Galatians 2:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Indeed, if I build up again the legalistic bondage which I destroyed, I really do make myself a transgressor.

Berean Standard Bible:

If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.

American Standard Version:

For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} if^{G1487} I build^{G3618} again^{G3825} the things^{G5023} which^{G3739} I destroyed^{G2647}, I make^{G4921} myself^{G1683} a transgressor^{G3848}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Galatians 4:9

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Galatians 4:12

¶ Brethren, I beseech you, be as I [am]; for I [am] as ye [are]: ye have not injured me at all.

Galatians 2:4

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:

Galatians 2:5

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Galatians 2:12

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.

Galatians 2:16

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.

Romans 14:15

But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

Commentary for Galatians 2:18

Galatians 2:18 is a part of the Apostle Paul's letter to the churches in Galatia, which addresses the issue of Gentile Christians being compelled to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision, as a means of justification before God. In this verse, Paul is speaking about the consequences of returning to a system of law after one has been freed from it through faith in Christ.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the early Christian debate over whether Gentile converts were required to observe the Mosaic Law. Paul, who had been a strict adherent to Jewish law before his conversion, argues vehemently against the imposition of these laws on Gentile believers. He insists that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not by adherence to the works of the law.

In Galatians 2:18, Paul articulates a key theme of his theology: "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." Here, Paul is using a metaphor of building and destroying to illustrate the idea that if he were to revert to the observance of the law after preaching its abolition for those in Christ, he would be contradicting his own message and effectively undermining the grace of God. By doing so, he would be re-establishing the very system that he had previously torn down, thus making himself a transgressor—someone who violates the principles of the gospel.

This verse underscores the transformative nature of faith in Christ, which renders the old system of law obsolete. Paul's argument is that to return to the law would not only be a denial of the freedom found in Christ but would also be a rejection of Christ's sufficient work on the cross. The underlying message is that Christians are justified by faith alone and that any attempt to add law-keeping to faith nullifies the grace of God and reintroduces the burden of legalism.

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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

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

Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G1487
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ
Transliteration: ei
Pronunciation: i
Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν.
Strong's Number: G3618
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οἰκοδομέω
Transliteration: oikodoméō
Pronunciation: oy-kod-om-eh'-o
Description: from the same as οἰκοδομή; to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm:--(be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.
Strong's Number: G3825
There are 138 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πάλιν
Transliteration: pálin
Pronunciation: pal'-in
Description: probably from the same as πάλη (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand:--again.
Strong's Number: G5023
There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ταῦτα
Transliteration: taûta
Pronunciation: tow'-tah
Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
Strong's Number: G2647
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταλύω
Transliteration: katalýō
Pronunciation: kat-al-oo'-o
Description: from κατά and λύω; to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish (literally or figuratively); specially (compare κατάλυμα) to halt for the night:--destroy, dissolve, be guest, lodge, come to nought, overthrow, throw down.
Strong's Number: G4921
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συνιστάω
Transliteration: synistáō
Pronunciation: soon-is'-tay-mee
Description: from σύν and ἵστημι (including its collateral forms); to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute:--approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with).
Strong's Number: G1683
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμαυτοῦ
Transliteration: emautoû
Pronunciation: em-ow-ton'
Description: genitive case compound of ἐμοῦ and αὐτός; of myself so likewise the dative case , and accusative case :--me, mine own (self), myself.
Strong's Number: G3848
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παραβάτης
Transliteration: parabátēs
Pronunciation: par-ab-at'-ace
Description: from παραβαίνω; a violator:--breaker, transgress(-or).

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