Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Epistle to the Galatians, Chapter 2ΠΡΟΣ ΓΑΛΑΤΑΣ Β′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Ἔπειτα διὰ δεκατεσσάρων ἐτῶν πάλιν ἀνέβην εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα μετὰ Βαρναβᾶ, συμπαραλαβὼν καὶ Τίτον·

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also;

Narrative sequenceἜπειταThe next stage of Paul's autobiographical defense (continuing 1:18, 21): a second Jerusalem visit, dated and accompanied — establishing his independence yet his contact with the leaders.
Ἔπειταthenadverb (temporal sequence)ἔπειτα: 'thereupon, next'; the serial connective of Paul's narrative (1:18, 21; 2:1), marking successive episodes.
διὰafterpreposition + genitive (interval of time)διά + gen. of time: 'after an interval of' — the lapse of fourteen years.
δεκατεσσάρωνfourteenGenitiveattributive numeralδεκατέσσαρες: 'fourteen'; the interval reckoned either from his conversion or from the visit of 1:18 — a debated chronological datum.
ἐτῶνyearsGenitiveobject of διά (extent of time)ἔτος: 'year'.
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; marks a second ascent to Jerusalem (cf. 1:18).
ἀνέβηνI went upAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend'; the standard idiom for travel to Jerusalem, set on its heights.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ἹεροσόλυμαJerusalemAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of motion)Ἱεροσόλυμα: the Greek (neuter pl.) form of the city's name; the seat of the mother church and its leaders.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)
ΒαρναβᾶBarnabasGenitiveobject of μετά (companion)Βαρναβᾶς: 'son of encouragement' (Acts 4:36); Paul's senior partner in the Antioch mission.
συμπαραλαβὼνtaking alongAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · συμπαραλαμβάνωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist (coincident)συμπαραλαμβάνω: 'take along with' (σύν + παρά + λαμβάνω); deliberately bringing a companion on the journey.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ΤίτονTitusAccusativedirect object of συμπαραλαβώνΤίτος: a Greek (uncircumcised) co-worker; his presence becomes the test-case for the gospel of freedom (v.3).
2

ἀνέβην δὲ κατὰ ἀποκάλυψιν· καὶ ἀνεθέμην αὐτοῖς τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ὃ κηρύσσω ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, κατ' ἰδίαν δὲ τοῖς δοκοῦσιν, μή πως εἰς κενὸν τρέχω ἢ ἔδραμον.

and I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, but privately to those of repute, lest somehow I should be running, or had run, in vain.

Explanation of the visitδὲThe motive and manner: he went by revelation, not summons, and consulted the leaders privately — not to seek their authorization but to secure unhindered continuance of his mission.
ἀνέβηνI went upAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: resumed from v.1 to attach the qualifying phrase 'by revelation.'
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (norm/cause)
ἀποκάλυψινrevelationAccusativeobject of κατά (prompting cause)ἀποκάλυψις: 'unveiling, revelation'; Paul went at divine prompting, not by human convocation — guarding his independence.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀνεθέμηνI laid beforeAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀνατίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀνατίθημι (mid.): 'set forth, lay before for consideration'; to submit a matter for discussion, not for approval.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (the Jerusalem leaders)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativedirect object of ἀνεθέμηνεὐαγγέλιον: 'good news'; here Paul's distinctive law-free message to the nations.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κηρύσσω)
κηρύσσωI proclaimPres Act Indic 1 Sg · κηρύσσωmain verb (relative clause)→ customary presentκηρύσσω: 'herald, proclaim'; the ongoing public announcement that defines Paul's ministry.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθνεσινGentilesDativedat. of sphere (mission field)ἔθνος: 'nation'; plural τὰ ἔθνη = the Gentiles — Paul's appointed sphere.
κατ'inpreposition + accusative (idiom)κατ' ἰδίαν: an idiom, 'privately, in private.'
ἰδίανprivateAccusativeobject of κατά (in the idiom κατ' ἰδίαν)ἴδιος: 'one's own, private'; the consultation was confidential, with the leaders only.
δὲbutconjunction (qualifying)
τοῖςto thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοκοῦσινof reputePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · δοκέωsubstantival participle (indir. obj.)→ customary presentδοκέω: 'seem, be reputed'; οἱ δοκοῦντες = 'those held in esteem,' the recognized leaders — a phrase Paul uses pointedly (vv.6, 9).
μήlestnegative particle (apprehension)μή πως: 'lest somehow,' introducing a clause of fear/concern.
πωςsomehowparticle (indefinite)
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'in vain')εἰς κενόν: an idiom, 'to no purpose, in vain.'
κενὸνvainAccusativeobject of εἰς (in the idiom εἰς κενόν)κενός: 'empty, fruitless'; the dreaded outcome — a ministry running to nothing if disowned and divided.
τρέχωI am runningPres Act Indic/Subj 1 Sg · τρέχωverb in clause of apprehension→ athletic-metaphor presentτρέχω: 'run'; the athletic image for apostolic labor (cf. 5:7; Phil 2:16) — present, the race still under way.
ordisjunctive conjunction
ἔδραμονhad runAor Act Indic 1 Sg · τρέχωverb in clause of apprehension (past aspect)→ constative aorist (completed course)τρέχω (aor. ἔδραμον): the past reach of the same metaphor — the labor already expended would prove fruitless.
3

