Galatians 2:6
What does Galatians 2:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 2:6 means
Paul notes that those who were reputed as leaders—though God shows no favoritism—did not add anything to his message. He does not despise them; rather, he denies that human status validates the gospel. The key point is that the recognized apostles found nothing lacking in Paul’s teaching. His authority and doctrine did not derive from them, yet they agreed with him. This both affirms the unity of the church and safeguards the source of the gospel: it comes from God, not from human rank. The Galatians, therefore, should not be swayed by impressive credentials when the content of the message matches apostolic truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But from those who seemed to be important (whatever they were has no weight with me: God does not take man's person into account): those who seemed to be important gave nothing new to me;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And from those who were esteemed to be something--whatever they were then, it maketh no difference to me--the face of man God accepteth not, for--to me those esteemed did add nothing,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But of them who seemed to be some thing, (what they were some time it is nothing to me, God accepteth not the person of man): for to me they that seemed to be some thing added nothing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat — whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me:God does not accept man's person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing;
Context
After stating he would not yield to legalistic pressure, Paul recounts the verdict of the Jerusalem pillars: they contributed no correction to his gospel. This clears the ground for the next verses, which detail how the leaders perceived Paul’s divine commission to the Gentiles and formally recognized fellowship with him. Verses 7–9 will emphasize complementary callings—Paul to the uncircumcision, Peter to the circumcision—grounded in the same God at work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 15:6
And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
- 2 Corinthians 11:5
For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11
I am become foolish: ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I am nothing.
- 2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
- Matthew 22:16
And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.
- Galatians 2:2
And 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.
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