The Meaning of Galatians 2:6 Explained

Galatians 2:6

KJV: 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:

YLT: And from those who were esteemed to be something -- whatever they were then, it maketh no difference to me -- the face of man God accepteth not, for -- to me those esteemed did add nothing,

Darby: But from those who were conspicuous as being somewhat whatsoever they were, it makes no difference to me: God does not accept man's person; for to me those who were conspicuous communicated nothing;

ASV: But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man's person)-- they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Galatians 2:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul"s reference to James , Peter, and John may sound a bit insolent, but his point was that they were not superior as apostles to him as an apostle. They contributed nothing to his authority or message.
"The repetition of the expression "men of high reputation" from Galatians 2:2 (where NEB has "men of repute" for the same Greek expression [1]) seems to indicate that it is a title given by the Jerusalem church to its leaders, which Paul uses, possibly with a tinge of irony, in depreciation of the arrogant and extravagant claims which the Judaizers were making for the Jerusalem leaders." [2]
The expression "allows Paul both to acknowledge the fact that these men possess authority and power and to remain at a distance with regard to his own subservience to such authority." [3]

Context Summary

Galatians 2:1-10 - Stand Firm For Truth
The great controversy in Paul's career was over the initial rite of Judaism. It would have been comparatively calm, if he had been willing to admit that Christianity was a sect of Judaism, and that men must become Jews before becoming Christians. His contention was that the ceremonial aspect of the Law did not apply to converts from heathendom. Gentile sinners had the right to go directly to Jesus Christ for salvation, without traveling around the circuitous route of Judaism. When men insisted on the outward rite, he resisted it with all the fiery vehemence of his nature, Galatians 2:3; Galatians 2:12. But when his opponents were willing to admit that circumcision was not essential, he administered it to one of Jewish blood, as a concession to the weak and uninstructed, Acts 16:3.
What blessed intercourse the four men here named must have enjoyed together! James would tell of the earlier biography of Jesus, in the home of Nazareth; Peter would dwell upon his own fellowship with Christ throughout our Lord's active ministry; John would unfold Jesus' inner life, as he afterwards did in his Gospel; Paul would tell of that revelation of the risen Christ on the Damascus road. Note that God must work in and for us, if we are to succeed in the gospel ministry. See Galatians 2:8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Galatians 2

1  He shows when he went up again to Jerusalem, and for what purpose;
3  and that Titus was not circumcised;
11  and that he resisted Peter, and told him the reason;
14  why he and others, being Jews, believe in Christ to be justified by faith, and not by works;
20  and that they live not in sin, who are so justified

Greek Commentary for Galatians 2:6

Somewhat [τι]
Something, not somebody. Paul refers to the Big Three (Cephas, James, and John). He seems a bit embarrassed in the reference. He means no disrespect, but he asserts his independence sharply in a tangled sentence with two parentheses (dashes in Westcott and Hort). [source]
Whatsoever they were [οποιοι ποτε ησαν]
Literally, “What sort they once were.” Hopoioi is a qualitative word (1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 3:13; James 1:24). Lightfoot thinks that these three leaders were the ones who suggested the compromise about Titus. That is a possible, but not the natural, interpretation of this involved sentence. The use of δε — de (but) in Galatians 2:6 seems to make a contrast between the three leaders and the pleaders for compromise in Galatians 2:4. They, I say, imparted nothing to me He starts over again after the two parentheses and drops the construction απο των δοκουντων — apo tōn dokountōn and changes the construction (anacoluthon) to οι δοκουντες — hoi dokountes (nominative case), the men of reputation and influences whom he names in Galatians 2:8. See the same verb in Galatians 1:16. They added nothing in the conference to me. The compromisers tried to win them, but they finally came over to my view. Paul won his point, when he persuaded Peter, James, and John to agree with him and Barnabas in their contention for freedom for the Gentile Christians from the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonial law. [source]
Hopoioi []
is a qualitative word (1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 3:13; James 1:24). Lightfoot thinks that these three leaders were the ones who suggested the compromise about Titus. That is a possible, but not the natural, interpretation of this involved sentence. The use of δε — de (but) in Galatians 2:6 seems to make a contrast between the three leaders and the pleaders for compromise in Galatians 2:4. [source]
They, I say, imparted nothing to me [εμοι γαρ ουδεν προσανετεντο]
He starts over again after the two parentheses and drops the construction απο των δοκουντων — apo tōn dokountōn and changes the construction (anacoluthon) to οι δοκουντες — hoi dokountes (nominative case), the men of reputation and influences whom he names in Galatians 2:8. See the same verb in Galatians 1:16. They added nothing in the conference to me. The compromisers tried to win them, but they finally came over to my view. Paul won his point, when he persuaded Peter, James, and John to agree with him and Barnabas in their contention for freedom for the Gentile Christians from the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonial law. [source]
[]
d Render the passage as follows: “But to be something from (at the hands of) those who were of repute, whatever they were, matters nothing to me (God accepteth not man's person), for those who were of repute imparted nothing to me.” [source]
To be something [εἶναί τι]
Comp. Galatians 6:3; Acts 5:36; 2 Corinthians 12:11. To be in good standing as an evangelist or apostle, approved and commissioned by high authorities. [source]
From those who were of repute [ἀπὸ τῶν δοκούντων]
From, at the hands of; as receiving my indorsement or commission from them. Comp. Galatians 1:1. Of repute, see on Galatians 2:2. [source]
Whatsoever they were [ὁποῖοι ποτὲ ἦσαν]
Ποτέ in N.T. is invariably temporal, and points here to the preeminence which these apostles had formerly, up to the time of Paul's visit, enjoyed, because of their personal connection with Jesus. [source]
Maketh no matter to me [οὐδέν μοι διαφέρει]
Paul does not say, as A.V. and Rev., that the standing and repute of the apostles were matters of indifference to him, but that he was indifferent about receiving his commission from them as recognized dignitaries of the church. The construction is: “To be something ( εἶναί τι ) at the hands of ( ἀπὸ ) those who were of repute matters nothing to me.” [source]
God accepteth no man's person []
Or more strictly, accepteth not the person of man. Parenthetical. Λαμβάνειν πρόσωπον toreceive or accept the face is a Hebraism. See on James 2:1. In O.T. both in a good and a bad sense; to be gracious, and to show favor from personal or partisan motives. In N.T. only here and Luke 20:21, both in a bad sense. Similar Hebraistic expressions are βλέπειν εἰς πρόσωπον tolook at the face, Matthew 22:16: θαυμάζειν πρόσωπα toadmire the countenances, Judges 1:16: καυχᾶσθαι ἐν προσώπῳ toglory in the face, 2 Corinthians 5:12. [source]
For - to me []
Explaining the previous statement. To be of consequence because commissioned by those in repute matters nothing to me (God accepteth not man's person), for although they might have asserted their high repute and authority to others, to me they did not, as shown by their imposing on me no new requirements. [source]
In conference added nothing [οὐδὲν προσανέθεντο]
In conference is an attempt to conform the sense to Galatians 1:16. The verb without the accusative, as there, means to confer with. Here, with the accusative, the meaning is laid upon or imposed on. Rend. therefore, imposed nothing on me. They imposed on me no new ( πρὸς additional) requirements; no conditions or limitations of my missionary work. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Galatians 2:6

