Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
that because of
G1223
διὰ
that because of
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψευδαδέλφους
false brethren
G5569
ψευδαδέλφους
false brethren
Strong's:
G5569
Word #:
5 of 19
a spurious brother, i.e., pretended associate
παρεισῆλθον
came in privily
G3922
παρεισῆλθον
came in privily
Strong's:
G3922
Word #:
7 of 19
to come in alongside, i.e., supervene additionally or steathily
κατασκοπῆσαι
to spy out
G2684
κατασκοπῆσαι
to spy out
Strong's:
G2684
Word #:
8 of 19
to be a sentinel, i.e., to inspect insidiously
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλευθερίαν
liberty
G1657
ἐλευθερίαν
liberty
Strong's:
G1657
Word #:
10 of 19
freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial)
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχομεν
we have
G2192
ἔχομεν
we have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
16 of 19
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
Jude 1:4For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.2 Corinthians 11:26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;Galatians 4:3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:Isaiah 51:23But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.Acts 20:30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.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.Acts 15:24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:2 Peter 2:19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.1 John 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Historical Context
These "false brothers" were likely Jewish Christians who insisted Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the Mosaic law (Acts 15:1). They may have come from Jerusalem with impressive credentials, claiming to represent James or the apostles. Their infiltration of Gentile churches threatened to split the early Christian movement into incompatible Jewish and Gentile factions, destroying the unity Christ achieved through the cross.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern teaching subtly replaces grace with performance-based acceptance before God?
- Why does adding any human requirement to faith in Christ constitute a return to spiritual slavery?
- Where in your Christian walk might you be accepting false teaching that undermines the freedom Christ purchased for you?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. The compound term pseudadelphous (ψευδαδέλφους, "false brothers") is devastatingly blunt—these weren't mere theological opponents but infiltrators pretending brotherhood while undermining truth. The verb pareisaktous (παρεισάκτους, "secretly brought in") suggests deliberate covert operation, like enemy spies smuggled into a fortress.
Their mission: kataskopēsai (κατασκοπῆσαι, "to spy out") the eleutherian (ἐλευθερίαν, "freedom/liberty") believers possess en Christō Iēsou (ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, "in Christ Jesus"). This freedom isn't license but liberation from the law's condemnation and the futile attempt to earn righteousness through works. The final purpose clause reveals their sinister goal: hina hēmas katadoulōsousin (ἵνα ἡμᾶς καταδουλώσουσιν, "that they might enslave us completely")—the intensive compound verb suggests reducing to absolute slavery.
Paul identifies spiritual warfare behind theological debate: Satan's strategy is always to add requirements to grace, making salvation dependent on human performance rather than divine gift. The contrast between eleutheria (freedom) and douleia (slavery) defines the stakes—we either live in the freedom Christ purchased or return to bondage under law.