1Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus with me also. 2And I went up according to revelation, and laid before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run in vain. 3(But indeed, Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised. ) 4Now this meeting was private because of false brethren brought in secretly, who came in by stealth to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they might bring us into bondage; 5To whom we did not yield in subjection, not even for one hour, so that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6But the gospel that I preach did not come from those reputed to be something. (Whatever they were does not make any difference to me; God does not accept the person of a man. ) For those who are of repute conferred nothing upon me. 7But on the contrary, after seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, exactly as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel of the circumcision; 8(For He Who wrought in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision wrought in me also toward the Gentiles;) 9And after recognizing the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John--those reputed to be pillars--gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, affirming that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10Their only request was that we remember the poor, which very thing I was also diligent to do. 11But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face because he was to be condemned; 12For before certain ones came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles. However, when they came, he drew back and separated himself from the Gentiles, being afraid of those of the circumcision party. 13And the rest of the Jews joined him in this hypocritical act, insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of them all, "If you, being a Jew, are living like the Gentiles, and not according to Judaism, why do you compel the Gentiles to judaize? 15We who are Jews by nature--and not sinners of the Gentiles-- 16Knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but through the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed in Christ Jesus in order that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of law; because by works of law shall no flesh be justified. 17Now then, if we are seeking to be justified in Christ, and we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then the minister of sin? MAY IT NEVER BE! 18For if I build again those things that I destroyed, I am making myself a transgressor. 19For I through law died to works of law, in order that I may live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ, yet I live. Indeed, it is no longer I; but Christ lives in me. For the life that I am now living in the flesh, I live by faith--that very faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness is through works of law, then Christ died in vain." A Faithful Version Copyright © 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 York Publishing Company Post Office Box 1038 Hollister, California 95024-1038 All rights reserved. All Scripture may be freely quoted except for brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means--electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or information storage and retrieval systems, or use of hermeneutical conclusions of copyright owner. Bible Hub |