Galatians 2:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Furthermore, when Kefa came to Antioch, I opposed him publicly, because he was clearly in the wrong.

Berean Standard Bible:

When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.

American Standard Version:

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} when^{G3753} Peter^{G4074} was come^{G2064} to^{G1519} Antioch^{G490}, I withstood^{G436} him^{G846} to^{G2596} the face^{G4383}, because^{G3754} he was^{G2258} to be blamed^{G2607}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Galatians 2:11

Galatians 2:11 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament that addresses the tension between Jewish Christians, who followed the Mosaic Law, and Gentile Christians, who were not obligated to the Law. The historical context of this verse is set in the early Christian community in Antioch, where both Jewish and Gentile believers were present.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul recounts his confrontation with the Apostle Peter. Paul publicly challenges Peter ("I withstood him to the face") because Peter's behavior was inconsistent and hypocritical. Prior to certain Jewish Christians from Jerusalem arriving in Antioch, Peter had been eating with Gentile believers. However, once the Jewish Christians arrived, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party—Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentiles must follow the Jewish law, including circumcision, to be saved.

The central theme of Galatians 2:11 is the confrontation over the truth of the gospel. Paul's action reflects his commitment to the principle that justification is by faith in Christ alone, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law. This confrontation illustrates the early church's struggle with the inclusion of Gentiles into what had been a predominantly Jewish movement. It also underscores the apostolic authority and courage of Paul in defending the purity of the gospel message against legalism and the pressure to conform to Jewish customs.

Paul's direct challenge to Peter's behavior is a powerful statement about the seriousness of distorting the gospel and the importance of unity among believers in Christ, regardless of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds. This event is foundational in establishing that the church is to be a community where faith in Christ, not adherence to the Jewish law, is the basis for acceptance and fellowship.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3753
   There are 105 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτε
   Transliteration: hóte
   Pronunciation: hot'-eh
   Description: from ὅς and τέ; at which (thing) too, i.e. when:--after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4074
   There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Πέτρος
   Transliteration: Pétros
   Pronunciation: pet'-ros
   Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2064
   There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔρχομαι
   Transliteration: érchomai
   Pronunciation: el'-tho
   Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
   
5. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
6. Strong's Number: G490
   There are 91 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἀντιόχεια
   Transliteration: Antiócheia
   Pronunciation: an-tee-okh'-i-ah
   Description: from (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria:--Antioch.
   
7. Strong's Number: G436
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνθίστημι
   Transliteration: anthístēmi
   Pronunciation: anth-is'-tay-mee
   Description: from ἀντί and ἵστημι; to stand against, i.e. oppose:--resist, withstand.
   
8. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2596
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατά
   Transliteration: katá
   Pronunciation: kat-ah'
   Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4383
    There are 73 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρόσωπον
    Transliteration: prósōpon
    Pronunciation: pros'-o-pon
    Description: from πρός and (the visage, from ὀπτάνομαι); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2258
    There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἦν
    Transliteration: ēn
    Pronunciation: ane
    Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2607
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καταγινώσκω
    Transliteration: kataginṓskō
    Pronunciation: kat-ag-in-o'-sko
    Description: from κατά and γινώσκω; to note against, i.e. find fault with:--blame, condemn.