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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 2:4 This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/48_Gal_02_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 2:4 - The Council at Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/2-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/2-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm" title="Galatians 2:3">◄</a> Galatians 2:4 <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm" title="Galatians 2:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/2.htm">New International Version</a> This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. <a href="/nlt/galatians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. <a href="/esv/galatians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— <a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. <a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> even because of the false brothers brought in secretly, who came in by stealth to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus that they will enslave us, <a href="/kjv/galatians/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: <a href="/nkjv/galatians/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), <a href="/nasb_/galatians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. <a href="/nasb/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But it was because of the false brethren who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. <a href="/lsb/galatians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But this was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. <a href="/amp/galatians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> My concern was because of the false brothers [those people masquerading as Christians] who had been secretly smuggled in [to the community of believers]. They had slipped in to spy on the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us back into bondage [under the Law of Moses]. <a href="/csb/galatians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> This issue arose because of false brothers smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. <a href="/asv/galatians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> and 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: <a href="/cev/galatians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We went there because of those who pretended to be followers and had sneaked in among us as spies. They had come to take away the freedom Christ Jesus had given us, and they were trying to make us their slaves. <a href="/erv/galatians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> and 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: <a href="/gwt/galatians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> False Christians were brought in. They slipped in as spies to learn about the freedom Christ Jesus gives us. They hoped to find a way to control us. <a href="/gnt/galatians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> although some wanted it done. Pretending to be believers, these men slipped into our group as spies, in order to find out about the freedom we have through our union with Christ Jesus. They wanted to make slaves of us, <a href="/isv/galatians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> However, false brothers were secretly brought in. They slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in the Messiah Jesus so that they might enslave us. <a href="/net/galatians/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. <a href="/nheb/galatians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; <a href="/wbt/galatians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: <a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet there was danger of this through the false brethren secretly introduced into the Church, who had stolen in to spy out the freedom which is ours in Christ Jesus, in order to rob us of it.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/galatians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. <a href="/web/galatians/2.htm">World English Bible</a> This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and [that] because of the false brothers brought in unaware, who came in secretly to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us under bondage, <a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> even because of the false brothers brought in secretly, who came in by stealth to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus that they will enslave us, <a href="/ylt/galatians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and that because of the false brethren brought in unawares, who did come in privily to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, that us they might bring under bondage, <a href="/slt/galatians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And through false brethren introduced privately, who came in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might reduce us to slavery:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privately to spy our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> but only because of false brothers, who were brought in unknowingly. They entered secretly to spy on our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might reduce us to servitude. <a href="/nabre/galatians/2.htm">New American Bible</a> but because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us— <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us—<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But because of the false brethren who had been brought in unknown to us to spy out the freedom which we have in Jesus Christ, with the intention of enslaving us; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But because of false brethren who came in to spy on the liberty that we have in Yeshua The Messiah, so as to enslave me,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> I acted thus indeed on account of false brethren, stealthily brought in, who stole in to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, <a href="/godbey/galatians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> but on account of the false brethren having crept in, who came in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they shall bring us into bondage: <a href="/haweis/galatians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: <a href="/mace/galatians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude; <a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet there was danger of this through the false brethren secretly introduced into the Church, who had stolen in to spy out the freedom which is ours in Christ Jesus, in order to rob us of it. <a href="/worrell/galatians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and that was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, who, indeed, crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; <a href="/worsley/galatians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and that because of the false brethren clandestinely introduced, who had crept in as spies upon our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: <a href="/parallel/galatians/2-4.