Devine Scripture

Galatians 2:1

What does Galatians 2:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Galatians 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Galatians 2:1 means

Paul recalls a later visit to Jerusalem, about fourteen years after a previous key event, to show that his ministry operated on God’s timetable, not human pressure. He went with Barnabas, a trusted coworker, and brought Titus, a Greek believer. Mentioning Titus is deliberate: he is a living example of a Gentile Christian who had received the gospel without adopting Jewish distinctives. By naming companions and timing, Paul roots his story in verifiable history. His aim is not self-promotion but to display how his Gentile mission stands within the wider purposes of God and is not an isolated or renegade effort.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then, after fourteen years again I went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, having taken with me also Titus;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then after a lapse of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with [me];

Context

Chapter 2 continues Paul’s defense that his gospel is from God, begun in chapter 1. By noting a significant Jerusalem trip, he prepares readers to see how the mother church responded to his Gentile-focused preaching. The presence of Barnabas and Titus signals unity and a practical test case. This setup leads into why he went (verse 2), the pressure facing Titus (verse 3), and the threat of false brothers (verse 4). It sets the stage for demonstrating apostolic recognition of his message.

v.1This passage

v.2And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:23

    Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and my fellow-worker to you-ward; or our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, they are the glory of Christ.

  • Galatians 2:3

    But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

  • Acts 15:36

    And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.

  • Acts 11:25

    And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

  • Acts 15:2

    And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

  • Galatians 1:18

    Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Galatians 2

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Galatians 2.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Galatians 2:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary