GAL 2:16 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. εἰδότες
2. eidō
3. having known
4. -
5. 14920
6. VPEA·NMP
7. ˓having˒ known
8. ˓having˒ known
9. -
10. Y52; R125554; Person=Paul; R126183; R126187; Person=Barnabas; R126206
11. 126236
1. δέ
2. de
3. but
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126237
1. ὅτι
2. hoti
3. that
4. -
5. 37540
6. C·······
7. that
8. that
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126238
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126239
1. δικαιοῦται
2. dikaioō
3. is being justified
4. -
5. 13440
6. VIPP3··S
7. ˓is_being˒ justified
8. ˓is_being˒ justified
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126240
1. ἄνθρωπος
2. anthrōpos
3. +a person
4. person
5. 4440
6. N····NMS
7. ˓a˒ person
8. ˓a˒ person
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126241
1. ἐξ
2. ek
3. by
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126242
1. ἔργων
2. ergon
3. works
4. -
5. 20410
6. N····GNP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126243
1. νόμου
2. nomos
3. of law
4. -
5. 35510
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ law
8. ˱of˲ law
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126244
1. ἐάν
2. ean
3. if
4. -
5. 14370
6. C·······
7. if
8. if
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126245
1. μή
2. mē
3. not
4. -
5. 33610
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126246
1. διά
2. dia
3. through
4. -
5. 12230
6. P·······
7. through
8. through
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126247
1. πίστεως
2. pistis
3. faith
4. -
5. 41020
6. N····GFS
7. faith
8. faith
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126248
1. Χριστοῦ
2. χristos
3. -
4. -
5. 55470
6. N····GMS
7. chosen_one/messiah
8. Christ
9. WN
10. Person=Jesus
11. 126249
1. Ἰησοῦ
2. iēsous
3. in Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
4. -
5. 24240
6. N····GMS
7. ˱in˲ Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
8. ˱in˲ Jesus
9. UN
10. Person=Jesus; Y52
11. 126250
1. Χριστοῦ
2. χristos
3. chosen one messiah
4. -
5. 55470
6. N····GMS
7. chosen_one/messiah
8. Christ
9. WN
10. Y52; Person=Jesus
11. 126251
1. καί
2. kai
3. even
4. -
5. 25320
6. D·······
7. even
8. even
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126252
1. ἡμεῖς
2. egō
3. we
4. -
5. 14730
6. R···1N·P
7. we
8. we
9. -
10. Y52; R125554; Person=Paul; R126183; R126187; Person=Barnabas; R126206
11. 126253
1. εἰς
2. eis
3. in
4. -
5. 15190
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126254
1. Χριστόν
2. χristos
3. chosen one messiah
4. -
5. 55470
6. N····AMS
7. chosen_one/messiah
8. Christ
9. WN
10. Y52; Person=Jesus
11. 126255
1. Ἰησοῦν
2. iēsous
3. Yaʸsous
4. -
5. 24240
6. N····AMS
7. Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa)
8. Jesus
9. UN
10. Person=Jesus; Y52
11. 126256
1. Χριστόν
2. χristos
3. -
4. -
5. 55470
6. N····AMS
7. chosen_one/messiah