Acts 10:34 I perceive [katalambanomai)]
Aoristic present middle of katalambanō to take hold of, the middle noting mental action, to lay hold with the mind (Acts 4:13; Acts 10:34; Acts 25:25; Ephesians 3:18). It had been a difficult thing for Peter to grasp, but now “of a truth” This compound occurs only here and in Chrysostom. It is composed of prosōpon face or person (pros and ops before the eye or face) and lambanō The abstract form prosōpolēmpsia occurs in James 2:1 (also Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25) and the verb prosōpolempteō in James 2:9. The separate phrase (lambanein prosōpon) occurs in Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6. The phrase was already in the lxx (Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Ps 82:6). Luke has simply combined the two words into one compound one. The idea is to pay regard to one‘s looks or circumstances rather than to his intrinsic character. The Jews had come to feel that they were the favourites of God and actually sons of the kingdom of heaven because they were descendants of Abraham. John the Baptist rebuked them for this fallacy. [source]
Galatians 6:3 To be something [εἶναί τι]
For the phrase see Acts 5:36; Acts 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:7; 1 Corinthians 10:19; Galatians 2:6; Galatians 6:15. [source]
Galatians 2:2 To them which were of reputation [τοῖς δοκοῦσιν]
Lit. to those who seem; are reputed. Men of recognized position, James, Cephas, John. Not his adversaries who were adherents of these three. It is not to be supposed that he would submit his gospel to such. The expression is therefore not used ironically. Paul recognizes the honorable position of the three and their rightful claim to respect. The repetition of the phrase (Galatians 2:6, Galatians 2:9) may point to a favorite expression of his opponents in commending these leaders to Paul as models for his preaching; hardly (as Lightfoot) to the contrast between the estimation in which they were held and the actual services which they rendered to him. He chooses this expression because the matter at stake was his recognition by the earlier apostles, and any ironical designation would be out of place. [source]
Galatians 1:16 I conferred not with flesh and blood [ου προσανετεμην σαρκι και αιματι]
Second aorist middle indicative of προσανατιτημι — prosanatithēmi old verb, double compound (προσ ανα — prosana), to lay upon oneself in addition, to betake oneself to another, to confer with, dative case as here. In N.T. only here and Galatians 2:6. [source]
Galatians 2:6 Hopoioi []
is a qualitative word (1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 3:13; James 1:24). Lightfoot thinks that these three leaders were the ones who suggested the compromise about Titus. That is a possible, but not the natural, interpretation of this involved sentence. The use of δε — de (but) in Galatians 2:6 seems to make a contrast between the three leaders and the pleaders for compromise in Galatians 2:4. [source]
Galatians 2:6 Whatsoever they were [οποιοι ποτε ησαν]
Literally, “What sort they once were.” Hopoioi is a qualitative word (1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 3:13; James 1:24). Lightfoot thinks that these three leaders were the ones who suggested the compromise about Titus. That is a possible, but not the natural, interpretation of this involved sentence. The use of δε — de (but) in Galatians 2:6 seems to make a contrast between the three leaders and the pleaders for compromise in Galatians 2:4. They, I say, imparted nothing to me He starts over again after the two parentheses and drops the construction απο των δοκουντων — apo tōn dokountōn and changes the construction (anacoluthon) to οι δοκουντες — hoi dokountes (nominative case), the men of reputation and influences whom he names in Galatians 2:8. See the same verb in Galatians 1:16. They added nothing in the conference to me. The compromisers tried to win them, but they finally came over to my view. Paul won his point, when he persuaded Peter, James, and John to agree with him and Barnabas in their contention for freedom for the Gentile Christians from the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonial law. [source]
2 Thessalonians 1:9 From the presence [ἀπὸ προσώπου]
Or face. Ἁπὸ fromhas simply the sense of separation. Not from the time of the Lord's appearing, nor by reason of the glory of his presence. Πρόσωπον is variously translated in A.V. Mostly face: also presence, Acts 3:13, Acts 3:19; Acts 5:41: person, Matthew 22:16; Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6: appearance, 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 10:1: fashion, James 1:11. The formula ἀπὸ προσώπου or τοῦ προσώπου occurs Acts 3:19; Acts 5:41; Acts 7:45; Revelation 6:16; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 20:11. In lxx, Genesis 3:8; Genesis 4:14, Genesis 4:16; Exodus 14:25, and frequently. [source]
1 Timothy 1:15 Acceptation [πρωτος]
Genitive case with ην — axios (worthy of). Late word (Polybius, Diod., Jos.) in N.T. only here and 1 Timothy 4:9. Chief (ειμι — prōtos). Not ελαχιστος των αποστολων — ēn (I was), but τωι ελαχιστοτερωι παντων αγιων — eimi (I am). “It is not easy to think of any one but St. Paul as penning these words” (White). In 1 Corinthians 15:9 he had called himself “the least of the apostles” (elachistos tōn apostolōn). In Ephesians 3:8 he refers to himself as “the less than the least of all saints” (tōi elachistoterōi pantōn hagiōn). On occasion Paul would defend himself as on a par with the twelve apostles (Galatians 2:6-10) and superior to the Judaizers (2 Corinthians 11:5.; 2 Corinthians 12:11). It is not mock humility here, but sincere appreciation of the sins of his life (cf. Romans 7:24) as a persecutor of the church of God (Galatians 1:13), of men and even women (Acts 22:4.; Acts 26:11). He had sad memories of those days. [source]
1 Timothy 1:15 Chief [ειμι]
Not ελαχιστος των αποστολων — ēn (I was), but τωι ελαχιστοτερωι παντων αγιων — eimi (I am). “It is not easy to think of any one but St. Paul as penning these words” (White). In 1 Corinthians 15:9 he had called himself “the least of the apostles” In Ephesians 3:8 he refers to himself as “the less than the least of all saints” On occasion Paul would defend himself as on a par with the twelve apostles (Galatians 2:6-10) and superior to the Judaizers (2 Corinthians 11:5.; 2 Corinthians 12:11). It is not mock humility here, but sincere appreciation of the sins of his life (cf. Romans 7:24) as a persecutor of the church of God (Galatians 1:13), of men and even women (Acts 22:4.; Acts 26:11). He had sad memories of those days. [source]
James 2:1 The Lord of Glory [της δοχης]
Simply “the Glory.” No word for “Lord” A Christian word, like προσωπολημπτης — prosōpolēmptēs (Acts 10:34) and προσωπολημπτειτε — prosōpolēmpteite (James 2:9), not in lxx or any previous Greek, but made from προσωπον λαμβανειν — prosōpon lambanein (Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6), which is α — a Hebrew idiom for panim nasa, “to lift up the face on a person,” to be favorable and so partial to him. See προσωπολημπσια — prosōpolēmpsia in this sense of partiality (respect of persons) in Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:25; Ephesians 6:9 (nowhere else in N.T.). Do not show partiality. [source]
James 2:1 With respect of persons [εν προσωπολημπσιαις]
A Christian word, like προσωπολημπτης — prosōpolēmptēs (Acts 10:34) and προσωπολημπτειτε — prosōpolēmpteite (James 2:9), not in lxx or any previous Greek, but made from προσωπον λαμβανειν — prosōpon lambanein (Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6), which is α — a Hebrew idiom for panim nasa, “to lift up the face on a person,” to be favorable and so partial to him. See προσωπολημπσια — prosōpolēmpsia in this sense of partiality (respect of persons) in Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:25; Ephesians 6:9 (nowhere else in N.T.). Do not show partiality. [source]
James 2:1 Hold not [μη εχετε]
Present active imperative of εχω — echō with negative μη — mē exhortation to stop holding or not to have the habit of holding in the fashion condemned.The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ (την πιστιν του κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου — tēn pistin tou kuriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou). Clearly objective genitive, not subjective (faith of), but “faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” like εχετε πιστιν τεου — echete pistin theou (Mark 11:22), “have faith in God.” See the same objective genitive with πιστις — pistis in Acts 3:6; Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:22; Revelation 14:12. Note also the same combination as in James 1:1 “our Lord Jesus Christ” (there on a par with God).The Lord of Glory Simply “the Glory.” No word for “Lord” A Christian word, like προσωπολημπτης — prosōpolēmptēs (Acts 10:34) and προσωπολημπτειτε — prosōpolēmpteite (James 2:9), not in lxx or any previous Greek, but made from προσωπον λαμβανειν — prosōpon lambanein (Luke 20:21; Galatians 2:6), which is α — a Hebrew idiom for panim nasa, “to lift up the face on a person,” to be favorable and so partial to him. See προσωπολημπσια — prosōpolēmpsia in this sense of partiality (respect of persons) in Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:25; Ephesians 6:9 (nowhere else in N.T.). Do not show partiality. [source]
1 Peter 1:17 Without respect of persons [ἀπροσωπολήμπτως]
Here only. Peter, however, uses προσωπολήμπτης , a respecter of persons, Acts 10:34, which whole passage should be compared with this. Paul and James also use the kindred word προσωπολημψία , respect of persons. See Romans 2:11; James 2:1. James has the verb προσωπολημπτέω , to have respect of persons. The constituents of the compound word, πρόσωπον , the countenance, and λαμβάνω , to receive, are found in Galatians 2:6; and the word is the Old-Testament formula to accept or to raise the face of another; opposed to making the countenance fall (Job 29:24; Genesis 4:5). Hence, to receive kindly, or look favorably upon one (Genesis 19:21; Genesis 32:20, etc.). In the Old Testament it is, as Bishop Lightfoot observes, “a neutral expression involving no subsidiary notion of partiality, and is much oftener found in a good than in a bad sense. When it becomes an independent Greek phrase, however, the bad sense attaches to it, owing to the secondary meaning of πρόσωπον , a mask; so that πρόσωπον λαμβάνειν signifies to regard the external circumstances of a man, his rank, wealth, etc., as opposed to his real, intrinsic character.” [source]

