King James Version

What Does Galatians 2:14 Mean?

Galatians 2:14 in the King James Version says “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, I...” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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?”

Galatians 2:14 · King James Version

Truth

Context

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.

13

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

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?

15

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Read Galatians 2 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What cultural conformity do modern Christians subtly require beyond faith in Christ for full acceptance?
  2. How can your actions communicate theological messages that contradict your stated beliefs?
  3. In what ways might you be "compelling others to Judaize" by making your cultural preferences conditions for Christian fellowship?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
ἀλλ'1 of 30

“But”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ὅτε2 of 30

“when”

G3753

at which (thing) too, i.e., when

εἶδον3 of 30

“I saw”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι4 of 30

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ5 of 30

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ὀρθοποδοῦσιν6 of 30

“they walked”

G3716

to be straight-footed, i.e., (figuratively) to go directly forward

πρὸς7 of 30

“according to”

G4314

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,

τὴν8 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀλήθειαν9 of 30

“the truth”

G225

truth

τοῦ10 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εὐαγγελίου11 of 30

“of the gospel”

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

εἶπον12 of 30

“I said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τῷ13 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρῳ14 of 30

“unto Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

ἔμπροσθεν15 of 30

“before”

G1715

in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time)

πάντων16 of 30

“them all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

Εἰ17 of 30

“If”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

σὺ18 of 30

“thou”

G4771

thou

Ἰουδαῖος19 of 30

“a Jew”

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

ὑπάρχων20 of 30

“being”

G5225

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

ἐθνικῶς21 of 30

“after the manner of Gentiles”

G1483

as a gentile

ζῇς22 of 30

“livest”

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

καὶ23 of 30

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ24 of 30

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

Ἰουδαϊκῶς25 of 30

“as do the Jews”

G2452

judacally or in a manner resembling a judaean

τί26 of 30

“why”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

τὰ27 of 30
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔθνη28 of 30

“the Gentiles”

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

ἀναγκάζεις29 of 30

“compellest thou”

G315

to necessitate

Ἰουδαΐζειν30 of 30

“to live as do the Jews”

G2450

to become a judaean, i.e., "judaize"

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Galatians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Galatians 2:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Galatians 2:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 2:5Acts 10:28Acts 15:10-111 Timothy 5:20Galatians 6:12Proverbs 2:7

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