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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 2:18 If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/2-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/48_Gal_02_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 2:18 - Paul Confronts Cephas" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker." /><script type="application/javascript" 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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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/galatians/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/galatians/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/galatians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if I build again these things that I had torn down, I prove myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/galatians/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/galatians/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/galatians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if I rebuild what I have <i>once</i> destroyed, I prove myself to be a wrongdoer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/galatians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For if I rebuild what I have <i>once</i> destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/galatians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if I rebuild what I have <i>once</i> destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/galatians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For if I [or anyone else should] rebuild [through word or by practice] what I once tore down [the belief that observing the Law is essential for salvation], I prove myself to be a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/galatians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/galatians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I rebuild the system I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/galatians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/galatians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But if I tear down something and then build it again, I prove that I was wrong at first. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/galatians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/galatians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If I rebuild something that I've torn down, I admit that I was wrong to tear it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/galatians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If I start to rebuild the system of Law that I tore down, then I show myself to be someone who breaks the Law. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/galatians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For if I rebuild something that I tore down, I demonstrate that I am a wrongdoer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/galatians/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But if I build up again those things I once destroyed, I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God's law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/galatians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/galatians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Why, if I am now rebuilding that structure of sin which I had demolished, I am thereby constituting myself a transgressor;<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/galatians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I rebuild what I have already torn down, I prove myself to be a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/galatians/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/galatians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For if the things I threw down, these again I build up, I set myself forth [as] a transgressor;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/galatians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if I build again these things that I had torn down, I prove myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/galatians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for if the things I threw down, these again I build up, a transgressor I set myself forth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/galatians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if what I destroy, these I build again, I unite myself with the transgressor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/galatians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For if I build up again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a prevaricator. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/galatians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For if I rebuild the things that I have destroyed, I establish myself as a prevaricator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/galatians/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if I am building up again those things that I tore down, then I show myself to be a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/galatians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if I build up again the very things that I once tore down, then I demonstrate that I am a transgressor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/galatians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I will prove myself to be a transgressor of the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For if I build those things again that I once destroyed, I have shown about myself that I violate The Covenant.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/galatians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For if I build again those things which I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/galatians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For if I again build the things which I have destroyed, I constitute myself a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/galatians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For if I build up again the very same things which I have pulled down, I stamp myself a transgressor.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/galatians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />on the contrary, if I re-establish what I have demolish'd, I show myself a prevaricator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/galatians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Why, if I am now rebuilding that structure of sin which I had demolished, I am thereby constituting myself a transgressor;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/galatians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />For, if I am building up again, what I pulled down, I show myself <i>to be</i> a transgressor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/galatians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />God forbid. And if I build again the same <i>things</i> which I demolished, I shew myself a transgressor: for I through the law am dead to the law,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/galatians/2-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=386" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Paul Confronts Cephas</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>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! <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></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/3618.htm" title="3618: oikodomō (V-PIA-1S) -- From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.">I rebuild</a> <a href="/greek/3825.htm" title="3825: palin (Adv) -- Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ha (RelPro-ANP) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/2647.htm" title="2647: katelysa (V-AIA-1S) -- From kata and luo; to loosen down, i.e. to demolish; specially to halt for the night.">I have already torn down,</a> <a href="/greek/4921.htm" title="4921: synistanō (V-PIA-1S) -- To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; To be composed of, cohere. ">I prove</a> <a href="/greek/1683.htm" title="1683: emauton (PPro-AM1S) -- Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.">myself</a> <a href="/greek/3848.htm" title="3848: parabatēn (N-AMS) -- A transgressor, law-breaker. From parabaino; a violator.">to be a lawbreaker.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>For through the law I died to the law so that I might live to God.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-1.htm">Romans 6:1-2</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-4.htm">Romans 7:4-6</a></span><br />Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-15.htm">Romans 7:15-20</a></span><br />I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. / And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. / In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-1.htm">Romans 8:1-2</a></span><br />Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. / For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Philippians 3:7-9</a></span><br />But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-26.htm">Hebrews 10:26-29</a></span><br />If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. / Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a></span><br />Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-20.htm">Colossians 2:20-23</a></span><br />If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: / “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? / These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-15.htm">Ephesians 2:15</a></span><br />by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10-11</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm">Acts 15:10-11</a></span><br />Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? / On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-31.htm">Romans 3:31</a></span><br />Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm">1 Corinthians 3:10-15</a></span><br />By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. / For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. / If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/2-4.htm">Galatians 2:4,5,12-16,21</a></b></br> 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: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9-12</a></b></br> But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/galatians/5-11.htm">Galatians 5:11</a></b></br> And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/14-26.htm">Build</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">Constitute</a> <a href="/romans/11-3.htm">Demolished</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-10.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/7-11.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/romans/2-27.htm">Law-Breaker</a> <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Once</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/13-5.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/acts/15-16.htm">Rebuild</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">Rebuilding</a> <a href="/galatians/2-17.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-11.htm">Structure</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-4.htm">Thereby</a> <a href="/acts/27-29.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-20.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/acts/16-22.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/romans/2-27.htm">Transgressor</a> <a href="/romans/13-4.htm">Wrongdoer</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ephesians/4-16.htm">Build</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/11-11.htm">Constitute</a> <a href="/numbers/21-30.htm">Demolished</a> <a href="/galatians/5-15.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/galatians/5-15.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/galatians/3-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/romans/2-27.htm">Law-Breaker</a> <a href="/galatians/3-15.htm">Once</a> <a href="/galatians/6-4.htm">Prove</a> <a href="/ezra/1-3.htm">Rebuild</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-27.htm">Rebuilding</a> <a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/ephesians/2-21.htm">Structure</a> <a href="/galatians/6-2.htm">Thereby</a> <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Threw</a> <a href="/revelation/8-7.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/genesis/37-29.htm">Tore</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-14.htm">Transgressor</a> <a href="/colossians/3-25.htm">Wrongdoer</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">He shows when he went up again to Jerusalem, and for what purpose;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/2-3.htm">and that Titus was not circumcised;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/2-11.htm">and that he resisted Peter, and told him the reason;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><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></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/galatians/2-20.htm">and that they live not in sin, who are so justified.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>If I rebuild what I have already torn down</b><br>This phrase reflects Paul's argument against reverting to the old Jewish law after embracing the new covenant in Christ. The "rebuilding" symbolizes returning to the legalistic practices of the Mosaic Law, which Paul argues have been fulfilled and set aside through Christ's sacrifice. In the broader context of Galatians, Paul is addressing the issue of Judaizers who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish customs. This rebuilding is akin to re-establishing a system that Christ has already completed and rendered obsolete. Theologically, it underscores the futility of returning to the law for justification when faith in Christ is the new foundation (<a href="/galatians/3.htm">Galatians 3:1-3</a>).<p><b>I prove myself to be a lawbreaker</b><br>By attempting to return to the law, Paul suggests that one becomes a transgressor because the law's purpose was to point to Christ and highlight humanity's inability to achieve righteousness through works. In <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a>, Paul explains that the law makes us conscious of sin, not righteous. Thus, rebuilding the law implies a rejection of the grace offered through Christ, making one guilty of not fully trusting in the sufficiency of His sacrifice. Historically, this reflects the early church's struggle to define the role of the law in the life of believers, a theme also seen in <a href="/acts/15.htm">Acts 15</a> during the Jerusalem Council. Theologically, it emphasizes the transition from the old covenant to the new, where righteousness is obtained through faith, not adherence to the law.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing issues of law and grace.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/galatia.htm">Galatia</a></b><br>A region in modern-day Turkey where the recipients of the letter resided.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter (Cephas)</a></b><br>Mentioned earlier in <a href="/bsb/galatians/2.htm">Galatians 2</a>, he is a key figure in the context of the chapter, representing the Jewish Christian perspective.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_judaizers.htm">The Judaizers</a></b><br>A group advocating for adherence to Jewish law among Gentile Christians, which Paul opposes.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jerusalem_council.htm">The Jerusalem Council</a></b><br>An event referenced in the broader context of Galatians, where early church leaders discussed the role of the Mosaic Law for Gentile believers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_law_and_grace.htm">Understanding the Law and Grace</a></b><br>Paul emphasizes that returning to the law after accepting grace is contradictory. Believers are called to live in the freedom of grace, not under the bondage of the law.