The Council at Jerusalem

1Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2[a]It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4Yet 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. 5But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6But from those who [b]were of considerable repute (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me. 7But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel [c]to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been [d]to the circumcised 8(for He who was at work for Peter in his apostleship [e]to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), 9and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, [f]James and [g]Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right [h]hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.

Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul

11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he [i]stood condemned. 12For prior to the coming of some men from [j]James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, fearing those from the circumcision. 13The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were not [k]straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?[l]

15“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from the Gentiles; 16nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of [m]the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of [n]the Law; since by works of [o]the Law no [p]flesh will be justified. 17But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? [q]Far from it! 18For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a wrongdoer. 19For through [r]the Law I died to [s]the Law, so that I might live for God. 20I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and [t]the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through [u]the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

[a] 2 Lit according to revelation I went up
[b] 6 Lit reputed as being something
[c] 7 Lit of the uncircumcision; i.e., to Gentiles
[d] 7 Lit of the circumcision; i.e., to Jews
[e] 8 See note 2 v 7
[f] 9 Or Jacob
[g] 9 I.e., Peter
[h] 9 Lit hands
[i] 11 Or was to be condemned; lit was one who was condemned; or was self-condemned
[j] 12 Or Jacob
[k] 14 Or progressing toward; lit walking straightly
[l] 14 Some close the direct quotation here, others extend it through v 21
[m] 16 Or law
[n] 16 Or law
[o] 16 Or law
[p] 16 Or mortal man
[q] 17 Lit May it never happen!
[r] 19 Or law
[s] 19 Or law
[t] 20 Or insofar as I
[u] 21 Or law