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=228" 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">The Council at Jerusalem</a> …3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">This issue arose</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">because</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">some</a> <a href="/greek/5569.htm" title="5569: pseudadelphous (N-AMP) -- A false brother, pretend Christian. From pseudes and adephos; a spurious brother, i.e. Pretended associate.">false brothers</a> <a href="/greek/3748.htm" title="3748: hoitines (RelPro-NMP) -- Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. "></a> <a href="/greek/3922.htm" title="3922: pareisēlthon (V-AIA-3P) -- From para and eiserchomai; to come in alongside, i.e. Supervene additionally or steathily.">had come in</a> <a href="/greek/3920.htm" title="3920: pareisaktous (Adj-AMP) -- Brought in secretly, surreptitious. From pareisago; smuggled in: unawares brought in.">under false pretenses</a> <a href="/greek/2684.htm" title="2684: kataskopēsai (V-ANA) -- To view closely, inspect, spy out. From kataskopos; to be a sentinel, i.e. To inspect insidiously.">to spy on</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1657.htm" title="1657: eleutherian (N-AFS) -- Freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery. From eleutheros; freedom.">freedom</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hēn (RelPro-AFS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echomen (V-PIA-1P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold."></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/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-DMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus,</a> <a href="/greek/2443.htm" title="2443: hina (Conj) -- In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.">in order</a> <a href="/greek/2615.htm" title="2615: katadoulōsousin (V-FIA-3P) -- To enslave. From kata and douloo; to enslave utterly.">to enslave</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmas (PPro-A1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us.</a> 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.…<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="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1-5</a> Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. / Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. ... <a href="/2_corinthians/11-26.htm">2 Corinthians 11:26</a> In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers, <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a> For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. <a href="/philippians/3-2.htm">Philippians 3:2</a> Watch out for those dogs, those workers of evil, those mutilators of the flesh! <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. <a href="/jude/1-4.htm">Jude 1:4</a> For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. <a href="/acts/15-24.htm">Acts 15:24</a> It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-3.htm">2 Corinthians 11:3-4</a> I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ. / For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it very easily. <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a> See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">2 Timothy 3:6</a> They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions, <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a> Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. <a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Romans 16:17-18</a> Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-3</a> Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. / They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. <a href="/2_timothy/2-17.htm">2 Timothy 2:17-18</a> and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, / who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And that because of false brothers unawares brought in, who came in privately to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:because.<a href="/galatians/5-10.htm">Galatians 5:10,12</a> I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be… <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1,24</a> And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved… <a href="/acts/20-30.htm">Acts 20:30</a> Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.unawares.<a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">2 Timothy 3:6</a> For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,<a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1,2</a> But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction… <a href="/jude/1-4.htm">Jude 1:4</a> For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.liberty.<a href="/galatians/3-23.htm">Galatians 3:23-26</a> But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed… <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1,13</a> Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage… <a href="/psalms/51-12.htm">Psalm 51:12</a> Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.bring.<a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Galatians 4:3,9,10,25</a> Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: … <a href="/isaiah/51-23.htm">Isaiah 51:23</a> But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.<a href="/2_corinthians/11-20.htm">2 Corinthians 11:20</a> For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/1-24.htm">Account</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-20.htm">Bondage</a> <a href="/galatians/1-22.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">Church</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-24.htm">Condition</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-29.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/galatians/1-4.htm">Free</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-11.htm">Introduced</a> <a href="/galatians/1-12.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-17.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-1.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/galatians/1-16.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-11.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/galatians/2-2.htm">Privately</a> <a href="/acts/16-37.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/romans/8-38.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/romans/11-7.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/acts/27-30.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-23.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-33.htm">Slipped</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/19-3.htm">Spy</a> <a href="/matthew/28-13.htm">Stole</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-5.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/luke/21-34.htm">Unawares</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Account</a> <a href="/galatians/4-3.htm">Bondage</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Church</a> <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Condition</a> <a href="/philippians/2-30.htm">Danger</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Freedom</a> <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Introduced</a> <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/galatians/2-5.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ours</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Privately</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Privily</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-6.htm">Ranks</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-14.htm">Searching</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-5.