Paul Defends His Gospel at Jerusalem

1Then after fourteen years I went up againa to Jerusalem with Barnabas,b taking Titusc along also. 2I went up according to a revelationa and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. I wanted to be sure I was not running, and had not been running, in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This matter arose because some false brothersa had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus in order to enslave us. 5But we did not give up and submit to these people for even a moment, so that the trutha of the gospel would be preserved for you.

6Now from those recognized as important (what theyA once were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritismB a) — they added nothing to me. 7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised,a just as Peterb was for the circumcised, 8since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. 9When James,a Cephas,a b and Johnc — those recognized as pillarsd — acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They asked only that we would remember the poor,a which I had made every effort to do.

Freedom from the Law

11But when CephasA came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.B 12For he regularly ate with the Gentiles before certain men came from James. However, when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, because he feared those from the circumcision party. 13Then the rest of the Jewsa joined his hypocrisy,b so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were deviating from the truth of the gospel, I told CephasA in front of everyone, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentilea and not like a Jew,b how can you compel Gentiles to livec like Jews? ”B

15We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” 16and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the lawa but by faith in Jesus Christ,A even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in ChristB and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being willC be justified. 17But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ,a is Christ then a promotera b of sin? Absolutely not!c 18If I rebuilda those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.b 19For through the law I died to the law,a so that I might live for God.b 20I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.a The life I now live in the body,A I live by faith in the Son of God,b who lovedc med and gave himselfe for me.f 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law,a then Christ diedb for nothing.