Galatians 2:11
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Original Language Analysis
ἦλθεν
was come
G2064
ἦλθεν
was come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
3 of 13
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
4 of 13
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 13
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κατὰ
to
G2596
κατὰ
to
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
7 of 13
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
πρόσωπον
the face
G4383
πρόσωπον
the face
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
8 of 13
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
11 of 13
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.Acts 15:1And 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.2 Corinthians 5:16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.Galatians 2:14But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?Matthew 16:23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.2 Corinthians 12:11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.James 3:2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.Galatians 2:7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;Galatians 2:5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.Galatians 2:9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Historical Context
Antioch was the first major Gentile church (Acts 11:19-26), where Jewish and Gentile believers fellowshipped freely without regard for food laws. Peter's earlier vision (Acts 10:9-16) had freed him to eat with Gentiles. His withdrawal from Gentile fellowship in Antioch therefore represented a massive reversal, threatening to divide the church along ethnic lines and undermine the gospel of grace that makes Jews and Gentiles one in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Paul's public confrontation of Peter teach about when private correction is insufficient?
- When is it necessary to oppose respected Christian leaders who undermine the gospel through their actions?
- In what areas might fear of human opinion be leading you into gospel-contradicting behavior?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. The adversative hote de (ὅτε δέ, "but when") shifts to conflict. Peter's arrival eis Antiocheian (εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν, "to Antioch") becomes the stage for dramatic confrontation. The verb antestēn autō kata prosōpon (ἀντέστην αὐτῷ κατὰ πρόσωπον, "I opposed him to his face") uses the strong compound anthistēmi (ἀνθίστημι, "to resist, oppose")—the same verb used for resisting Satan (Ephesians 6:13). Kata prosōpon (κατὰ πρόσωπον, literally "according to face") means direct, public confrontation, not behind-the-back criticism.
The reason: hoti kategnōsmenos ēn (ὅτι κατεγνωσμένος ἦν, "because he stood condemned/was to be blamed"). The perfect passive participle kategnōsmenos indicates Peter placed himself in a condemned state through his actions—he stood self-condemned by his hypocrisy. Paul wasn't establishing new judgment but recognizing Peter's violation of the gospel he himself had received.
This public rebuke of the leading apostle demonstrates that gospel truth transcends human authority and personal relationships. Peter's status as a "pillar" apostle didn't exempt him from correction when his behavior contradicted the gospel. Paul's willingness to confront the most prominent apostle publicly validates his claim to equal apostolic authority and his passionate defense of justification by faith.