8. Christ
9. WN
10. Person=Jesus
11. 126257
1. ἐπιστεύσαμεν
2. pisteuō
3. believed
4. believed
5. 41000
6. VIAA1··P
7. believed
8. believed
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126258
1. ἵνα
2. hina
3. in order that
4. -
5. 24430
6. C·······
7. in_order_that
8. in_order_that
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126259
1. δικαιωθῶμεν
2. dikaioō
3. we may be justified
4. -
5. 13440
6. VSAP1··P
7. ˱we˲ ˓may_be˒ justified
8. ˱we˲ ˓may_be˒ justified
9. -
10. Y52; R125554; Person=Paul; R126183; R126187; Person=Barnabas; R126206
11. 126260
1. ἐκ
2. ek
3. by
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126261
1. πίστεως
2. pistis
3. faith
4. -
5. 41020
6. N····GFS
7. faith
8. faith
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126262
1. Χριστοῦ
2. χristos
3. in chosen one messiah
4. -
5. 55470
6. N····GMS
7. ˱in˲ chosen_one/messiah
8. ˱in˲ Christ
9. WN
10. Y52; Person=Jesus
11. 126263
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126264
1. οὐκ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126265
1. ἐξ
2. ek
3. by
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126266
1. ἔργων
2. ergon
3. works
4. -
5. 20410
6. N····GNP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126267
1. νόμου
2. nomos
3. of law
4. -
5. 35510
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ law
8. ˱of˲ law
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126268
1. ὅτι
2. hoti
3. because
4. because
5. 37540
6. C·······
7. because
8. because
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126269
1. διότι
2. dioti
3. -
4. -
5. 13600
6. C·······
7. because
8. because
9. -
10. -
11. 126270
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. -
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. -
11. 126271
1. δικαιωθήσεται
2. dikaioō
3. -
4. -
5. 13440
6. VIFP3··S
7. ˓will_be_being˒ justified
8. ˓will_be_being˒ justified
9. -
10. -
11. 126272
1. ἐξ
2. ek
3. by
4. -
5. 15370
6. P·······
7. by
8. by
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126273
1. ἔργων
2. ergon
3. +the works
4. -
5. 20410
6. N····GNP
7. ˓the˒ works
8. ˓the˒ works
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126274
1. νόμου
2. nomos
3. of law
4. -
5. 35510
6. N····GMS
7. ˱of˲ law
8. ˱of˲ law
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126275
1. οὒ
2. ou
3. not
4. -
5. 37560
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126276
1. δικαιωθήσεται
2. dikaioō
3. ˓will be being justified
4. -
5. 13440
6. VIFP3··S
7. ˓will_be_being˒ justified
8. ˓will_be_being˒ justified
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126277
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. any
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. any
8. any
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126278
1. σάρξ
2. sarx
3. flesh
4. -
5. 45610
6. N····NFS
7. flesh
8. flesh
9. -
10. Y52
11. 126279

