For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleshipThis phrase refers to God, who empowered and guided Peter in his mission. Peter, also known as Cephas, was one of the original twelve apostles and played a crucial role in the early church, particularly among Jewish believers. His apostleship is highlighted in
Acts 2, where he delivers a powerful sermon at Pentecost, leading to the conversion of many Jews. The phrase underscores the divine authority and empowerment behind Peter's ministry, emphasizing that it was not by his own strength but through God's work.
to the circumcised
The term "circumcised" refers to the Jewish people, who practiced circumcision as a sign of the covenant with God, as established with Abraham inGenesis 17. In the early church, there was a significant focus on reaching the Jewish population with the message of Jesus as the Messiah. Peter's primary mission field was among the Jews, as seen in his ministry in Jerusalem and his interactions with Jewish leaders. This focus aligns with the cultural and religious context of the time, where the early Christian message was first proclaimed to the Jews before spreading to the Gentiles.
was also at work in my apostleship
Here, Paul is speaking of his own calling and mission, which was divinely appointed. Paul's apostleship is well-documented in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts and his epistles. His conversion and calling are described inActs 9, where Jesus appears to him on the road to Damascus. This divine encounter marks the beginning of Paul's mission to spread the gospel. The phrase emphasizes the parallel between Peter's and Paul's ministries, both being empowered by the same God.
to the Gentiles
The Gentiles refer to all non-Jewish people. Paul's mission to the Gentiles was revolutionary, as it expanded the reach of the gospel beyond the Jewish community. This mission is a fulfillment of the prophecy inIsaiah 49:6, where God declares that His salvation will reach the ends of the earth. Paul's work among the Gentiles is chronicled in his missionary journeys, as recorded in Acts, and in his letters to various Gentile churches, such as those in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus. This outreach reflects the inclusive nature of the gospel and the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles, as articulated inEphesians 2:14-16.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Peter (Cephas)One of Jesus' original twelve apostles, known for his leadership in the early church and his ministry primarily to the Jewish people (the circumcised).
2.
Paul (Apostle to the Gentiles)Formerly known as Saul, Paul was a Pharisee who converted to Christianity and became a leading figure in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews).
3.
The Circumcised (Jews)Refers to the Jewish people, who were traditionally circumcised as a sign of their covenant with God.
4.
The GentilesNon-Jewish people who were often seen as outside the covenant community of Israel but were included in the Gospel message through Paul's ministry.
5.
The One (God)Refers to God, who empowered both Peter and Paul in their respective ministries.
Teaching Points
Unity in DiversityGod works through different people in different ways, yet all are part of His unified plan. Just as Peter and Paul had distinct missions, we too have unique callings that contribute to the body of Christ.
Empowerment by GodThe same God who empowered Peter and Paul empowers us today. We should seek His guidance and strength in our ministries.
Inclusivity of the GospelThe Gospel is for everyone, regardless of background. We should be open to sharing the message of Christ with all people, just as Paul did with the Gentiles.
Respect for Different RolesRecognize and respect the different roles and ministries within the church. Each has its purpose and is vital to the church's mission.
Faithfulness in CallingLike Paul and Peter, we should be faithful to the specific calling God has placed on our lives, trusting that He will work through us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Galatians 2:8?
2.How does Galatians 2:8 affirm God's work through different apostles for different groups?
3.What does Galatians 2:8 reveal about God's empowerment for ministry?
4.How does Galatians 2:8 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20?
5.In what ways can we discern God's calling for our own ministry today?
6.How can we support diverse ministries within the church, as seen in Galatians 2:8?
7.How does Galatians 2:8 affirm the authority of both Peter and Paul in spreading the Gospel?
8.What does Galatians 2:8 reveal about God's role in empowering individuals for ministry?
9.How does Galatians 2:8 support the unity of the early Christian church despite diverse missions?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Galatians 2?
11.What does the term "Gentile" mean?
12.Galatians 2:11 - What does the lack of a recorded response from Peter after Paul's public rebuke suggest about possible missing historical details or inconsistencies in the text?
13.Galatians 2:7 - Why does Paul assert distinct missions for himself and Peter when Acts describes overlapping evangelistic activities, creating a potential contradiction?
14.Acts 15:7-9 - If God supposedly made no distinction between Jews and Gentiles, why do some Old Testament laws still appear necessary in the letter?What Does Galatians 2:8 Mean
For the One- Paul begins by pointing to God Himself—“the One.”
- Emphasis: there is a single divine source behind every genuine ministry.
- Cross reference: “There are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person” (1 Corinthians 12:6).
- Takeaway: our focus must stay on the Lord who initiates and sustains all gospel work.
who was at work- “Was at work” highlights God’s ongoing, energizing activity, not a one-time push.
- Cross reference: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
- Bullet points:
• God’s work is personal—He engages real people in real places.
• God’s work is powerful—He supplies the ability and the results.
in Peter’s apostleship- Peter’s specific calling is underscored—he did not choose his role; God did.
- Cross reference: Jesus told Peter, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17) and later used him mightily at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41).
- The fruit of Peter’s labor among Jewish believers confirms God’s hand.
to the circumcised- “The circumcised” refers to the Jewish nation, heirs of God’s covenant with Abraham.
- Cross reference: “You are sons of the prophets… and through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Acts 3:25-26).
- Points to remember:
• Peter honored Jewish heritage while preaching Christ.
• God’s promise to Israel remains intact even as the gospel spreads wider (Romans 1:16).
was also at work- The identical verb anchors the statement: the same God, the same power.
- Cross reference: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
- Assurance: God’s consistency eliminates rivalry between ministries.
in my apostleship- Paul’s calling was equally divine. He wasn’t self-appointed.
- Cross reference: “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15).
- List of confirmations:
• Miraculous conversions (Acts 14:1-3).
• Enduring hardships for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
• Churches planted across Asia Minor and Europe (Acts 16-20).
to the Gentiles- “The Gentiles” encompasses every non-Jewish people group—fulfilling God’s global vision.
- Cross reference: “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47).
- Key truths:
• The gospel obliterates ethnic barriers (Ephesians 2:14-16).
• Paul’s ministry models cultural adaptability without doctrinal compromise (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
summaryGalatians 2:8 assures us that one sovereign Lord empowers distinct yet complementary callings. God worked through Peter among Jews and through Paul among Gentiles, proving His faithfulness, unity, and unstoppable mission to redeem all who believe.
(8)
He that wrought effectually in Peter . . . the same was mighty in me.--This is an instance of that capriciousness in our translators which was due to their free poetic handling and superabundant command of words. "Wrought effectually" and "was mighty" are the same word in the Greek, and there does not seem to be any sufficient reason why the translation should be altered. "In Peter" and "in me" would be better translated
for Peter and
for me. He that wrought effectually for Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same wrought effectually for me towards the Gentiles.Verse 8. -
For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision (
ὁ γὰρ ἐνεργήσας Πέτρῳ εἰς ἀποστολὴντῆς περιτομῆς);
he that had wrought on Peter's behalf for apostleship of the circumcision. In form, the sentence is an
absolute statement of fact; but its bearing in the context would be fairly represented by rendering it
relatively, "for that he who," etc.; for it was the
perception of the fact here stated which led that assembly to the conviction that Paul had been entrusted with the apostleship of the uncircumcision. The dative
Πέτρῳ can scarcely be governed, as the Authorized Version presupposes, by the preposition in
ἐνεργήσας, this verb not being a separable compound; it is rather the
dativus commodi,
as inProverbs 31:12,
Ἐνεργεῖτῷ ἀνδρὶ εἰς ἀγαθά. When operation
in a subject is meant, the preposition
ἐν is added, as
Ephesians 1:20;
Ephesians 2:2;
Galatians 3:5. The worker is God, not Christ (comp.
1 Corinthians 12:6;
Philippians 2:13). God wrought on Peter's behalf for apostleship of the circumcision; that is, towards, in furtherance of, his work as their apostle, by constituting him their apostle, by making his ministry effectual in turning their hearts to Christ, and by miracles wrought by his hands, including the impartation through him of miraculous gifts to his converts; for such were "the signs of the apostle" (
2 Corinthians 12:12).
The same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles (
ἐνήργησεκαὶ ἐμοὶ εἰς τὰ ἔθνη);
had wrought also on my behalf towards the Gentiles. Comp.
Acts 15:12, "They hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought (
ἐποίησεν) among the Gentiles by them;" where likewise, as here, the aorist tense is used of action they were then looking back upon as past. The absence of Barnabas's name in this verse, though mentioned in the next, is significant. Barnabas was not an apostle in that highest sense of the term in which Paul was an apostle, and which alone he is now thinking of; although he was
associated with Paul, both in ministerial work and in that lower form of apostleship which beth had received from men (comp.
Acts 14:4, 14; and Dissertation I. in the Introduction).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.[God], whoὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.was at workἐνεργήσας(energēsas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1754:From energes; to be active, efficient.in Peter’sΠέτρῳ(Petrō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074:Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.apostleshipἀποστολὴν(apostolēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 651:Commission, duty of apostle, apostleship. From apostello; commission, i.e. apostolate.to theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Jews,περιτομῆς(peritomēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4061:Circumcision. From peritemno; circumcision.was also at workἐνήργησεν(enērgēsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1754:From energes; to be active, efficient.in my [apostleship]ἐμοὶ(emoi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.toεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.theτὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Gentiles.ἔθνη(ethnē)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484:Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.
Links
Galatians 2:8 NIVGalatians 2:8 NLTGalatians 2:8 ESVGalatians 2:8 NASBGalatians 2:8 KJV
Galatians 2:8 BibleApps.comGalatians 2:8 Biblia ParalelaGalatians 2:8 Chinese BibleGalatians 2:8 French BibleGalatians 2:8 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: Galatians 2:8 For he who appointed Peter to (Gal. Ga) 
