Galatians 2 6

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:

Galatians 2:6 nkjv

But from those who seemed to be something?whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man?for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.

Galatians 2:6 niv

As for those who were held in high esteem?whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism?they added nothing to my message.

Galatians 2:6 esv

And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) ? those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me.

Galatians 2:6 nlt

And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)

Galatians 2 verses

Galatians 2 6 Meaning

The Apostle Paul asserts that the human reputation or esteemed position of certain apostles in Jerusalem (James, Cephas, John) was utterly inconsequential to him concerning the validity or content of the gospel he preached. His revelation and mission were divinely sourced, not dependent on the endorsement or additions of others. This is firmly grounded in the theological truth that God Himself shows no partiality, meaning He does not respect persons based on outward status, ethnicity, or human achievement, but judges and operates based on truth and righteousness. Therefore, those revered apostles ultimately contributed nothing new to Paul's message or authority.

Galatians 2 6 Context

Galatians 2 continues Paul’s robust defense of his apostolic authority and the true gospel against Judaizing teachers who insisted Gentile believers must be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. This verse is part of Paul's recounting of his trip to Jerusalem, occurring "fourteen years later" (Gal 2:1), to meet with the leaders there. His aim was not to seek validation for his gospel message—which he knew came directly from Christ—but to present it to the recognized apostles, ensuring that their shared gospel remained unified and not "running in vain." Verse 6 underscores Paul's steadfast confidence in the gospel he had received, indicating that even the highly esteemed "pillars" of the Jerusalem church neither altered nor added anything essential to it. Their status was irrelevant to the truth of the gospel itself; only God's unreserved approval mattered. This directly challenged the hierarchical and tradition-based thinking of those who might use human authority to subvert gospel liberty.

Galatians 2 6 Word analysis

• And from those who seemed to be something (ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν δοκούντων εἶναί τι - apò de tōn dokountōn einai ti):
  • δοκοῦντες (dokountes): "Seemed," "were reputed," "were thought to be." This word doesn't necessarily imply falseness or pretense. Instead, it refers to a widely held perception or established reputation. These individuals (James, Cephas, and John, mentioned in v. 9) were genuinely esteemed leaders, recognized as "pillars" in the early church. Paul acknowledges their reputation while simultaneously detaching their perceived importance from the objective truth and authority of his message. The focus is on their external appearance or recognized standing among people.
  • εἶναί τι (einai ti): "To be something." This refers to their perceived significance, influence, or high position within the Christian community, especially the Jerusalem church. It highlights their status and recognition among believers, rather than necessarily describing their inherent spiritual quality.
• whatever they were (ὁποῖοί ποτε ἦσαν - hopoioí pote ēsan):
  • Paul emphatically states his disregard for their human qualifications, background, or original spiritual stature. Their past or present personal credentials—whether before their conversion or in their service to the Lord—were of no concern regarding the gospel's authenticity. This stresses that Paul's revelation was from Christ alone and needed no human certification.
• it makes no difference to me (οὐδέν μοι διαφέρει - oudén moi diaphérei):
  • A strong declaration of Paul's spiritual independence. He isn't dismissive of the men themselves, but of their perceived human authority or reputation as a basis for validating his God-given gospel. The implication is that divine truth stands on its own merits, regardless of who believes it or validates it.
• God shows no partiality (πρόσωπον θεοῦ οὐ λαμβάνει - prosōpon theou ou lambánei):
  • πρόσωπον (prosōpon): "Face." The phrase "to receive/accept a face" (λαμβάνειν πρόσωπον - lambáinein prosōpon) is a Hebraism reflecting the Hebrew concept of showing favor or discrimination based on someone's appearance, status, or identity rather than their intrinsic worth or deeds. It signifies the practice of treating individuals differently due to external factors.
  • This is a crucial theological cornerstone: God does not honor human titles, earthly status, wealth, power, ethnicity (Jew or Gentile), or any other outward appearance when dealing with individuals or judging truth. He deals righteously and fairly with all, validating truth wherever it is found, and measuring according to faithfulness and inner condition, not external standing. This reinforces Paul's claim that his message needed no human endorsement; God Himself would attest to its truth regardless of the messenger's or recipients' perceived status.
• those who seemed to be something (οἱ γὰρ δοκοῦντες - hoi gar dokountes):
  • A repetition of the initial phrase, serving to emphasize the point and pivot to the outcome of the Jerusalem meeting. This stylistic choice draws the reader's attention back to these figures and reinforces Paul's prior assertion about their lack of material contribution.
• added nothing to me (προσανέθεντο - prosanéthento):
  • προστίθημι (prostithemi), related to προσανέθεντο (prosane anethento): "to add to," "to contribute." This refers to their inability to provide any new spiritual insights, theological truths, or additional authoritative directives regarding the gospel Paul preached. Their conversation and acknowledgment did not enhance or correct his divinely revealed message. Their affirmation was simply recognition of what already was, not a supply of something lacking. This stands in stark contrast to the legalists who sought to "add" circumcision to the gospel of grace.
  • The implied meaning is not that the meeting was pointless, but that Paul’s understanding and authority were fully established before it, making any potential additions by human authority irrelevant. They found his gospel perfectly aligned with their own understanding.

Galatians 2 6 Bonus section

• Paul's use of "seemed to be something" (οἱ δοκοῦντες) should be understood as a statement of factual observation of their prominent reputation, not a subtle jab at their perceived lack of genuine substance. He recognized their significant standing but concurrently diminished its ultimate relevance to his apostolic call and gospel truth.
• The phrase "God shows no partiality" (πρόσωπον θεοῦ οὐ λαμβάνει) is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it describes God's just character in relation to judging His people and foreigners alike (e.g., Deut 10:17, Job 34:19). Paul extends this principle to include religious authority and ethnic privilege within the context of the New Covenant. It implies that neither being a Jew nor holding a high office provides any advantage before God's ultimate assessment of truth and faith.
• This verse underpins Paul's continuous battle against any human addition to the gospel, a central theme of Galatians. Just as Paul found no reason to add anything from the Jerusalem leaders to his message, he insists the Galatians must not allow "false brothers" to add works like circumcision to their faith in Christ for salvation. The freedom of the gospel hinges on this principle.

Galatians 2 6 Commentary

Galatians 2:6 forms a pivotal assertion in Paul's argument for the singular origin and complete sufficiency of his gospel. Paul unequivocally declares his gospel to be independent of human approval, even that of the revered Jerusalem "pillars"—James, Cephas (Peter), and John. Their earthly prestige or reputation, "whatever they were," held no sway over the divine revelation he received. The verse fundamentally grounds this stance in the impartial character of God: "God shows no partiality." This timeless biblical principle affirms that God operates on truth, not titles, judging all with equity regardless of status. Consequently, these influential apostles "added nothing" to Paul. This does not mean they disputed his message; rather, they found it aligned with their own God-given understanding (as stated in v. 7-9). The statement serves as a potent polemic against any notion that salvation is mediated by human authority, status, or adherence to man-made traditions. It champions the idea that the truth of the gospel stands valid by its divine source alone, free from human conditions or hierarchical endorsements.