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Absolutely not! <a href="/nlt/galatians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! <a href="/esv/galatians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! <a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not! <a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also have been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Never may it be! <a href="/kjv/galatians/2.htm">King James Bible</a> But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/2.htm">New King James Version</a> “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! <a href="/nasb_/galatians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Far from it! <a href="/nasb/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! <a href="/nasb77/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! <a href="/lsb/galatians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! <a href="/amp/galatians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ [by faith], we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ an advocate or promoter of our sin? Certainly not! <a href="/csb/galatians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! <a href="/hcsb/galatians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But if we ourselves are also found to be &#8220sinners&#8221 while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! <a href="/asv/galatians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. <a href="/cev/galatians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When we Jews started looking for a way to please God, we discovered that we are sinners too. Does this mean that Christ is the one who makes us sinners? No, it doesn't! <a href="/erv/galatians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. <a href="/gwt/galatians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If we, the same people who are searching for God's approval in Christ, are still sinners, does that mean that Christ encourages us to sin? That's unthinkable! <a href="/gnt/galatians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> If, then, as we try to be put right with God by our union with Christ, we are found to be sinners, as much as the Gentiles are--does this mean that Christ is serving the cause of sin? By no means! <a href="/isv/galatians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now if we, while trying to be justified by the Messiah, have been found to be sinners, does that mean that the Messiah is serving the interests of sin? Of course not! <a href="/msb/galatians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ a minister of sin? Certainly not! <a href="/net/galatians/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not! <a href="/nheb/galatians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not. <a href="/wbt/galatians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? By no means. <a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But if while we are seeking in Christ acquittal from guilt we ourselves are convicted of sin, Christ then encourages us to sin! No, indeed. <a href="/web/galatians/2.htm">World English Bible</a> But if while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And if, seeking to be declared righteous in Christ, we were also ourselves found sinners, [is] Christ then a servant of sin? Let it not be! <a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But if seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also have been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Never may it be! <a href="/ylt/galatians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And if, seeking to be declared righteous in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is then Christ a ministrant of sin? let it not be! <a href="/slt/galatians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it; seeking to be justified in Christ, we were found also ourselves sinners, is Christ therefore the servant of sin? It may not be.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But if while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners; is Christ then the minister of sin? God forbid. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are also found to be sinners, would then Christ be the minister of sin? Let it not be so! <a href="/nabre/galatians/2.htm">New American Bible</a> But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? Of course not! <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But if, in our effort to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have been found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not!<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore our LORD Jesus Christ a minister of sin? Far be it. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But if when we seek to be made right by The Messiah, we are found to be sinners, is then Yeshua the Minister of sin? God forbid!<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves are also found sinners, is Christ, therefore, the minister of sin? It can not be. <a href="/godbey/galatians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But if seeking to be justified in Christ, we may also be found sinners, then is Christ the minister of sin? it could not be so. <a href="/haweis/galatians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For if seeking to be justified by Christ, we also ourselves should be found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? God forbid. <a href="/mace/galatians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Now if it be a sin to seek for justification by Christ, then is Christ the minister of sin, which cannot be. <a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But if while we are seeking in Christ acquittal from guilt we ourselves are convicted of sin, Christ then encourages us to sin! No, indeed. <a href="/worrell/galatians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But, if while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is, then, Christ a minister of sin? It could not be! <a href="/worsley/galatians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But if while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? <a href="/parallel/galatians/2-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=374" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Paul Confronts Cephas</a> …16know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. 17<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">if,</a> <a href="/greek/2212.htm" title="2212: zētountes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.">while we seek</a> <a href="/greek/1344.htm" title="1344: dikaiōthēnai (V-ANP) -- From dikaios; to render just or innocent.">to be justified</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christō (N-DMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autoi (PPro-NM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">we ourselves</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heurethēmen (V-AIP-1P) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">are found to be</a> <a href="/greek/268.htm" title="268: hamartōloi (Adj-NMP) -- Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.">sinners,</a> <a href="/greek/686.htm" title="686: ara (Conj) -- Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive.">does that make</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christos (N-NMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ</a> <a href="/greek/1249.htm" title="1249: diakonos (N-NMS) -- Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.">a minister</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartias (N-GFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">of sin?