Galatians 2:1

¶ Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with [me] also.

Then {G1899} fourteen {G1180} years {G2094} after {G1223} I went up {G305} again {G3825} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2414} with {G3326} Barnabas {G921}, and took {G4838} Titus {G5103} with me {G4838} also {G2532}.

Then after fourteen years I again went up to Yerushalayim, this time with Bar-Nabba; and I took with me Titus.

Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also.

Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

Galatians 2:1 in the King James Version marks a significant point in the Apostle Paul's account of his ministry and relationship with the Jerusalem apostles. He is laying out a timeline to validate the divine origin and independence of the gospel he preached.

Context

Following his dramatic conversion and initial years of ministry (described in Galatians chapter 1), Paul recounts a pivotal trip back to Jerusalem. This verse specifies that this visit occurred "fourteen years after" his first brief visit mentioned in Galatians 1:18. The purpose, elaborated in the following verses (Galatians 2:2), was to present the gospel he preached among the Gentiles to the key leaders in Jerusalem to ensure they were in agreement, preventing his past and future work from being in vain.

Key Themes

  • Paul's Timeline: The specific mention of "fourteen years after" is crucial, establishing Paul's chronology and emphasizing the period between his conversion and this key meeting with the Jerusalem apostles.
  • Companionship: Paul traveled with Barnabas, his trusted fellow laborer, and Titus, a Gentile convert. The inclusion of Titus was highly significant for the discussions that would follow regarding the inclusion of Gentiles in the church without requiring circumcision (Galatians 2:3).
  • Validation of Ministry: This trip was not for Paul to receive authorization, but to confirm the unity of the gospel message being preached to both Jews and Gentiles, demonstrating that his independent ministry was aligned with the core message of the apostles.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went up again to Jerusalem" uses the Greek word ἀνέβην (anebēn), which literally means "I went up." This is a common term for traveling to Jerusalem, as the city is situated on a hill. The phrase "fourteen years after" refers to the period following either Paul's conversion or his first visit to Jerusalem; most scholars understand it as fourteen years after the first visit mentioned in Galatians 1:18, fitting the overall narrative flow.

Significance and Application

Galatians 2:1 highlights Paul's careful demonstration of the timing and nature of his interactions with the Jerusalem leadership. It underscores the independent origin of his gospel message while affirming the essential unity of faith among all believers, regardless of background. The inclusion of Titus foreshadows the central argument of Galatians concerning Christian freedom and the equal standing of Gentiles and Jews in Christ. This verse reminds us of the importance of historical context in understanding biblical narratives and the consistent message of God's grace extending to all who believe.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Galatians 2:3

    But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

  • Galatians 2:13

    And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

  • Acts 4:36

    And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,

  • Acts 4:37

    Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

  • Galatians 1:18

    Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

  • Titus 1:4

    To Titus, [mine] own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

  • Colossians 4:10

    Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;)

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