Galatians 2:4

2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.

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

This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.

5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

6 But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism —those leaders added nothing to me.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
KJV
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
WEB
This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage,
ASV
and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
DARBY
and [it was] on account of the false brethren brought in surreptitiously, who came in surreptitiously to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;
BLB
even because of the false brothers introduced stealthily, who came in stealthily to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they will enslave us,
ÅB
og det for de falske brødres skyld som hadde sneket seg inn og var kommet for å lure på vår frihet, den som vi har i Kristus Jesus, så de kunne gjøre oss til slaver.
OTB
Dette spørsmålet oppsto på grunn av falske brødre som hadde infiltrert vår gruppe for å spionere på den frihet vi har i Kristus Jesus, med hensikt å bringe oss i trelldom.
B1930
og det for de falske brødres skyld som hadde sneket sig inn og var kommet for å lure på vår frihet, den som vi har i Kristus Jesus, så de kunde gjøre oss til træler.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Galatians 5:1

    It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:4

    For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

    Read in context
  • 2 Peter 2:1–2

    Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

    Read in context
  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

    Read in context
  • Galatians 5:12–13

    As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 11:26

    In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers,

    Read in context
  • Galatians 4:9–10

    But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

    Read in context
  • Galatians 4:3

    So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

    Read in context