the men arrived, he began to withdraw and separate himself, because he was afraid of those from the circumcision.

13The rest of the Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.

14But when I saw that they were not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I told Cephas (Peter) in front of everyone, “If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how is it that you are forcing the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

15[I went on to say] “We are Jews by birth and not sinners from among the Gentiles;

16yet we know that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus. And even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law. By observing the Law no one will ever be justified.

17But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ an advocate or promoter of our sin? Certainly not!

18For if I rebuild what I once tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.

19For through the Law I died to the Law and its demands on me, so that I might live to God.

20I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

21I do not ignore or nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”