Galatians 2:14

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} when {G3753} I saw {G1492} that {G3754} they walked {G3716} not {G3756} uprightly {G3716} according to {G4314} the truth {G225} of the gospel {G2098}, I said {G2036} unto Peter {G4074} before {G1715} them all {G3956}, If {G1487} thou {G4771}, being {G5225} a Jew {G2453}, livest {G2198} after the manner of Gentiles {G1483}, and {G2532} not {G3756} as do the Jews {G2452}, why {G5101} compellest thou {G315} the Gentiles {G1484} to live as do the Jews {G2450}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But when I saw that they were not walking a straight path, keeping in line with the truth of the Good News, I said to Kefa, right in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Goy and not like a Jew, why are you forcing the Goyim to live like Jews?

Berean Standard Bible

When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

American Standard Version

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Galatians 2:14 captures a pivotal moment in early church history where the Apostle Paul publicly confronted Peter (Cephas) in Antioch for his inconsistent behavior concerning the implications of the gospel. Peter, by withdrawing from eating with Gentiles when Jewish believers arrived, implicitly compelled Gentile Christians to adopt Jewish customs, thereby undermining the truth that salvation is by grace through faith alone, apart from works of the Law, and jeopardizing the unity of the body of Christ. Paul's bold rebuke underscored the supremacy of gospel truth over social pressure and personal compromise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's defense of his apostolic authority and the true gospel in his letter to the Galatians. Chapters 1 and 2 establish Paul's independent commission from Christ and his consistent message, contrasting it with the false teachings of the Judaizers who insisted on Gentile circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. The immediate preceding verses (Galatians 2:11-13) set the scene for the confrontation in Antioch, describing Peter's initial fellowship with Gentiles and his subsequent withdrawal due to fear of "certain from James." Paul's public rebuke of Peter is presented as a crucial example of how the purity of the gospel must be upheld, even against respected leaders, leading directly into Paul's theological exposition on justification by faith in Galatians 2:15-21.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The incident occurred in Antioch, a significant center for Gentile Christianity and a launching point for missionary journeys. The early church grappled with how Jewish and Gentile believers could coexist and worship together, particularly concerning dietary laws and circumcision. Jewish Christians, especially those from Jerusalem and influenced by figures like James, often felt a strong pull to maintain traditional Jewish practices. Peter's behavior reflected the immense social and religious pressure to conform to Jewish customs, even if it compromised the theological implications of the gospel. Eating together (table fellowship) was a profound symbol of unity and acceptance in ancient cultures, and Peter's withdrawal was a public declaration of separation, implying that Gentiles were somehow "unclean" or less than fully accepted without adherence to Jewish law.
* **Key Themes:** Galatians 2:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Galatians. Foremost is the **truth of the gospel** itself – that salvation and justification come solely through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic Law or Jewish customs (as articulated in [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Justification by Faith Alone")). Paul's confrontation highlights the danger of **hypocrisy and inconsistency** when one's actions contradict the very principles they profess, showing how Peter's behavior "walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel." The verse also underscores the theme of **Christian liberty**, emphasizing freedom from the ceremonial law and the dangers of legalism, which can place unnecessary burdens on believers and undermine the sufficiency of Christ's work (compare with [Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Freedom in Christ")). Finally, it speaks to **unity in the body of Christ**, demonstrating Paul's commitment to ensuring that ethnic distinctions do not create division or a two-tiered system within the church (a concept further developed in [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, often translated as "to see" or "to know," implies a direct perception and understanding of Peter's actions and their theological implications. Paul didn't just observe; he comprehended the deviation from gospel truth.
* **walked not uprightly (Greek, _orthopodéō'_):** Literally meaning "to walk straight-footed," this word metaphorically signifies living consistently or conducting oneself in conformity with a standard. Paul's use of the negative ("not uprightly") indicates Peter's behavior was a deviation from the "straight path" of the gospel's truth and its implications for Christian living and fellowship.
* **compellest (Greek, _anankázō'_):** This term means "to necessitate" or "to constrain." Paul asserts that Peter's actions, though perhaps not explicitly verbal commands, exerted a powerful social and theological pressure on Gentiles, forcing them to adopt Jewish customs to maintain fellowship and acceptance. This was a subtle but potent form of coercion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel":** Paul begins by stating the reason for his intervention. He perceived that Peter, Barnabas, and other Jewish believers were not living consistently with the core tenets and implications of the gospel message. Their actions, specifically withdrawing from table fellowship with Gentiles, implicitly denied the full acceptance of Gentiles into the new covenant community without adherence to Jewish customs.
* **"I said unto Peter before them all":** Paul's confrontation was public, not private. This highlights the seriousness of the issue – a public error required a public correction, especially from a leader like Peter, whose actions had public consequences for the gospel's integrity and church unity.
* **"If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews":** Paul points out Peter's hypocrisy. Peter, a Jew by birth and tradition, had himself been living freely, eating with Gentiles and disregarding Jewish dietary laws when convenient (as evidenced by his initial behavior). This demonstrated his own practical understanding of Christian liberty.
* **"why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?":** This is the core of Paul's rebuke. If Peter, a Jew, was free to live like a Gentile, why was he, by his actions, forcing or pressuring Gentiles to adopt Jewish customs ("to Judaize")? This inconsistency undermined the gospel's message of freedom and equality in Christ, implying that Gentile believers were incomplete or inferior unless they conformed to Jewish practices.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs **Rhetorical Question** in the latter part of the verse ("why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"). This is not a question seeking information but a powerful rhetorical device designed to expose the illogical and hypocritical nature of Peter's actions. It forces Peter (and the readers) to confront the inherent contradiction: if Peter, a Jew, enjoyed freedom from the Law, how could he implicitly demand that Gentiles submit to it? This question serves to highlight the grave theological implications of Peter's behavior, which effectively undermined the very gospel of grace. The passage also demonstrates **Irony**, as Peter, who had received a vision about clean and unclean foods (see [Acts 10:9-16](/acts/10-9-16 "Peter's Vision of the Sheet")), and who had been instrumental in the early inclusion of Gentiles (see [Acts 10:44-48](/acts/10-44-48 "The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles")), was now acting in a way that contradicted those foundational experiences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Galatians 2:14 serves as a foundational text for understanding the radical nature of the gospel of grace and its implications for Christian freedom and unity. It underscores the critical truth that salvation is not earned through adherence to any law or cultural custom, but is a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. Peter's error was not malicious intent, but a failure to live consistently with the profound implications of this truth, particularly regarding the full inclusion and equality of Gentile believers. Paul's public correction demonstrates the paramount importance of safeguarding the gospel's purity, even when it means confronting respected leaders, ensuring that no human tradition or social pressure compromises the sufficiency of Christ's work on the cross. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between gospel truth and cultural accommodation, challenging believers to always prioritize the former.