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">Slipped</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Spy</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-28.htm">Stole</a> <a href="/genesis/30-33.htm">Stolen</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Unawares</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>This issue arose The context of this phrase refers to the controversy in the early church regarding the necessity of following Jewish law, particularly circumcision, for Gentile converts. This issue was significant in the early church as it addressed the core of the gospel message and the nature of salvation by grace through faith.because some false brothers The term "false brothers" indicates individuals who claimed to be part of the Christian community but were not genuine in their faith or intentions. These individuals were likely Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile Christians must adhere to Jewish customs. This reflects the tension between Jewish and Gentile believers in the early church.had come in under false pretenses These false brothers infiltrated the Christian community with deceitful intentions. Their presence was not for fellowship or genuine faith but to impose legalistic practices. This highlights the early church's struggle with maintaining doctrinal purity and the challenges of false teachings.to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus The freedom mentioned here refers to liberation from the Mosaic Law's requirements, emphasizing salvation through faith in Christ alone. This freedom was a central theme in Paul's teachings, contrasting the new covenant of grace with the old covenant of the law. The false brothers sought to undermine this freedom by reintroducing legalistic bondage.in order to enslave us The goal of these false brothers was to bring believers back under the yoke of the law, which Paul equates with spiritual slavery. This reflects the broader biblical theme of freedom versus bondage, where true freedom is found in Christ, and any return to legalism is seen as a regression to slavery. This echoes the warnings in other Pauline epistles against returning to the law after receiving grace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> - The apostle who wrote the letter to the Galatians, addressing issues of false teachings and defending the true Gospel. 2. <a href="/topical/f/false_brothers.htm">False Brothers</a> - Individuals who infiltrated the early Christian community with the intent to undermine the freedom found in Christ by promoting legalism. 3. <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> - The liberty believers have from the law and sin through faith in Jesus Christ. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_council.htm">Jerusalem Council</a> - The event where early church leaders, including Paul, discussed the requirements for Gentile believers, which is the broader context of this passage. 5. <a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a> - The region where the churches were located that Paul was addressing in this letter.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/guard_against_false_teachings.htm">Guard Against False Teachings</a> Believers must be vigilant against teachings that distort the Gospel and lead to spiritual bondage. <a href="/topical/v/value_of_spiritual_freedom.htm">Value of Spiritual Freedom</a> Understand and cherish the freedom that comes from faith in Christ, which liberates us from the law and sin. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_fellowship.htm">Discernment in Fellowship</a> Exercise discernment in identifying those who may have ulterior motives within the church community. <a href="/topical/s/stand_firm_in_the_gospel.htm">Stand Firm in the Gospel</a> Be steadfast in the truth of the Gospel, resisting any attempts to add legalistic requirements to faith. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> Embrace the diversity within the body of Christ, recognizing that all believers, Jew and Gentile, are united in Christ.<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/who_were_early_christian_judaizers.htm">Who were the Judaizers in early Christianity?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_false_guilt.htm">What defines false guilt?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_galatians_3_28.htm">What is the meaning of Galatians 3:28?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_spiritual_bondage.htm">What defines spiritual bondage?</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>(4) And that because of . . .--The sense is here, in any case, broken and imperfect. It seems, on the whole, best to supply the missing clause thus: "But (or, though) on account of false brethren . . . [I was urged to have him circumcised]." The leaders of the Church at Jerusalem took the ground, not of insisting upon circumcision as a necessity, but rather advising it as a matter of policy, to allay the ill feeling excited against St. Paul by designing men, traitors in the camp, who, though Christians in name, were Jews at heart. Many commentators, however, adopt the rendering of the Authorised version: "And that because of false (or rather, the false) brethren," understanding that he was not compelled to be circumcised. The reason why Titus was not circumcised was the evidently interested and treacherous motives of the Judaising partisans who clamoured for it.Unawares brought in, who came in privily.--These two words correspond to each other in the Greek, and bring out in a graphic and forcible way the insidious and designing character of the party most violently opposed to St. Paul. Professing to be Christians, they were really Jews of the narrowest sort, who only entered into the Church to spy into and restrict its liberties.Which we have in Christ Jesus.--The Christian Church is the Messianic kingdom, which derives all its attributes directly from its Head. If it is free, Christ has won for it its freedom, by relieving it from the burden of the Law, by abolishing race distinctions, and offering all the Messianic privileges to those who through faith are united to Him.Bring us into bondage.--The "bondage" is, in the first instance, that of the Mosaic law, and through it the personal domination of the Jewish partisans.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - And that because of false brethren unawares brought in (διὰ δὲ τοὺς παρεισάκτους ψευδαδέλφους); and that because of the false brethren without warrant brought in. The conjunction δὲ often is not adversative, but only introduces a fresh thought of a qualifying or explanatory character (comp. ἀνέβην δὲ and κατ ἰδίαμ δὲ of ver. 2). The rendering of our English Version represents the connection with the preceding sentence quite correctly. The designation, "false brethren," after the analogy of "false apostles," "false prophets" (ψευδαπόστολοι, ψευδοπροφῆται, <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13</a>; <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a>), were those who were not really brethren in Christ, but had superinduced the profession of such over a state of mind radically incompatible with it; not children of God through faith in Christ Jesus," but only simulating faith in Christ; outwardly "baptized into Christ," but not inwardly, and therefore not really. The loud demand which those false brethren were making, that all Gentile converts should be circumcised, was distinctly rested by them upon the principle that otherwise those converts were not qualified for sonship in God's family