</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: genoito (V-AOM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">Certainly not!</a> 18If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1-2</a> What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? / Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? <a href="/romans/3-5.htm">Romans 3:5-8</a> But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. / Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world? / However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? ... <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-13</a> What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” / But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. / Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ... <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31</a> Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law. <a href="/romans/6-15.htm">Romans 6:15</a> What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not! <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-11</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. <a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a> and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. <a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3-4</a> For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, / so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a> God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. <a href="/romans/5-20.htm">Romans 5:20-21</a> The law came in so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased, grace increased all the more, / so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Romans 7:5-6</a> For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death. / But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. <a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19-20</a> Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. / Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. <a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a> because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. <a href="/romans/7-25.htm">Romans 7:25</a> Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. <a href="/romans/8-10.htm">Romans 8:10</a> But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.while.<a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Romans 9:30-33</a> What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith… <a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Romans 11:7</a> What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blindedare found.<a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">Galatians 2:11</a> But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.<a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1,2</a> What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? … <a href="/1_john/3-8.htm">1 John 3:8-10</a> He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil… is.<a href="/matthew/1-21.htm">Matthew 1:21</a> And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.<a href="/romans/15-8.htm">Romans 15:8</a> Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:<a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">2 Corinthians 3:7-9</a> But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: … God.<a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4,6</a> God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/6-4.htm">Absolutely</a> <a href="/romans/5-18.htm">Acquittal</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-24.htm">Convicted</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/galatians/1-7.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-6.htm">Encourages</a> <a href="/jude/1-22.htm">Endeavor</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm">Evident</a> <a href="/galatians/1-14.htm">Far</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-39.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-20.htm">Found</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/galatians/2-7.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-20.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">Means</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-8.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/galatians/2-15.htm">Ourselves</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">Promotes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-34.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-21.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/galatians/2-15.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-2.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/galatians/2-10.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Absolutely</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Acquittal</a> <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/james/2-9.htm">Convicted</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Encourages</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">Endeavor</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Evident</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Far</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Forbid</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-9.htm">Found</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/galatians/3-4.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/galatians/3-18.htm">Means</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-7.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-5.htm">Ourselves</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-21.htm">Promotes</a> <a href="/galatians/3-11.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/galatians/2-21.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/galatians/4-17.htm">Seek</a> <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/galatians/3-24.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/galatians/4-18.htm">Sought</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/galatians/3-21.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 2</div>1. <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">He shows when he went up again to Jerusalem, and for what purpose;</a> 3. <a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">and that Titus was not circumcised;</a> 11. <a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">and that he resisted Peter, and told him the reason;</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/2-14.htm">why he and others, being Jews, believe in Christ to be justified by faith, and not by works;</a> 20. <a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">and that they live not in sin, who are so justified.