Galatians 2:5
What does Galatians 2:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 2:5 means
Paul and his companions refused to yield even momentarily to those who would impose the Law on Gentile believers. This steadfastness was not stubborn pride but pastoral concern: he resisted so that the gospel’s truth would continue unaltered among the Galatians. If they had conceded, it would have signaled that faith in Christ is insufficient without legal observances. By holding the line, Paul preserved the message that salvation is by grace through faith, maintaining the integrity and freedom of the church. His resistance models how Christians should stand firm when the core of the gospel is threatened by teachings that add requirements for justification.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To whom we gave way not even for an hour; so that the true words of the good news might still be with you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862to whom not even for an hour we gave place by subjection, that the truth of the good news might remain to you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To whom we yielded not by subjection: no, not for an hour: that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890to whom we yielded in subjection not even for an hour, that the truth of the glad tidings might remain with you.
Context
Having identified the false brothers’ agenda, Paul reports his decisive refusal to submit. This prepares for the reaction of the respected Jerusalem leaders in verses 6–9. If they had corrected Paul, the Galatians might suspect his gospel was deficient. Instead, the narrative will show mutual recognition and partnership, with no additions required. Thus, verses 6–9 function as the positive confirmation of the stand Paul took for the gospel’s purity.
v.4and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
v.5This passage
v.6But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man’s person)—they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 3:1
O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?
- Jude 1:3
Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you of our common salvation, I was constrained to write unto you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints.
- Colossians 2:4
This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
- Ephesians 1:13
in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,—in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
- Galatians 2:14
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?
- 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.
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