Galatians 2:14
But 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?
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
But
G235
ἀλλ'
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 30
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
εἶδον
I saw
G1492
εἶδον
I saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 30
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 30
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὀρθοποδοῦσιν
they walked
G3716
ὀρθοποδοῦσιν
they walked
Strong's:
G3716
Word #:
6 of 30
to be straight-footed, i.e., (figuratively) to go directly forward
πρὸς
according to
G4314
πρὸς
according to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 30
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρῳ
unto Peter
G4074
Πέτρῳ
unto Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
14 of 30
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἔμπροσθεν
before
G1715
ἔμπροσθεν
before
Strong's:
G1715
Word #:
15 of 30
in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)
ὑπάρχων
being
G5225
ὑπάρχων
being
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
20 of 30
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἰουδαϊκῶς
as do the Jews
G2452
Ἰουδαϊκῶς
as do the Jews
Strong's:
G2452
Word #:
25 of 30
judacally or in a manner resembling a judaean
τί
why
G5101
τί
why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
26 of 30
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνη
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
28 of 30
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
Cross References
Galatians 2:5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.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.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.Proverbs 2:7He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.1 Timothy 5:20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.Galatians 6:12As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Historical Context
"Judaizing" meant adopting Jewish identity markers—circumcision, food laws, Sabbath observance—not merely believing in the Jewish Messiah. Peter's behavior sent the message that Gentile converts were second-class Christians unless they became culturally Jewish. This contradicted the Jerusalem Council's decision (Acts 15:19-20) and made salvation depend on ethnicity plus faith, destroying the gospel's universality.
Questions for Reflection
- What cultural conformity do modern Christians subtly require beyond faith in Christ for full acceptance?
- How can your actions communicate theological messages that contradict your stated beliefs?
- In what ways might you be "compelling others to Judaize" by making your cultural preferences conditions for Christian fellowship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But 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? The verb orthopodousin (ὀρθοποδοῦσιν, "walk uprightly") means to walk straight, not deviating—they were walking crookedly relative to tēn alētheian tou euaggeliou (τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, "the truth of the gospel"). Paul's response: public confrontation emprosthen pantōn (ἔμπροσθεν πάντων, "before all")—since Peter's sin was public, correction must be too.
Paul's argument devastates Peter's position through logical exposure: ei sy Ioudaios hyparchōn ethnikōs kai ouchi Ioudaikōs zēs (εἰ σὺ Ἰουδαῖος ὑπάρχων ἐθνικῶς καὶ οὐχὶ Ἰουδαϊκῶς ζῇς, "if you, being a Jew, live in Gentile manner and not Jewish manner"). The participle hyparchōn (ὑπάρχων, "being/existing as") acknowledges Peter's Jewish identity, while the adverb ethnikōs (ἐθνικῶς, "Gentile-wise") describes his previous lifestyle—eating non-kosher food, fellowshipping freely with Gentiles.
The devastating question: pōs ta ethnē anagkazeis ioudaizein (πῶς τὰ ἔθνη ἀναγκάζεις ἰουδαΐζειν, "how do you compel the Gentiles to Judaize?"). By withdrawing fellowship unless Gentiles adopted Jewish customs, Peter effectively forced them to "live like Jews" for acceptance. His actions spoke louder than his theology, communicating that faith in Christ wasn't sufficient—Jewish cultural conformity was necessary for full fellowship.