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, This phrase addresses the pursuit of justification through faith in Jesus Christ, a central theme in Paul's letters. Justification refers to being declared righteous before God, not by works of the law but through faith in Christ (<a href="/romans/3-28.htm">Romans 3:28</a>). The context here is Paul's argument against the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile Christians must follow Jewish law to be justified. This pursuit of justification in Christ alone is foundational to the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith (<a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>).we ourselves are found to be sinners, Paul acknowledges the reality of sin even among believers. This reflects the ongoing struggle with sin that Christians face, despite being justified (<a href="/romans/7-14.htm">Romans 7:14-25</a>). The acknowledgment of sin does not negate the believer's justified status but highlights the need for continual reliance on Christ's righteousness. This also connects to the concept of sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ (<a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a>).does that make Christ a minister of sin? Here, Paul anticipates a potential misunderstanding of the gospel of grace. The rhetorical question challenges the notion that Christ promotes sin by justifying sinners. This addresses the accusation that grace might encourage moral laxity (<a href="/romans/6.htm">Romans 6:1-2</a>). The term "minister" implies service or agency, and Paul refutes any suggestion that Christ's work leads to sinfulness.Certainly not! Paul's emphatic rejection of the idea that Christ could be associated with sin underscores the holiness and purity of Jesus. This strong denial aligns with the consistent biblical portrayal of Christ as sinless (<a href="/hebrews/4-15.htm">Hebrews 4:15</a>) and the ultimate sacrifice for sin (<a href="/1_peter/2-24.htm">1 Peter 2:24</a>). The phrase reinforces the transformative power of the gospel, which calls believers to live in righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit (<a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing issues of justification and the role of the law in the life of believers. 2. <a href="/topical/g/galatians.htm">Galatians</a> The recipients of the letter, a group of early Christians in the region of Galatia who were struggling with the influence of Judaizers. 3. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group within the early church advocating that Gentile Christians must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be truly saved. 4. <a href="/topical/c/christ.htm">Christ</a> Central to the discussion, as Paul emphasizes justification through faith in Christ rather than adherence to the law. 5. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter (Cephas)</a> Mentioned earlier in the chapter, his actions in Antioch prompted Paul to address the issue of justification and the law.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/j/justification_by_faith_alone.htm">Justification by Faith Alone</a> Emphasize that our justification is through faith in Christ, not by works of the law. This foundational truth is central to the gospel message. <a href="/topical/c/christ's_role_in_our_sanctification.htm">Christ's Role in Our Sanctification</a> Christ is not a minister of sin; rather, He empowers us to live righteously. Our union with Him leads to transformation, not license to sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_legalism.htm">The Danger of Legalism</a> Legalism undermines the gospel by suggesting that Christ's sacrifice is insufficient. We must guard against adding human requirements to God's grace. <a href="/topical/l/living_out_our_faith.htm">Living Out Our Faith</a> Our lives should reflect the transformative power of the gospel. While we are justified by faith, our actions should demonstrate our new identity in Christ. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> Engage in Christian community to encourage one another in faith and hold each other accountable, ensuring that our lives align with the truth of the gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 2</a> <a href="/q/what_role_does_satan_play_in_the_bible.htm">What constitutes the works of the law?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_paul_'worst_sinner'_yet_righteous.htm">How does Paul calling himself 'the worst of sinners' in 1 Timothy 1:15 align with the idea that Christians are transformed and made righteous?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_law_of_moses_useful_or_not.htm">Is the law of Moses useful? Yes. All scripture is... profitable... (2 Timothy 3:16) No. . . . A former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness... (Hebrews 7:18)</a> <a href="/q/why_is_the_law_for_the_lawless.htm">In 1 Timothy 1:8-9, why is the law described as mainly for the lawless when other passages emphasize its value for all believers?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) We sought justification in Christ. But if, with all our seeking, something more was needed: viz., a rigid performance of the Law--that Law which we had abandoned--then there was still something wanting to our justification. We were sinners on a par with the Gentiles, and all that Christianity seemed to have done for us was to lead us deeper into sin. A profane thought!By Christ.--Strictly, in Christ--i.e., by the relation into which we are brought with Him. The reference is here, however, not exactly to the mystical union with Christ, which is regarded by the Apostle rather in connection with sanctification (the actual growth in holiness) than with justification (the judicial absolution from guilt). In the present instance the Apostle is speaking of justification; and when he says that "we are justified in Christ," he means practically through faith in Him, or through that circle of forces within which we are brought by faith.We ourselves also.--We who were by our birth Jews, as well as the Gentiles.Are found.--Strictly, were found--i.e., at a time subsequent to our embracing Christianity, if the only result of our Christianity was that we were still sinners.Sinners.--Sinners actually, through our positive transgressions, and sinners theoretically or judicially (in the eyes of God), through the fact that we have lost the old Jewish justification through the fulfilment of the Law; while, according to this Judaising theory which St. Paul is combating, our new Christian justification is insufficient.Is therefore Christ the minister of sin?--Our English version is probably right in making this a question. It is put ironically, and as a sort of reductio ad absurdum of the Judaising position. The Judaisers maintained the necessity of a strict fulfilment of the Mosaic law. They, however, still called themselves Christians; and here St. Paul had a hold upon them. "You call yourselves Christians," he says, "and yet you insist upon the Mosaic law. You say that a man cannot be justified without it: it follows that we, who have exchanged the service of the Law for the service of Christ, are not justified. In other words, our relation to Christ has made us, not better, but worse--a thought which no Christian can entertain."No doubt St. Paul used some such argument as this in his controversy with St. Peter at Antioch, but it would probably be stated in a simpler and less speculative form: "If you still fall back upon the separatist Jewish observances, what is the good of being a Christian?" Here, in writing to the Galatians, the Apostle paraphrases what he had said in language more suited to a theological treatise and to the natural speculative bias of his own mind.God forbid.--The Judaising theory was quite sufficiently condemned by showing the consequences to which it would lead. It makes Christ Himself a minister of sin--a suggestion which the Apostle puts away with pious horror.