Galatians 2:12
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Original Language Analysis
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
1 of 22
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
3 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἦλθον
came
G2064
ἦλθον
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
4 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
6 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
G1484
ἐθνῶν
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
10 of 22
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ἦλθον
came
G2064
ἦλθον
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
14 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὑπέστελλεν
he withdrew
G5288
ὑπέστελλεν
he withdrew
Strong's:
G5288
Word #:
15 of 22
to withhold under (out of sight), i.e., (reflexively) to cower or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀφώριζεν
separated
G873
ἀφώριζεν
separated
Strong's:
G873
Word #:
17 of 22
to set off by boundary, i.e., (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc
ἑαυτόν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτόν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
18 of 22
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
φοβούμενος
fearing
G5399
φοβούμενος
fearing
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
19 of 22
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 10:28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.Luke 15:2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.Ephesians 3:6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: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
Jewish Christians faced intense pressure from unbelieving Jews who viewed table fellowship with Gentiles as covenant betrayal. Eating non-kosher food or with uncircumcised Gentiles could result in excommunication from the synagogue, loss of family relationships, and economic persecution. Peter's fear was understandable but inexcusable—he let cultural pressure override gospel truth, threatening to re-erect the dividing wall Christ had demolished (Ephesians 2:14).
Questions for Reflection
- What forms of "fearing those of the circumcision" tempt you to compromise gospel freedom for social acceptance?
- How does gradual withdrawal from gospel truth prove more dangerous than sudden apostasy?
- In what relationships or contexts do you separate yourself from fellow believers due to others' disapproval?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. The temporal marker pro tou gar elthein tinas apo Iakōbou (πρὸ τοῦ γὰρ ἐλθεῖν τινας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβου, "before certain ones came from James") establishes the timeline. Initially, Peter meta tōn ethnōn synēsthien (μετὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν συνήσθιεν, "was eating with the Gentiles")—the imperfect tense indicates habitual practice, not isolated incidents.
The dramatic shift: hote de ēlthon, hypestellen kai aphōrizen heauton (ὅτε δὲ ἦλθον, ὑπέστελλεν καὶ ἀφώριζεν ἑαυτόν, "when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself"). The imperfect verbs show gradual, progressive action—Peter didn't immediately abandon Gentile fellowship but slowly pulled away. Hypostellō (ὑποστέλλω) means to draw back, shrink away; aphōrizō (ἀφορίζω) means to separate, mark boundaries—the same word used for excommunication.
The motivation: phoboumenos tous ek peritomēs (φοβούμενος τοὺς ἐκ περιτομῆς, "fearing those of the circumcision"). Fear (phobos, φόβος) of the circumcision party—conservative Jewish Christians who insisted on maintaining food laws—drove Peter's hypocrisy. This people-pleasing contradicted the freedom Peter himself had experienced and proclaimed. When fear of man overcomes fear of God, even apostles can betray the gospel they preach.