Galatians 2:9
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γνόντες
perceived
G1097
γνόντες
perceived
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
2 of 32
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάριν
the grace
G5485
χάριν
the grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
4 of 32
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔδωκαν
that was given
G1325
ἔδωκαν
that was given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
6 of 32
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοκοῦντες
seemed
G1380
δοκοῦντες
seemed
Strong's:
G1380
Word #:
14 of 32
compare the base of g1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)
δεξιὰς
the right hands
G1188
δεξιὰς
the right hands
Strong's:
G1188
Word #:
17 of 32
the right side or (feminine) hand (as that which usually takes)
ἔδωκαν
that was given
G1325
ἔδωκαν
that was given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
18 of 32
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Βαρναβᾷ
Barnabas
G921
Βαρναβᾷ
Barnabas
Strong's:
G921
Word #:
21 of 32
son of nabas (i.e., prophecy); barnabas, an israelite
κοινωνίας
of fellowship
G2842
κοινωνίας
of fellowship
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
22 of 32
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
εἰς
should go unto
G1519
εἰς
should go unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
25 of 32
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
who
G3588
τὴν
who
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνη
the heathen
G1484
ἔθνη
the heathen
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
27 of 32
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
αὐτοὶ
G846
αὐτοὶ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
28 of 32
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
εἰς
should go unto
G1519
εἰς
should go unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
30 of 32
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Romans 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.Romans 1:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:Galatians 2:2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.1 John 1:3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.Ephesians 3:8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Historical Context
James was Jesus's half-brother and leader of the Jerusalem church; Peter (Cephas) was the spokesman of the Twelve; John was the beloved disciple. Their recognition of Paul's apostleship was politically and theologically crucial—it prevented a schism between Jewish and Gentile Christianity. This "right hand of fellowship" likely occurred at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), where the leaders officially endorsed Gentile freedom from circumcision.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the pillar apostles' willingness to recognize Paul's distinct calling teach about mature Christian leadership?
- How can the church today maintain gospel unity while celebrating diverse callings and ministry approaches?
- In what relationships do you need to extend the "right hand of fellowship" to those with different ministry styles but the same gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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. The triumvirate—Iakōbos kai Kēphas kai Iōannēs (Ἰάκωβος καὶ Κηφᾶς καὶ Ἰωάννης)—represents the Jerusalem church leadership. The appositional phrase hoi dokountes styloi einai (οἱ δοκοῦντες στῦλοι εἶναι, "those reputed to be pillars") uses architectural metaphor; styloi (στῦλοι) are load-bearing columns supporting a structure. These men upheld the church's foundation, yet even they needed to recognize God's work in others.
The verb gnontes (γνόντες, "having known/perceived") indicates discernment beyond superficial observation—they recognized tēn charin tēn dotheisan moi (τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν μοι, "the grace having been given to me"). Charis (χάρις) here means not just favor but the gifting and calling God bestowed. Their response: dexias edōkan emoi kai Barnaba koinōnias (δεξιὰς ἔδωκαν ἐμοὶ καὶ Βαρνάβᾳ κοινωνίας, "they gave right hands of fellowship/partnership")—a formal gesture signifying covenant relationship and mutual recognition.
This handshake ratified the division of mission fields and validated Paul's apostleship. The term koinōnia (κοινωνία, "fellowship/partnership") implies shared purpose and mutual support despite different spheres of ministry. Unity doesn't require uniformity; genuine fellowship celebrates diverse callings within one gospel.