Galatians 2 3

Galatians 2:3 kjv

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

Galatians 2:3 nkjv

Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

Galatians 2:3 niv

Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.

Galatians 2:3 esv

But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.

Galatians 2:3 nlt

And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.

Galatians 2 verses

Galatians 2 3 Meaning

Galatians 2:3 asserts that even Titus, a close companion of Paul and a Gentile (Greek), was not forced to undergo circumcision. This firmly demonstrates that adherence to Mosaic ceremonial law, specifically circumcision, was not a prerequisite for salvation or full inclusion into the Christian community, especially for Gentile believers. It serves as direct evidence against the "false brothers" who sought to impose such requirements and confirms that the true gospel of Christ provides freedom from the bondage of the Law.

Galatians 2 3 Context

Galatians 2:3 is part of Paul's personal account and defense of his gospel to the churches in Galatia. He recounts his journey to Jerusalem approximately fourteen years after his conversion, a trip made by revelation to present his Gentile gospel to the leading apostles (Gal 2:1-2). This meeting was critical because "false brothers" (Gal 2:4) had infiltrated the Christian community, insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised to be saved. Paul brought Titus, a Gentile convert, with him as a living example to challenge this legalistic demand. Verse 3 directly counters the pressure of these Judaizers by asserting that Titus, despite being Greek, was not forced to undergo the rite. This serves as Paul's proof point for the truth of his grace-based gospel and highlights the apostles' support for his Gentile ministry, affirming that salvation comes through faith, not adherence to the Mosaic Law.

Galatians 2 3 Word analysis

• But (Ἀλλὰ - Alla): A strong adversative conjunction that introduces a clear contrast. It immediately shifts the focus to Paul's definitive action, opposing any assumption or expectation that circumcision would be applied.

• not even (οὐδὲ - oude): An emphatic negative. It highlights that absolutely no compulsion or obligation for circumcision was imposed, underscoring the strong position taken against the pressure from those who insisted on it.

• Titus (Τίτος - Títos): A Gentile believer, Paul's close co-worker, and later a pastor whom Paul entrusted with leading the church in Crete. His presence in this account as a non-circumcised Gentile was crucial to Paul's argument and ministry.

• who was with me: This phrase emphasizes Titus's direct association with Paul and his ministry. It confirms that Titus was a public figure and a clear test case for Paul's stance on Gentile inclusion without circumcision.

• though a Greek (Ἕλλην ὤν - Hellēn ōn): Directly specifies his ethnic identity as a non-Jew. This is the core issue: if any Gentile had to be circumcised, it would be someone as publicly prominent and associated with Paul as Titus. His "Greek" identity represented the broader Gentile church for whom the issue was critical.

• was compelled (ἠναγκάσθη - ēnagkasthē): A passive verb indicating that an outside force or pressure was exerted. It conveys the insistence and aggressive attempts of the Judaizers to impose circumcision. The fact that he was not compelled shows Paul's successful resistance to their demands.

• to be circumcised (περιτμηθῆναι - peritmēthēnai): Refers to the physical act of male circumcision, the sign of the Abrahamic covenant and a foundational requirement of the Mosaic Law. Forcing this upon Gentile converts was considered essential by the Judaizers for full inclusion into God's people and salvation.

• But not even Titus... was compelled: This grouping encapsulates Paul's unyielding resolve in defending the true gospel. Despite intense pressure, Paul made a firm stand, ensuring that the integrity of the gospel, which offered salvation by grace through faith alone, was not compromised by the addition of legalistic requirements.

• though a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: This phrase juxtaposes Titus's Gentile identity with the specific legalistic demand. It pinpoints the heart of the theological conflict: was salvation for Gentiles dependent on adherence to Jewish law (symbolized by circumcision), or was it universally available by faith in Christ? Paul's successful refusal signified the triumph of grace.

Galatians 2 3 Bonus section

The refusal to circumcise Titus (Gal 2:3) stands in stark contrast to Paul's decision to circumcise Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). This distinction is vital for understanding Paul's pastoral and theological principles. Timothy's mother was Jewish, making him Jewish under rabbinic law, even though his father was Greek. Paul had Timothy circumcised to remove a potential obstacle for ministry among the Jews who would have viewed Timothy as an uncircumcised Jew. This was a pragmatic decision "because of the Jews who were in those places" and concerned outreach, not salvation. In Titus's case, however, forcing circumcision would have conceded the Judaizers' argument that circumcision was necessary for salvation, thereby compromising the gospel itself. Paul's actions highlight a crucial boundary: he was willing to accommodate cultural practices (adiaphora, "things indifferent") for the sake of the gospel (1 Cor 9:19-23) but would never compromise core gospel truth (Gal 2:5). His firm stand with Titus safeguarded the gospel's integrity, ensuring that salvation was wholly by grace, universally accessible, and free from human-imposed rituals.

Galatians 2 3 Commentary

Galatians 2:3 provides a historical and theological anchor for Paul's core argument that salvation is by grace through faith alone, not by works of the law, specifically circumcision for Gentiles. Paul used Titus as a real-world example of his gospel in action; Titus, being a full Gentile, represented the freedom that Christ grants from the Old Covenant's ceremonial demands. Paul's resolute refusal to allow Titus to be circumcised, despite the intense pressure from "false brothers," underscored that adding circumcision as a requirement would have invalidated the sufficiency of Christ's work and implied a return to legalism. This verse exemplifies Paul's unwavering commitment to guard the purity of the gospel message, ensuring that Gentile believers would not be subjected to unnecessary burdens or a perverted gospel that would have stripped Christianity of its unique, universal, and grace-centered nature.