¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
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}.
Furthermore, when Kefa came to Antioch, I opposed him publicly, because he was clearly in the wrong.
When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.
-
1 Timothy 5:20
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. -
2 Corinthians 5:16
¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more. -
Galatians 2:14
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? -
Acts 15:1
¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. -
1 John 1:8
¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. -
1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. -
2 Corinthians 12:11
¶ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
Galatians 2:11 records a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, highlighting a significant confrontation between two key apostles: Paul and Peter. This verse sets the stage for a crucial discussion on the nature of the gospel and the unity of believers, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.
Context
This verse immediately follows Paul's account of his visit to Jerusalem and the Jerusalem Council (Galatians 2:1-10), where his gospel to the Gentiles was affirmed by the apostles, including Peter (also known as Cephas). The scene then shifts to Antioch, a major center for Gentile Christianity. Peter had come to Antioch and was initially fellowshipping freely with Gentile believers, eating with them. However, when certain Jewish Christians, often referred to as "Judaizers" (who insisted on Gentile converts observing the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision), arrived from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles and separated himself. This action, driven by fear of criticism from the "party of the circumcision," contradicted the very unity affirmed in Jerusalem and the spirit of the gospel.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "I withstood him to the face" (Greek: kath' hypopsin autō anestēn) emphasizes the direct, open, and public nature of Paul's confrontation. It wasn't a private discussion but a bold, unreserved challenge to Peter's actions. The phrase "he was to be blamed" (Greek: katagnōskō) means literally "he stood condemned" or "he was judged against." It signifies that Peter's actions were clearly wrong and indefensible, deserving of public censure because they betrayed the gospel.
Practical Application
Galatians 2:11 offers several important lessons for believers today: