Galatians 2:4 “This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false p…”

Galatians 2:4

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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:

World English Bible

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,

American Standard Version

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:

Geneva Bible 1599

To wit, for the false brethren which were craftily sent in, and crept in priuily to spie out our libertie, which we haue in Christ Iesus, that they might bring vs into bondage.

Darby Translation

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;

Young's Literal Translation

and [that] because of the false brethren brought in unawares, who did come in privily to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, that us they might bring under bondage,

Bible in Basic English

And that because of the false brothers let in secretly, who came searching out our free condition which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might make servants of us;

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Cross references

“because”

1 John 4:1 2 Corinthians 11:26 Galatians 5:10 Acts 15:1 Acts 15:24 Acts 20:30

1 John 4:1 · BSB

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.

2 Corinthians 11:26 · BSB

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,

Galatians 5:10 · BSB

I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.

Acts 15:1 · BSB

Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Acts 15:24 · BSB

It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.

Acts 20:30 · BSB

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

“unawares”

Jude 1:4 2 Timothy 3:6 2 Peter 2:1 2 Peter 2:2

Jude 1:4 · BSB

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 Ch…

2 Timothy 3:6 · BSB

They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions,

2 Peter 2:1 · BSB

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 o…

2 Peter 2:2 · BSB

Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.

“liberty”

Galatians 5:1 2 Peter 2:19 Galatians 3:23–26 Psalm 51:12 Psalm 119:45 John 8:31–36

Galatians 5:1 · BSB

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.

2 Peter 2:19 · BSB

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

Galatians 3:23–26 · BSB

Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

Psalm 51:12 · BSB

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 119:45 · BSB

And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.

John 8:31–36 · BSB

So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.

“bring”

Galatians 4:3 Galatians 4:25 Isaiah 51:23 2 Corinthians 11:20 Galatians 4:9 Galatians 4:10

Galatians 4:3 · BSB

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

Galatians 4:25 · BSB

Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Isaiah 51:23 · BSB

I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”

2 Corinthians 11:20 · BSB

In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.

Galatians 4:9 · BSB

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?

Galatians 4:10 · BSB

You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

Also

Romans 8:15

Romans 8:15 · BSB

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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

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

Read Galatians 2