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ (εἰ δὲ ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Ξριστῷ); but if while seeking to be justified in Christ. The present participle, "while seeking," that is," while we sought," is referred back to the time indicated in the words, "we believed," of the preceding verse - the time, that is, when, made aware that works of the Law could not justify, they, Cephas and Paul, severally set themselves to find righteousness in Christ. At that time they in heart utterly renounced the notion that "works of the Law" had any effect upon a man's standing before God; they saw that his doing them could not make him righteous, as well as that his not doing them would not make him a sinner (see <a href="/matthew/15-10.htm">Matthew 15:10-20</a>). This was an essential feature of their state of mind in seeking righteousness in Christ. They distinguished Levitical purity and pollution from spiritual and real. And the principle was not only embraced in their hearts, but, in course of time, it embodied itself also, as occasion served, in outward deed. They, both Paul and Cephas himself, were bold to "live after the manner of Gentiles" (ver. 14), and with Gentiles to freely associate. If this was wrong, it was most heinously wrong; for it would be nothing short of a presumptuous setting at nought of God's own Law by which they flagrantly proved themselves to be, in a fatal and damning sense, sinners. But it was by the gospel that they had been led to think thus and to act thus; in other words, by Christ himself. Would it not, then, follow that Christ was a minister to them, not of righteousness, but of sin, of damning guilt? The participle "seeking" does not merely mark the time at which they were found to be sinners, but also and indeed much more, the course of conduct by which they proved themselves such. The words, "in Christ," are not equivalent to "through Christ," though the former idea includes the latter; the preposition is used in the same sense as in the sentences, "In God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (<a href="/1_thessalonians/1-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:1</a>); "Of him are ye in Christ Jesus" (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-30.htm">1 Corinthians 1:30</a>); "Sanctified in Christ Jesus" (<a href="/1_corinthians/1-2.htm">1 Corinthians 1:2</a>). It denotes a state of intimate association, union, with Christ, involving justification by necessary consequence. Comp. <a href="/philippians/3-9.htm">Philippians 3:9</a>, "That I may be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ." We ourselves also are found sinners (εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμάρτωλοι); we ourselves also were found sinners. The word "found" hints a certain measure of surprise (comp. <a href="/matthew/1-18.htm">Matthew 1:18</a>; <a href="/acts/8-40.htm">Acts 8:40</a>; <a href="/romans/7-21.htm">Romans 7:21</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/10-12.htm">2 Corinthians 10:12</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/12-20.htm">2 Corinthians 12:20</a>). Cephas was behaving now as if to his painful surprise he had found himself to have been previously acting m a most guilty manner. The word "sinners" appears to denote more than the state of ceremonial uncleanness incurred by violating the prescriptions of Levitical purity; indeed, it meant more even as used by thorough-going ceremonialists (as in ver. 15); it points to the gross outrage which would in the case supposed have been put upon the majesty of God's Law. In the next verse "transgressor" is used as a convertible term. "Ourselves also" - as truly as any Gentile of them all. There is a touch of sarcasm in the clause, having a covert reference to St. Peter having turned his back upon his Gentile brethren as unfit for him to associate with; he thereby was treating them as "sinners." Is therefore Christ the minister of sin? (α΅ρα Ξριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος;); is Christ a minister of sin? Αρα is found in the New Testament besides only in <a href="/luke/18-8.htm">Luke 18:8</a> and <a href="/acts/8-30.htm">Acts 8:30</a>, in both which passages it simply propounds a question, without indicating whether the answer is expected to be negative or affirmative. So Soph., ' (Ed. T.,' α΅ρ ἔφυν κακός; α΅ρ οὐχὶ πᾶς ἄναγνος; The inference here is so shocking that the apostle is unwilling to put it forward except as a question that might fairly be asked upon such premisses. This gives the sentence a less repulsive tone than the reading, which without an interrogative puts it thus: Ἄρα Ξριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος. God forbid (μὴ γένοιτο). "Abhorred be the thought!" we both say; but (the apostle means his interlocutor to understand) since it cannot without horrid impiety be said that Christ was a minister to us of sin and not of righteousness, it follows of necessity that we did not sin against God when we set the works of the Law aside and sought righteousness in Christ alone without any respect had to them. The Greek phrase is one of several renderings which the Septuagint gives to the Hebrew word chali'lah, ad profana, which is frequently used interjectionally to relegate some thought to the category of what is utterly abhorrent and polluted. The Hebrew word is discussed fully in Gesenius's 'Thesaurus,' in verb. St. Paul uses the Greek phrase twice again in this Epistle (once absolutely, Galatians 3:21, and once inweaved in a sentence, Galatians 6:14); ten times absolutely in his Epistle to the Romans (3, 4, 6, etc.). It occurs also <a href="/luke/20-16.htm">Luke 20:16</a>. It is impossible to mend the vigorous rendering of our Authorized Version. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. if, Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. while we seek ζητοῦντες (zētountes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2212.htm">Strong's 2212: </a> To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot. to be justified δικαιωθῆναι (dikaiōthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_1344.htm">Strong's 1344: </a> From dikaios; to render just or innocent. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Christ, Χριστῷ (Christō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. we ourselves αὐτοὶ (autoi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. are found to be εὑρέθημεν (heurethēmen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. sinners, ἁμαρτωλοί (hamartōloi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner. does that make ἆρα (ara) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_686.htm">Strong's 686: </a> Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive. Christ Χριστὸς (Christos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. a minister διάκονος (diakonos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1249.htm">Strong's 1249: </a> Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor. of sin? ἁμαρτίας (hamartias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> From hamartano; a sin. Absolutely not! γένοιτο (genoito) Verb - Aorist Optative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/2-17.htm">Galatians 2:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/2-17.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 2:17 But if while we sought to be (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/2-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 2:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/2-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 2:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>