Galatians 2:7
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
But
G235
ἀλλὰ
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἰδόντες
when they saw
G1492
ἰδόντες
when they saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 13
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 13
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
πεπίστευμαι
was committed unto me
G4100
πεπίστευμαι
was committed unto me
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
5 of 13
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκροβυστίας
of the uncircumcision
G203
ἀκροβυστίας
of the uncircumcision
Strong's:
G203
Word #:
9 of 13
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (i.e., gentile, figuratively, unregenerate) state or person
Πέτρος
was unto Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
was unto Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
11 of 13
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Cross References
Acts 9:15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:1 Timothy 2:7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.1 Thessalonians 2:4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.Galatians 1:16To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:1 Timothy 1:11According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.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.2 Timothy 1:11Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.Acts 28:28Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.Acts 15:12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.Acts 18:6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Historical Context
Peter's ministry focused primarily on Jewish audiences (Acts 2-12), while Paul became the apostle to Gentiles (Acts 13-28). This division wasn't absolute—Peter preached to Cornelius (Acts 10), and Paul regularly began ministry in synagogues—but reflected primary callings. The Jerusalem leaders' recognition of this distinction prevented a damaging power struggle and allowed complementary ministries to flourish.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's diverse gifting of different workers for different ministries demonstrate the unity and breadth of the gospel?
- What evidence in your life demonstrates God's calling to specific ministry rather than merely personal preference?
- Why is it vital to distinguish between one gospel with diverse applications versus multiple competing gospels?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter. The adversative tounantion (τοὐναντίον, "on the contrary") introduces the Jerusalem apostles' recognition of Paul's distinct calling. The perfect passive verb pepisteumai (πεπίστευμαι, "I have been entrusted") appears twice—Paul was entrusted with to euaggelion tēs akrobystias (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς ἀκροβυστίας, "the gospel of the uncircumcision/Gentiles"), while Peter received tēs peritomēs (τῆς περιτομῆς, "of the circumcision/Jews").
Critically, Paul speaks of one gospel with two spheres of ministry, not two different gospels. The genitive tēs akrobystias is objective—the gospel directed toward the uncircumcised—not a different message but the same grace applied to different audiences. The verb episteuō with the dative means "entrust" as a stewardship; God is the one who assigns mission fields, not human committees.
This divine division of labor validated Paul's apostleship to Gentiles as fully as Peter's to Jews. The Jerusalem leaders saw (ἰδόντες, idontes)—recognized through evidence, not merely theory—God's hand on Paul's ministry. His success among Gentiles demonstrated divine approval, requiring no human validation or modification of his message.