GALATIANS 2:11-13 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
Antioch; *NSB Antioch was the largest city of the Roman province of Syria. It became a center for missionary outreach to other Gentile cities in Asia Minor and Macedonia. (See Acts 13:1-3).
Thayer denotes - Thayer: 1) Capital of Syria, situated on the river Orontes, founded by Seleucus Nicanor in 300 B.C. and named in honor of his father, Antiochus. Many Greek-Jews lived there and it was here that the followers of Christ were first called Christians. 2) A city in Pisidia on the borders Phrygia, founded by Seleucus Nicanor. Under the Romans, it became a "colonia" and was also called Caesarea Literal: Antioch = "driven against". The Greek word is Ἀντιόχεια Antiocheia. Strong's G490.
Notes Reference: Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Withstood; to set against" (anti, "against," histemi, "to cause to stand"), used in the Middle (or Passive) Voice and in the intransitive 2nd aorist and perfect Active, signifying "to withstand, oppose, resist,". The Greek word is ἀνθίστημι anthistēmi. Vine's has this word under "resist" and it is sometimes translated that way. Vine's (def Prime), Strong's G436.
Blamed; Vine's has this under "Condemned" to know something against" (kata, "against," ginosko, "to know by experience"), hence, "to think ill of, to condemn," is said, in Galatians 2:11, of Peter's conduct (RV, "stood condemned"), he being "self-condemned" as the result of an exercised and enlightened conscience, and "condemned" in the sight of others; so of "self-condemnation" due to an exercise of heart. Strong's denotes - to note against, i.e. find fault with. The Greek word used here for "blame" is καταγινώσκω kataginōskō. Vine's under "condemned" (def A-1), Strong's G2607.
Moving to Verse 12.
Galatians 2:12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
NSB* After the earlier meeting in Jerusalem (vv. 1-10), the behavior of Peter in Antioch was contradictory and hypocritical (vv. 12,13). Given Peter's immense influence, Paul had little choice but to point out the hypocrisy directly. (vv. 11,14). Paul confronted Peter because refusing to eat with the Gentiles contradicted what Peter had long since recognized, that the gospel was for the Gentiles too (see Peter's interaction with Corneliu's family Acts 11:7-10).
Notes Reference: Acts 11:7-10 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
Certain Men Came From James; NSB* Indicates they came with the authority of James, one of the leaders of the Jerusalem church (v. 9). However it is unlikely that they accurately represented the views of James (vv. 7-10).
Withdrew And Separated; Withdrew has the idea of withholding under (out of sight), i.e. (reflexively) to cower or shrink, (figuratively) to conceal (reserve). Vine's expands under "draw" def B-13) "to draw back, withdraw," perhaps a metaphor from lowering a sail and so slackening the course, and hence of being remiss in holding the truth; in the Active Voice, rendered "drew back". The Greek word is ὑποστέλλω hupostellō. Strong's G5288.
Separated here has the idea of setting off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc. Vine's defines it as to mark off by bounds" (apo, "from," horizo, "to determine;" horos, "a limit"), "to separate," is used of " the withdrawal of Christians from their brethren in this instance. The Greek word is ἀφορίζω aphorizō. Strong's G873, Vine's (def A-1e).
Acts 11:2-3 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
Moving to Verse 13.
Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
NSB* Peter's example was so divisive that the rest of the Jews in the church at Syrian Antioch, including Barnabas followed suit. However, Peter's actions did not represent conviction but rather hypocrisy.
Hypocrisy: The King James version translates this as dissimulation. Strong's defines this as acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy"). The Greek word for dissimulation is ὑπόκρισις hupokrisis.
Takeaway: We don't want to find ourselves in a position where we are being moved or swayed by fear changing what we are called to do by God, depending on the audience.
*NSB - Nelson Study Bible.
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