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:11–21: Paul corrected Peter in Antioch

In this section, Paul told his readers what the true gospel is. It is salvation by faith in Christ alone. Obeying the law is not part of the true gospel. Doing what the law demands does not justify anyone.

Paul told how Peter had deserted the true gospel. He wanted the Galatians to understand how they too were deserting the true gospel. They had started to think that it was necessary to obey the law to be justified. Paul wanted them to read about his rebuke to Peter so that they could recognize how their own situation was similar. They must completely reject justification through the law. He emphasized that justification is by faith in Christ alone.

This section also shows that Paul’s authority as an apostle was at least as great as Peter’s was. This section is also an indirect rebuke of the false teachers who had come to the Galatian churches and required the non-Jews to adopt Jewish traditions to be accepted as true Christians.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

Paul rebukes Peter

Paul defended the truth of the gospel

Paul shows how Peter was wrong

Paragraph 2:14–21

In this paragraph, Paul asked Peter and the other Jewish believers to live according to the true gospel. This meant that they had to reject the idea that they were justified by obeying the law. Paul emphasized that justification is by faith in Christ alone. Peter’s actions had implied that it was also necessary to keep the law. That would make Christ’s death meaningless and nullify the grace of God.

In 2:14c, Paul began to speak directly to Peter. There are at least three ways to interpret where Paul’s direct speech to Peter ends:

It ends after verse 21. (NIV, NASB, CEV)
It ends after verse 14. In verses 15–21, what Paul said to Peter is indirect speech. (BSB, ESV, NET, RSV, JBP, GNT, NJB, GW, NCV)
It ends after verse 16. (NLT)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). In 2:15, it is possible that Paul began to also talk to the other people who were there. But he was still also talking to Peter. So Paul’s speech does not end until verse 21.Schreiner on page 150 says, “The first question to be asked is where Paul’s words to Peter, which began in 2:11, end. Since quotation marks are lacking in the original manuscripts, certainty eludes us. Possibly the words directed to Peter conclude after 2:14, 2:15, 2:16, 2:18, or 2:21. I personally argue that it makes most sense to see all of 2:14–21 as addressed to Peter. At least four pieces of evidence support this conclusion. (1) Verse 15 is not clearly set off from 2:11–14. (2) The first person plural pronouns in 2:15–17 most naturally refer to Jewish Christians and would speak to such people in Antioch. (3) Verse 17 may reflect the charges against Peter. (4) A new subject commences on 3:1, where the Galatians are addressed directly.”

If you choose option (2), your translation should still show that Paul is indirectly speaking to Peter in 2:15–21. For example, at the beginning of 2:15, the JBP says:

And then I went on to explain that (JBP)

2:16

This verse contains many clauses. Some of the clauses at the end of the verse repeat information from the beginning. In some languages, it may be more natural to avoid repeating the information. One way to do this is:

^aknow that a man is not justified by works of the law, ^bbut by faith in Jesus Christ. ^cSo we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus. ^dWe did this that we may be justified.

2:16a

know that a man is not justified by works of the law,

However, we^(incl) know that a person is not justified by means of obeying the law,
In spite of that, we know that God does not consider a person as blameless because of his obeying the law of Moses.
However, we know that following the law does not make anyone right with God.

In 2:16, Paul said something that people would not normally expect a Jew to say. The unexpected statement was that he and Peter (who were born Jews and had lived by the law) knew that a person was not justified by obeying the law. Paul introduced this unexpected statement with a Greek conjunction that is often translated as “but.” Some other ways to translate this conjunction are:

however

yet (ESV)

nevertheless (NASB)

in spite of that

The BSB has not translated this conjunction, and some other versions, such as the NIV, also do not translate it. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate this conjunction either. Connect 2:16a to 2:15 in a way that is natural in your language.

know that a man is not justified: The Greek word that the BSB translates as justified means that God has made us acceptable to him. It means “acquitted,” “pronounced and treated as righteous,” or “accepted as righteous before God.” A person who is justified is found to be in perfect conformity to God’s law. He no longer has his sins counted against him. God forgives him and considers him to be a righteous person.

Some other ways to translate the word justified are:

accepted as righteous by God

considered straight before God

made right with God

a person’s sins are taken care of

2:16b

but by faith in Jesus Christ.

but only by means of believing in Jesus Christ.
God considers him blameless because of his trust in Jesus Christ.
The only way to be made right with God is to believe/trust in Jesus Christ.

but: There is a contrast between 2:16a and 2:16b. The contrast is between the way that we are not justified (2:16a) and the way that we are justified (2:16b). The BSB indicates this contrast with the conjunction but.

Some other ways to indicate this contrast are:

but only

Instead,

Some words from the previous clause are implied but not repeated here. In some languages, it may be more natural to repeat some of those words from the previous clause. For example:

but that he is justified

Instead, we know that the only way to be justified is

by: The preposition by introduces the way that a person is justified. Justification is by means of faith in Jesus Christ.

Some other ways to translate this preposition are:

through

if/when

because of

faith in Jesus Christ: The term faith, when applied to Jesus Christ, refers to “belief” or “trust” in Jesus Christ.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

believing/trusting in Jesus Christ

belief/trust in Jesus Christ

See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

General Comment on 2:16a–b

In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of 2:16a and 2:16b and put the way to be justified first. For example:

^16aWe know that a man ^16bis only justified by faith in Jesus Christ. ^16aHe is not justified by observing the law.

2:16c

So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus,

So, we^(incl) too have believed in Christ Jesus,
That is why we^(incl) also, like the non-Jews, have trusted in Christ Jesus,
Therefore, we Jews, we^(incl) also have trusted in Jesus Christ,

So: Verse 2:16c is the main clause in 2:16. It is the result of 2:16a–b. Some versions are like the BSB and add the conjunction So to show how the clauses are connected.

Some other ways to begin this clause are:

That is why

For that reason

we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus: The pronoun we refers to Peter, Paul, and all Christian Jews. The word too implies that these Jews had done like the Gentiles: they also had trusted in Christ Jesus for their salvation.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus (NCV)

we Jews have also trusted in Christ Jesus

See faith, Meaning 1 in the Glossary.

Christ Jesus: Here in Greek, the word Christ comes before Jesus. In 2:16b, the order is “Jesus Christ.” The order of these two words makes no difference in the meaning.

In some languages, it may be possible to follow the Greek order. In other languages, it will be necessary to change the order. For example:

^bbut only by believing in Jesus Christ. ^cSo we also believed in Jesus Christ (GW)

2:16d–e

In 2:16d–e, Paul repeated what he said in 2:16a–b. He said that the way we are justified is by faith. It is not by obeying the law. He repeated it because it is very important.

See the example above under 2:16 for a way to avoid the repetition.

2:16d

that we may be justified by faith in Christ

in order that we may be justified by believing in Christ,
so that God might consider us as blameless because of our trusting in Christ.
because the only way to be made right with God is to trust in Christ.

that we may: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as that introduces the purpose of believing in Christ.

Some other ways to connect this clause are:

so that

in order that

be justified: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as be justified is the same word as in 2:16a. Translate it in the same way.

This verb is a passive verb. Some ways to translate this verb are:

Use a passive clause. For example:
so that we may be made right with God
Use an active clause. For example:
so that God might justify us

by faith in Christ: The phrase that the BSB translates as by faith in Christ means by/through “believing” or “trusting” in Jesus Christ. It is the same phrase that is used in 2:16b.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

by means of trusting/believing in Christ

if/when we believe in Christ

because of our belief/trust in Christ

2:16e

and not by works of the law,

and not by obeying the law,
God does not consider us blameless because of our obeying the law.
We are not made right with God if/when we follow the law.

and not by works of the law: This phrase is the same phrase that is used in 2:16a. Translate it here as you did there.

2:16f

because by works of the law no one will be justified.

because no one will be justified by obeying the law.
We trusted in Christ because we know that God will not consider anyone as blameless because of his obeying the law.
We have believed in Christ because no one will be made right with God if/when he follows the law.

because: The conjunction because introduces the reason why Paul and Peter and others believed in Christ. They believed in Christ because they knew it was impossible to be justified by obeying the law.

Another way to introduce the reason is to begin a new sentence here:

We trusted in Christ because

by works of the law no one will be justified: This was the third time Paul made this point. This was important because the Galatians had added obeying the law to faith. Paul wanted them to understand clearly that it is impossible to be justified by works of the law.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

no one will be justified by means of following the law

we know that God will not justify anyone because of his obeying the law

will be justified: This is the same word as in 2:16a and 2:16d. You should translate it in the same way.

In 2:16a, Paul used the present tense when he said that “man is not justified by works of the law.” Here he used the same verb in the future tense. Some ways to translate this verb in the future tense are:

will be considered as blameless in the sight of God

will be accepted as righteous by God

will be considered straight with God’s law

will be made right with God

2:16a–f

(reordered) However, we know that a person is made right with God by believing in Jesus Christ and not by obeying the law. So we also believed in Christ Jesus in order that God would make us right.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰδότες δέ ὅτι οὒ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ἐάν μή διά πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καί ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστόν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ καί οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων νόμου οὒ δικαιωθήσεται πάσα σάρξ)

What follows the word but here is in contrast to what would be naturally be expected by a Jewish person in view of [2:15](../02/15.md). Use a natural way in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: [nevertheless]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἄνθρωπος

˓a˒_person

Although the term man is masculine, Paul is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [person] or [human being]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος & δικαιωθῶμεν & δικαιωθήσεται

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [God justifies no man … God might justify us … will God justify]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

(Occurrence -1) ἔργων νόμου

Paul is using the possessive form to describe the types of works to which he is referring. He is specifically referring to works of the Mosaic law. If this is not clear in your language, you could clarify the relationship for your readers. Alternate translation: [doing the works that are commanded in the law of Moses … doing the things commanded in the law of Moses … doing the things commanded in the law of Moses]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

(Occurrence -1) ἔργων νόμου

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of works, you could express the same idea with a verbal form or in some other way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [obeying the law … doing what the law says … obeying the law]

Note 6 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

νόμου & νόμου & νόμου

˱of˲_law & ˱of˲_law & ˱of˲_law

Here, the law is a singular noun that refers to a group of laws that God gave Israel by dictating them to Moses. If your language does not use singular nouns in that way, you could use a different expression. See how you translated the phrase the law in [Romans 2:12](../rom/02/12.md). Alternate translation: [of God’s laws … of God's laws … of God's laws] or [of the laws God gave Moses … of the laws God gave Moses … of the laws God gave Moses]

Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-exceptions

ἐὰν μὴ

If it would appear in your language that Paul was making a statement here and then contradicting it, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: [but rather, only]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

(Occurrence -1) πίστεως

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of faith, you could express the same idea with a such as believing or trusts, or you could express the meaning in some other way that is natural in your language.

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμεῖς & δικαιωθῶμεν

we & ˱we˲_˓may_be˒_justified

When Paul says we it could be: (1) inclusive if Paul is still addressing Peter. If you decide that this verse is a continuation of the quotation that began in [2:14](../02/14.md), then we is inclusive both times that it occurs in this verse, because Paul is still addressing Peter and would be including Peter and the Jewish Christians in Antioch. Your language may require you to mark these forms. (2) exclusive if you decide that Paul’s quotation of his words to Peter ended at the end [2:14](../02/14.md).

Note 10 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

ἵνα

in_order_that

The phrase so that introduces a purpose clause. Paul is introducing the purpose for which he and the other Jewish believers believed in Christ Jesus, which is so that they might be justified by faith in Christ. Use a natural way in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [in order that]

Note 11 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, οὐ δικαιωθήσεται πᾶσα σάρξ

that because by ˓the˒_works ˱of˲_law (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἰδότες δέ ὅτι οὒ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ἐάν μή διά πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καί ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστόν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ καί οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων νόμου οὒ δικαιωθήσεται πάσα σάρξ)

Here, the word For re-introduces and re-states the reason why Cephas and the other Jewish believers believed in Christ Jesus. They believed in Jesus Christ because by works of the law no flesh will be justified. The phrase by works of the law no flesh will be justified repeats in slightly different words the earlier phrase in the verse which says no man is justified by works of the law. If it would not be natural in your language to re-introduce the reason after the result, you could re-introduce and re-state the result. Alternate translation: [We believed in Christ Jesus because no flesh will be justified by works of the law]

Note 12 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

πᾶσα σάρξ

The word flesh refers to human beings. Paul uses a part of the human body to refer to the entire human. The phrase any flesh means any person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or plain language. Alternate translation: [any person]

Note 13 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

οὐ & ἄνθρωπος & πᾶσα σάρξ

Both the words man and flesh refer to people in general and include all people, both Jewish people and Gentile people, and refer to people of all ages and ethnicities. The phrases no man and any flesh exclude all people, both Jewish people and Gentile people. Paul is saying the same thing in two different ways to emphasize that no person, Jew or Gentile, can be justified by obeying the law. Since Paul explains this truth in this passage, you do not need to explain its meaning further here, but make sure to use words or phrases when translating the words “man” and “flesh” which indicate that these words refer to all people of all ages and ethnicities.

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear GAL 2:16

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)