exegetical · Gal 2:11–14 · ✓ Approved

Cephas opposed at Antioch

Says “When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned”. The printed text has Κηφᾶς at 2:11 and Κηφᾷ at 2:14; the Byzantine text and the Textus Receptus have Πέτρος (see Κηφᾶς, Κηφᾷ / Πέτρος, Πέτρῳ (2:11, 14)). Before certain men came ἀπὸ Ἰακώβου (apo Iakōbou, “from James”), he used to eat with the Gentiles; when they arrived (ἦλθον (ēlthon, “they came”); Tregelles prints ἦλθεν, “he came”: ἦλθον / ἦλθεν), he drew back “for fear of those in the circumcision group” (τοὺς ἐκ περιτομῆς). In 2:13 the Greek names Barnabas before “their” hypocrisy (Βαρναβᾶς (Barnabas, “Barnabas”) … αὐτῶν); the BSB has “by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray”. Paul saw that they were not “walking in line with the truth of the gospel” (ὀρθοποδοῦσιν πρὸς (orthopodousin pros, “walking straight toward”)) and asked how Cephas could compel the Gentiles Ἰουδαΐζειν (Ioudaizein, “to live like Jews”). See the language notes on 2:11–14, Antioch: table fellowship and the men from James (2:11–14), and Gal 2:12 → Acts 10:28.

Implies The charge, as the text gives it, is inconsistency joined to compulsion: one who lives in Gentile fashion presses Gentiles to conform to Jewish practice.

Uncertain Calvin, Luther, Wesley, and Lightfoot read a real fault in Cephas; Chrysostom reads an arranged contest, which Calvin and Luther report and reject. These are their readings; no verdict is given here. How the men from James stood to James, and where the words to Cephas end, are also left open in the commentary.

Claims

SaysWhen Cephas came to Antioch, Paul opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. The printed text has Cephas at 2:11 and 2:14; the Byzantine text and the Textus Receptus have Peter; 2:7–8 have Peter in every edition compared here. Before certain men came from James, Cephas used to eat with the Gentiles; when they arrived he drew back for fear of those of the circumcision. In 2:13 the Greek names Barnabas before their hypocrisy; the BSB puts their hypocrisy before Barnabas. Paul asked how Cephas, living in Gentile fashion, could compel the Gentiles to live like Jews.
ImpliesThe charge, as the text gives it, is inconsistency joined to compulsion: one who lives in Gentile fashion presses Gentiles to conform to Jewish practice.
UncertainCalvin, Luther, Wesley, and Lightfoot read a real fault in Cephas; Chrysostom reads an arranged contest, which Calvin and Luther report and reject. These are their readings; no verdict is given here. How the men from James stood to James, and where the words to Cephas end, are also left open in the commentary.

Citations

BSB public domain Gal 2:11–14
SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Gal 2:11–14
RP2018 Unlicense Galatians 2
TR (Scrivener 1894) public domain Galatians 2
Calvin, Galatians (Pringle) public domain p. 63 (leaf n76)
Luther, Galatians (Middleton 1833) public domain p. 81 (leaf n187)
Luther, Galatians (Middleton 1833) public domain p. 82 (leaf n188)
Wesley, Notes NT (1755) public domain p. 495 (leaf n508)
Lightfoot, Galatians public domain p. 111 (leaf n130)
Lightfoot, Galatians public domain p. 111 (leaf n130)
Chrysostom, Galatians (NPNF1 13) public domain p. 19 (leaf n40)
Chrysostom, Galatians (NPNF1 13) public domain p. 19 (leaf n40)
Calvin, Galatians (Pringle) public domain p. 62 (leaf n75)
Luther, Galatians (Middleton 1833) public domain p. 81 (leaf n187)

Sources Bible Scholarship & Tool CC BY 4.0 BSB public domain SBLGNT CC BY 4.0 Calvin, Galatians (Pringle) public domain Luther, Galatians (Middleton 1833) public domain Wesley, Notes NT (1755) public domain Lightfoot, Galatians public domain Chrysostom, Galatians (NPNF1 13) public domain RP2018 Unlicense TR (Scrivener 1894) public domain

2026-11-13

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