Galatians 2 · Verse 7

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;
Galatians 2:7, King James Version

Galatians 2:7 in other translations

BSBOn the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
WEBbut to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcised—
ASVbut contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospel of the circumcision
YLTbut, on the contrary, having seen that I have been entrusted with the good news of the uncircumcision, as Peter with that of the circumcision,
DARBYbut, on the contrary, seeing that the glad tidings of the uncircumcision were confided to me, even as to Peter that of the circumcision,
BBEBut, quite the opposite, when they saw that I had been made responsible for preaching the good news to those without circumcision, even as Peter had been for those of the circumcision
WebsterBut on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to me, as the gospel of the circumcision was to Peter;

What does Galatians 2:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. contrariwise--on the contrary. So far from adding any new light to ME, THEY gave in THEIR adhesion to the new path on which Barnabas and I, by independent revelation, had entered. So far from censuring, they gave a hearty approval to my independent course, namely, the innovation of preaching the Gospel without circumcision to the Gentiles. when they saw--from the effects which I showed them, were "wrought" (Ga 2:8; Ac 15:12). was committed unto me--Greek, "I was entrusted with." gospel of the uncircumcision--that is, of the Gentiles, who were to be converted without circumcision being required. circumcision ... unto Peter--Peter had originally opened the door to the Gentiles (Ac 10:1-48; 15:7). But in the ultimate apportionment of the spheres of labor, the Jews were assigned to him (compare 1Pe 1:1). So Paul on the other hand wrote to the Hebrews (compare also Col 4:11), though his main work was among the Gentiles. The non-mention of Peter in the list of names, presciently through the Spirit, given in the sixteenth chapter of Romans, shows that Peter's residence at Rome, much more primacy, was then unknown. The same is palpable from the sphere here assigned to him.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. The gospel of the uncircumcision. The duty of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised part of the world; that is, to the Gentiles. Paul had received this as his peculiar office when he was converted and called to the ministry, see Acts 9:15, 22:21; and they now perceived that he had been specially intrusted with this office, from the remarkable success which had attended his labours. It is evidently not meant here that Paul was to preach only to the Gentiles and Peter only to the Jews, for Paul often preached in the synagogues of the Jews, and Peter was the first who preached to a Gentile, Acts 10; but it is meant that it was the main business of Paul to preach to the Gentiles, or that this was especially intrusted to him.

As the gospel of the circumcision. As the office of preaching the gospel to the Jews.

Was unto Peter. Peter was to preach principally to the circumcised Jews. It is evident that until this time Peter had. been principally employed in preaching to the Jews. Paul selects Peter here particularly, doubtless because he was the oldest of the apostles, and in order to show that he was himself regarded as on a level, in regard to the apostleship, with the most aged and venerable of those who had been called to the apostolic office by the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus.

(++) "contrariwise" "On the contrary" (&) "committed" "intrusted" (c) "unto me, as the gospel" 1Thes 2:4, 1Timm 2:7

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 But contrariwise - They were so far from wishing me to alter my plan, or to introduce any thing new in my doctrine to the Gentiles, that they saw plainly that my doctrine was the same as their own, coming immediately from the same source; and therefore gave to me and to Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. The Gospel of the uncircumcision - They saw, to their utmost satisfaction, that I was as expressly sent by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter was to preach it to the Jews.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Galatians 2:1-10

Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached among the Gentiles, and was still resolved to preach, that of Christianity, free from all mixture of Judaism. This doctrine would be ungrateful to many, yet he was not afraid to own it. His care was, lest the success of his past labours should be lessened, or his future usefulness be hindered. While we simply depend upon God…

Read the full comment on Galatians 2:1-10 →

Galatians 2:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀλλὰallaButG235
τοὐναντίον,tounantionon the contrary,G5121
ἰδόντεςidonteshaving seenG1492
ὅτιhotithatG3754
πεπίστευμαιpepisteumaiI have been entrusted withG4100
τὸtotheG3588
εὐαγγέλιονeuangeliongospelG2098
τῆςtēsof theG3588
ἀκροβυστίαςakrobustiasuncircumcisionG203
καθὼςkathōseven asG2531
ΠέτροςPetrosPeter [with that]G4074
τῆςtēsof theG3588
περιτομῆς,peritomēscircumcisionG4061

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Galatians 2:7

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:4

    But 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.

  • Acts 9:15

    But 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 2:7

    Whereunto 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.

  • Galatians 1:16

    To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

  • Acts 13:46-48

    Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

  • 2 Timothy 1:11

    Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

  • 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.

  • 1 Timothy 1:11

    According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

  • Acts 15:12

    Then 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.

  • 2 Peter 3:15

    And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:17

    For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

  • Acts 18:6

    And 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
when.
9; Ac 15:12,25,26; 2Pe 3:15
the gospel of the uncircumcision.
1:16; Ac 13:46-48; 18:6; 28:28; Ro 1:5; 11:13; 1Th 2:4; 1Ti 2:7
2Ti 1:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Galatians 2:6

    But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

  • 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;

  • Galatians 2:8

    (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

Read all of Galatians 2

Galatians 2:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Antes por el contrario, como vieron que el evangelio de la incircuncisión me era encargado, como á Pedro el de la circuncisión,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais au contraire, ayant vu que l’évangile de l’incirconcision m’a été confié, comme celui de la circoncision l’a été à Pierre,
German
Elberfelder 1871		sondern im Gegenteil, als sie sahen, daß mir das Evangelium der Vorhaut anvertraut war, gleichwie Petrus das der Beschneidung,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Sed e contra cum vidissent quod creditum est mihi Evangelium præputii, sicut et Petro circumcisionis