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a></b><br>Our identity is not based on adherence to the law but on our relationship with Christ. This new identity should guide our actions and decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consistency_in_faith.htm">Consistency in Faith</a></b><br>Rebuilding what was torn down (i.e., returning to the law) shows inconsistency in faith. Believers should remain steadfast in the truth of the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_legalism.htm">The Danger of Legalism</a></b><br>Legalism can lead to self-righteousness and a false sense of security. True righteousness comes from faith in Christ alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a></b><br>The Christian life is empowered by the Holy Spirit, not by human efforts to keep the law. This calls for a daily reliance on the Spirit's guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'nothing_is_impossible_with_god'_mean.htm">What is the meaning of 'One New Man'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_synod.htm">What is Kingdom Race Theology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_artaxerxes'_permission_to_nehemiah_true.htm">How historically credible is it that King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/purpose_of_the_jerusalem_council.htm">What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council?</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>(18) But Christ is not a minister of sin. The thought is not to be tolerated. For, on the contrary, the sin is seen, not in leaving the Law for Christ, but in going back from Christ to the Law. The sin is seen doubly: for on one theory--the theory that the Law is valid--it was wrong to give it up; while on the other theory, that Christianity has taken its place, it is still more wrong to restore the fabric that has once been broken down.<p><span class= "bld">For.</span>--The connection is with the words immediately preceding: "God forbid that Christ should be the minister of sin." The idea is absurd as well as profane. <span class= "ital">For,</span> instead of the Pauline Christian (who follows Christianity to its logical results) being the sinner, it is really the Judaising Christian who stands self-condemned--<span class= "ital">i.e.,</span> in returning to what he has forsaken.<p><span class= "bld">If I build again.</span>--The first person is used out of delicate consideration for his opponents. The Apostle is going to put a supposed case, which really represents what they were doing; but in order to soften the directness of the reference he takes it, as it were, upon himself.<p>St. Paul is fond of metaphors taken from building. Comp. <a href="/romans/15-20.htm" title="Yes, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation:">Romans 15:20</a> (building upon another man's foundation), <a href="/context/1_corinthians/3-10.htm" title="According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.">1Corinthians 3:10-14</a> (Christ the foundation), <a href="/context/ephesians/2-20.htm" title="And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;">Ephesians 2:20-22</a> (the Church built on the foundation of Apostles and prophets), and the words "edify" and "edification" wherever they occur. The idea of "pulling down" or "destroying" is also frequently met with. So in <a href="/romans/14-20.htm" title="For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eats with offense.">Romans 14:20</a> ("for meat destroy not the work of God," the same word as here used, in opposition to "edify," immediately before); <a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm" title="For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.">2Corinthians 5:1</a> ("if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved"--pulled down or destroyed); <a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm" title="(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)">2Corinthians 10:4</a> ("mighty to the pulling down of strongholds")--a different word in the Greek, but similar in meaning. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For if I build again the things which I destroyed</span> (<span class="greek">εἰ γὰρ α} κατέλυσα ταῦτα</span> <span class="greek">πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ</span>); <span class="accented">for if I am building up again the things which I pulled down. <span class="cmt_word"></span>I make myself a transgressor</span> (<span class="greek">παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν</span> <span class="greek">συνίστημι</span> [or, <span class="greek">συνιστάνω</span> another form of the same verb]); <span class="accented">a transgressor is what I am showing my own self to be.</span> I must be wrong one way or the other; if I am right now, was wrong then; and from the very nature of the case now in hand, wrong exceedingly; no less than an absolute transgressor. This word "transgressor" denotes, not one who merely happens to break, perchance inadverdently, some precept of the Law, but one who, perhaps in consequence of even one act of wilful transgression, is to be regarded as trampling upon the authority of the Law altogether (comp. <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25, 27</a>; <a href="/james/2-9.htm">James 2:9, 11</a>, which are the only places of the New Testament in which the word occurs; it is therefore a full equivalent to the word "sinner" of ver. 17). The Greek verb <span class="greek">συνιστάνω</span>, "to put forward in a clear light," is used similarly in <a href="/2_corinthians/6-4.htm">2 Corinthians 6:4</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/7-11.htm">2 Corinthians 7:11</a>. It is much debated, and is certainly nowise clear, how far down in the chapter the rebuke addressed to St. Peter extends. If it does not reach to the end of the chapter, as some think it does, the break may be very well placed at the end of this verse. For this verse clearly relates to St. Peter, whether actually addressed to him or not; notwithstanding that the verbs are in the hypothetical first person singular, they cannot be taken as referred to St. Paul, not being at all applicable to his case. On the other hand, with the nineteenth verse the first person is plainly used by St. Paul with reference to his own self, which is indeed marked by the emphatic <span class="greek">ἐγὼ</span> with which it opens. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/galatians/2-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I rebuild</span><br /><span class="grk">οἰκοδομῶ</span> <span class="translit">(oikodomō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3618.htm">Strong's 3618: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="grk">ταῦτα</span> <span class="translit">(tauta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have already torn down,</span><br /><span class="grk">κατέλυσα</span> <span class="translit">(katelysa)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2647.htm">Strong's 2647: </a> </span><span class="str2">From kata and luo; to loosen down, i.e. to demolish; specially to halt for the night.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I prove</span><br /><span class="grk">συνιστάνω</span> <span class="translit">(synistanō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4921.htm">Strong's 4921: </a> </span><span class="str2">To place together, commend, prove, exhibit; instrans: I stand with; To be composed of, cohere. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">myself</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐμαυτὸν</span> <span class="translit">(emauton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1683.htm">Strong's 1683: </a> </span><span class="str2">Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[to be] a lawbreaker.</span><br /><span class="grk">παραβάτην</span> <span class="translit">(parabatēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3848.htm">Strong's 3848: </a> </span><span class="str2">A transgressor, law-breaker. From parabaino; a violator.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/galatians/2-18.htm">Galatians 2:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/galatians/2-18.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 2:18 For if I build up again those (Gal. Ga) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/galatians/2-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Galatians 2:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/galatians/2-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Galatians 2:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Galatians 2:19" /></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>