or for admission to Church fellowship with, at any rate, the believing circumcision. This demand of theirs, made upon this pernicious principle, it was that had raised the present controversy, and had brought Paul and his fellow-deputies to Jerusalem. If, under such circumstances, Titus, with St. Paul's concurrence, had consented to be circumcised, then, whatever the motive of his consenting, it would have seemed to those false brethren, and not to them only, but indeed to the Church at large, that all had agreed in recognizing the soundness of that principle of theirs that circumcision was indispensable for perfect Divine acceptance. This consideration, we may believe, Titus and St. Paul now urged upon those who, not themselves alleging that principle, nor even allowing it to be true, yet, on other grounds, were recommending and pressing for Titus's circumcision. And the argument prevailed with them. They withdrew that pressure of theirs, and consented to leave Titus to stand there before the Church and the world, a claimant of full admission to all Christian fellowship while still in uncircumcision. It was those false brethren themselves, then, that made it impossible at the present juncture that those who held fast to the truth of the gospel should accept counsels of compromise or conciliation. In matters of indifference (ἀδιάφορα) there is a time for conciliation - this no one could ever be more ready to see and act upon than St. Paul; but there is also a time for the unbending assertion of truth, and the clamours of the false brethren made the present to be one of the latter kind. In that particular juncture of Church development, the doctrine itself of the absolute justification of men through faith in Christ was at stake. If Titus was not qualified for Christian fellowship by simply his faith in Christ, then neither was he qualified for acceptance with God by simply his faith. Without warrant brought in. In the compound verbal παρεισάκτους, the preposition παρὰ, appears to point, not so much to the manner in which they had been brought in, as e.g. stealthily, craftily, as to the circumstance that they had no business to be brought in at all; they were an alien brood. The Greek glosselogists, Hesychius, Photius, and Suidas, render it ἀλλότριος, i.e. alien. In <a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm">2 Peter 1:1</a>, παρεισάξουσιν αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας, reference is made to the alien character of the teaching spoken cf. The apostle's feeling is that men who do not accept the truth that through faith in Christ we are justified, and through faith only, have no proper place in the Church of Christ (comp. <a href="/galatians/5-4.htm">Galatians 5:4, 5</a>). If the question be asked - Who brought them in? the parable of the tares suggests the answer - The devil (comp. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">2 Corinthians 11:15</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">2 Corinthians 2:11</a>). Who came in privily (οἵτινες παρεισῆλθον); a set of men who without warrant came in. The preposition παρὰ in the verb has the same force as it has in παρεισάκτους. So also in παριεσέδυσαν (<a href="/jude/1-4.htm">Jude 1:4</a>). To spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus (κατασκοπῆσαι τὴν ἐλευθερίαν ἡμῶν η{ν ἔχομεν ἐν Ξριστῷ Ἰησοῦ); to spy out that liberty of ours which, etc. These men had come into the Church prepared to detect and to regard with the keenest dislike anything, either in doctrine or in Church action, which would infringe upon their own legalism, and to wage war upon it. For this notion of hostile intent is strongly suggested by the verb "to spy out" (cf. <a href="/2_kings/10-3.htm">2 Kings 10:3</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/19-3.htm">1 Chronicles 19:3</a>; and κατασκοπεῦσαι in <a href="/joshua/2-2.htm">Joshua 2:2</a>). The infinitive (of purpose), viewed in reference to the men themselves, can be understood only of their disposed-ness to make this use of their membership; for they can hardly be supposed to have entered into the Church for that definite object; but the apostle views them as emissaries of the great enemy; Satan's design thus to wage war with our gospel liberty (comp. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13, 15</a>) is by a bold figure ascribed in this infinitive to his instruments. This liberty means the whole spirit of freedom which faith in Christ imparts to the Christian, including, for one thing, his emancipation from the yoke of ceremonialism, but containing also more. That they might bring us into bondage (ἵνα ἡμᾶς καταδουλῶσουσιν [Receptus, καταδουλώσωνται], The reading of six of the uncial manuscripts is καταδουλώσουσιν; of three, σωσιν; of one, -σωνται. The variation in the mood of the verb is immaterial; for the construction of ἵνα (of purpose) with an indicative, though strange to the eye of the student of classical Greek, is not foreign to the writers of the New Testament; but the variation in the voice affects the sense. Καταδουλώσωνται would mean "bring into bondage to themselves," which most probably is not the writer's meaning; he apparently means:rather, "deprive us of our liberty by enslaving us to the Law" (cf. ch. 4:25; 5:1). The simple verb δουλόω, occurs repeatedly; the compound καταδουλόω here and in <a href="/2_corinthians/11-20.htm">2 Corinthians 11:20</a>, intensifies the sense: degrade us into slavery. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[This issue arose] δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. because διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. [some] τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. false brothers ψευδαδέλφους (pseudadelphous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5569.htm">Strong's 5569: </a> A false brother, pretend Christian. From pseudes and adephos; a spurious brother, i.e. Pretended associate. were brought in παρεισῆλθον (pareisēlthon) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3922.htm">Strong's 3922: </a> From para and eiserchomai; to come in alongside, i.e. Supervene additionally or steathily. under false pretenses παρεισάκτους (pareisaktous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3920.htm">Strong's 3920: </a> Brought in secretly, surreptitious. From pareisago; smuggled in: unawares brought in. to spy on κατασκοπῆσαι (kataskopēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2684.htm">Strong's 2684: </a> To view closely, inspect, spy out. From kataskopos; to be a sentinel, i.e. To inspect insidiously. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. freedom ἐλευθερίαν (eleutherian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1657.htm">Strong's 1657: </a> Freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery. From eleutheros; freedom. 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. Jesus, Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. in order ἵνα (hina) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2443.htm">Strong's 2443: </a> In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. to enslave καταδουλώσουσιν (katadoulōsousin) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2615.htm">Strong's 2615: </a> To enslave. From kata and douloo; to enslave utterly. us. ἡμᾶς (hēmas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 2:4 This was because of the false brothers (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:5" /></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>