What do the individual words in Galatians 2:6 mean?

Of now those esteemed to be something whatsoever formerly they were not to me makes a difference [the] person - God of a man not does accept to me for the esteemed nothing added
Ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν δοκούντων εἶναί τι ὁποῖοί ποτε ἦσαν οὐδέν μοι διαφέρει πρόσωπον Θεὸς ἀνθρώπου οὐ λαμβάνει ἐμοὶ γὰρ οἱ δοκοῦντες οὐδὲν προσανέθεντο

δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
τῶν  those 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δοκούντων  esteemed 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: δοκέω  
Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose.
εἶναί  to  be 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
τι  something 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
ὁποῖοί  whatsoever 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ὁποῖος  
Sense: of what sort or quality, what manner of.
ποτε  formerly 
Parse: Particle
Root: ποτέ  
Sense: once i.
ἦσαν  they  were 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
μοι  to  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
διαφέρει  makes  a  difference 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διαφέρω  
Sense: to bear or carry through any place.
πρόσωπον  [the]  person 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πρόσωπον  
Sense: the face.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἀνθρώπου  of  a  man 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
λαμβάνει  does  accept 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λαμβάνω  
Sense: to take.
ἐμοὶ  to  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δοκοῦντες  esteemed 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: δοκέω  
Sense: to be of opinion, think, suppose.
οὐδὲν  nothing 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὐδείς 
Sense: no one, nothing.
προσανέθεντο  added 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: προσανατίθημι  
Sense: to lay upon in addition to.