* [Acts 15:1-11](/acts/15-1-11 "The Jerusalem Council on Gentile Inclusion")
* [Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Justification by Faith Apart from Law")
* [Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Freedom from Dietary and Festival Laws")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The confrontation in Galatians 2:14 offers profound lessons for believers today. It calls us to a rigorous self-examination of our own consistency and integrity in living out the gospel. Are there areas where our actions or associations subtly (or overtly) contradict the truth of God's grace, perhaps by imposing unnecessary burdens on others or creating divisions based on non-essential matters? We are challenged to stand firm for the truth of the gospel, even when it is unpopular or requires confronting those we respect. This means prioritizing Christ's finished work and the freedom it brings over cultural norms, personal preferences, or social pressures that might subtly undermine the "truth of the gospel." Ultimately, this passage urges us to champion unity in Christ, recognizing that all believers, regardless of background, are equally accepted and made one in Him, and to live in a way that consistently reflects this glorious reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or church community might I be subtly "compelling" others to conform to cultural or traditional expectations rather than embracing their freedom in Christ?**
* **How does fear of disapproval or a desire for social harmony sometimes lead me to compromise on the "truth of the gospel" in my words or actions?**
* **What specific steps can I take to ensure my "walk" is consistently "upright according to the truth of the gospel," fostering genuine unity and liberty among believers?**

### FAQ

**Why was Peter's action considered "not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" if he wasn't explicitly teaching false doctrine?**

Answer: Peter's actions, though not a verbal declaration of false doctrine, carried significant theological weight and had practical implications that contradicted the gospel. By withdrawing from table fellowship with Gentile believers when Jewish Christians arrived, Peter was implicitly suggesting that the Gentiles were somehow "unclean" or less fully accepted unless they conformed to Jewish dietary laws and customs. This created a two-tiered Christianity and undermined the truth that both Jews and Gentiles are made one in Christ through faith, without the need for adherence to the Mosaic Law. Paul saw this as a practical denial of the gospel's truth, which declares that all are justified by faith in Jesus, making such distinctions irrelevant for fellowship and salvation (see [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Unity in Christ")). His behavior was a powerful, non-verbal sermon that distorted the gospel's message of radical inclusion and grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Galatians 2:14, though a narrative of apostolic conflict, deeply underscores the Christ-centered nature of the gospel. Peter's error lay in allowing social pressure to obscure the profound truth that Christ's finished work on the cross has abolished the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, creating one new humanity (as powerfully articulated in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Our Peace, Breaking Down the Wall")). The "truth of the gospel" that Paul so fiercely defended is precisely that justification comes not by works of the Law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, who became a curse for us to redeem us from the Law's demands (see [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Peter's withdrawal implicitly suggested that Christ's work was insufficient, requiring additional adherence to Jewish customs for full acceptance. Paul's rebuke, therefore, was a defense of Christ's singular and complete sufficiency. The freedom from the Law that Paul championed is not an end in itself, but a freedom *in Christ*, enabling believers from every background to be united in Him, without any need for external rituals or ethnic distinctions to complete their standing before God. This passage ultimately points to Christ as the sole basis for our acceptance, our unity, and our freedom, making Him the center of all true fellowship and salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Acts 10:28

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Acts 15:10

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Acts 15:11

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

1 Timothy 5:20

Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Acts 15:28

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.