--- title: "Galatians 2 - Study King James Bible with the biblical illustrator" description: "Read Galatians 2 with the biblical illustrator commentary. 1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto" image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/the-biblical-illustrator/galatians/2" --- [ Read](/kjv/galatians/2)[ Commentary](/study/galatians/2)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/galatians/2) Audio 1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with *me* also. 2 And 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. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And 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: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But 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: 7 But 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:) 9 And 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. 10 Only *they would* that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For 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. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But 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? 15 We *who are* Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing 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. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, *is* therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I 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. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness *come* by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. [Galatians 1](/study/galatians/1) [Galatians 3](/study/galatians/3) ## Commentary To verse 1 [Galatians 2:1](/kjv/galatians/2/1) *I went up to Jerusalem.* **The journey to Jerusalem** ** I.**Which? The third ([Acts 15:2](/kjv/acts/15/2)), the first being that of the previous chapter ([Acts 9:26](/kjv/acts/9/26)), the second that of [Acts 11:30](/kjv/acts/11/30), both the purpose and time of which forbid its being confounded with them. Both [Galatians 2:1-21](/kjv/galatians/2/1-21). and [Acts 15:1-41](/kjv/acts/15/1-41). agree in time, geography, persons, intent, and subsequent events. ** II.**When? Fourteen years after, when by experiences, trials, and achievements, Paul had earned the right to take the position he had assumed. Let young Christians learn from this to wait until experience and service give them the right to assert their equality with their elders. ** III.**What for? To fight and win the battle of Christian liberty, equality, and fraternity. ** IV.**With whom? Titus, a representative of the cause he was fighting; Barnabas, an unexceptionable witness of the justice of his cause. **The reason of the visit** Not to submit, as to a supreme tribunal, the question as to whether he might be permitted to go on receiving uncircumcised Gentiles into the Church: the idea of a human hierarchy to regulate the faith of some by that of others was altogether alien to his spirit. The fact is he had no fear whatever of being gainsaid by the heads of the mother Church. Had it been otherwise he would certainly not have taken a course which in such a case could not but make the rupture open and the evil incurable. The event proved that Paul was not mistaken in the hope that his colleagues would stand by him; and by their timely help Paul’s fear was removed that the labour he had spent in founding a truly universal Church might be lost in the creation of two rival Churches. (*E. Reuss,* *D. D.*) **Barnabas and Paul** Barnabas may be said, in a certain sense, to have made Paul what he afterwards became. He brought him out of obscurity. He put him in the forefront, though he must have been well aware that he was likely to become more distinguished and powerful than himself. This is that peculiar mark of a generous disposition, the absence of anxiety for personal credit, the readiness for friendly combination in useful undertakings without any selfish end in view. There are some men who have no heart for any enterprise unless they can have the first place in it. This is perhaps a prevalent temptation with most energetic characters. But this habit of mind is not according to Christ ([Matthew 20:27](/kjv/matthew/20/27)), and Barnabas is a good example to show us how such temptation can be****overcome. (*Dean* *Howson.*) **A memorable journey** ** I.**The time when it was undertaken. “Fourteen years after I went up to Jerusalem.” ** II.**The companions of his journey. Barnabas was appointed to go to Jerusalem with Paul, and the latter took with him Titus also. Christian companionship should therefore include-- **1.**Unity of purpose in the chief aims of life. There may be differences as to inferior things, but in regard to the highest endeavours of the heart and life there should be unity. **2.**Christian companionship ought to be the friendship of men governed by the same spirit, and that spirit should be the Spirit of Christ. **3.**Christian companionship should be formed with a view to mutual edification. ** III.**The reason for Paul’s journey--“And I went up by revelation.” In [Acts 15:1-41](/kjv/acts/15/1-41). there is given the history of the events which apparently led to this journey being undertaken. Lesson: In the life of every good man there are epochs which show the progress of God’s plan in reference to him. (*R. Nicholls.*) **The council of Jerusalem** But now, finally, we are confronted with the question, What may we learn from this whole subject that may be of service in our modern Church life? To this I answer, that for one thing we are taught to be on our guard against introducing division into Churches which are zealously doing God’s work. Never, surely, were men more intent on carrying forward the triumphs of the gospel than these Christians at Antioch. Yet strangers from Jerusalem, more anxious about a matter of ritual observance than for spiritual progress, did not hesitate to interrupt their activity and introduce controversy among them by raising the question of circumcision. It was an unjustifiable, if not also a malicious, proceeding. Missionary work was for the time suspended; and Paul and Barnabas, who might have been earnestly labouring in some new field, were sent to Jerusalem, all because these Judaizers insisted on the essential importance of that which was really indifferent. But how often have similar things been done in our existing Churches? A foolish question has been started by some one-ideaed enthusiast, who has pertinaciously kept it before the minds of the brethren, and those who should have presented an unbroken phalanx to the enemies of religion have turned their weapons against each other. Let us set our faces against all discussion upon such microscopic matters as have no essential importance. The progress of the Church as a whole is infinitely more to be considered than the airing of the pet crotchet of any individual, or even the advancement of that which we may reckon the best form of worship. Nor does this lesson hold only in the intercourse between members of the same Church or congregation. It is of force also in the dealings of denominations with each other. Another thing which we ought to learn from this history is, that our Christian liberty should be regulated by love. We may have a right to do many things which yet, in present circumstances, and out of regard to our brethren, we should not do. Finally, we may learn from this whole narrative to be very zealous for the free grace of the gospel. Paul would not allow that anything was necessary to salvation but faith in Christ. (*W. M. 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