ἀλλ' οὐδὲ Τίτος ὁ σὺν ἐμοί, Ἕλλην ὤν, ἠναγκάσθη περιτμηθῆναι·

But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised;

Result / vindicationἀλλ'The outcome that vindicates Paul's gospel: the test-case, an uncircumcised Greek, was not forced to be circumcised — the leaders did not require it.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: strong 'but'; turning from the feared outcome to the actual, favorable result.
οὐδὲnot evennegative adverb (emphatic)οὐδέ: 'not even'; heightens the point — circumcision was not so much as imposed.
ΤίτοςTitusNominativesubjectΤίτος: the Greek co-worker (v.1), now the decisive proof that the gospel requires no circumcision.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes the phrase)
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
ἐμοίmeDativeobject of σύν (the one 'with me')
Ἕλληνa GreekNominativepredicate nom. (of ὤν)Ἕλλην: 'Greek,' i.e. a Gentile by birth — hence uncircumcised, the crux of the matter.
ὤνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εἰμίconcessive participle ('though being')→ stative presentεἰμί (ptc. ὤν): here concessive — 'although he was a Greek,' precisely the kind the agitators wanted circumcised.
ἠναγκάσθηwas compelledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγκάζωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναγκάζω: 'compel, force'; the same verb returns at v.14 — no compulsion was applied, and Paul will charge Peter with applying it.
περιτμηθῆναιto be circumcisedAor Pass Inf · περιτέμνωcomplementary infinitive→ constative aoristπεριτέμνω: 'circumcise' (περί + τέμνω, 'cut around'); the covenant rite the agitators sought to impose on Gentile believers.
4

διὰ δὲ τοὺς παρεισάκτους ψευδαδέλφους, οἵτινες παρεισῆλθον κατασκοπῆσαι τὴν ἐλευθερίαν ἡμῶν ἣν ἔχομεν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, ἵνα ἡμᾶς καταδουλώσουσιν,

but it was because of the false brothers secretly brought in — who slipped in to spy out the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us —

Cause / parentheticalδὲWhy the question even arose: infiltrating 'false brothers' came to spy out gospel freedom and reduce believers to bondage — the pressure Paul resisted.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
δὲbutconjunction (continuative/explanatory)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
παρεισάκτουςsecretly brought inAccusativeattributive adjectiveπαρείσακτος: 'smuggled in, brought in alongside'; a rare word connoting clandestine, unauthorized introduction.
ψευδαδέλφουςfalse brothersAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ψευδάδελφος: 'false brother' (ψευδής + ἀδελφός); professing believers whose gospel-denying agenda unmasks them (cf. 2 Cor 11:26).
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative: 'such as')ὅστις: the qualitative relative — 'people of the sort who...,' characterizing the class.
παρεισῆλθονslipped inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεισέρχομαιmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristπαρεισέρχομαι: 'come in alongside, slip in' (cf. Rom 5:20); furtive intrusion into the community.
κατασκοπῆσαιto spy outAor Act Inf · κατασκοπέωinfinitive of purpose→ constative aoristκατασκοπέω: 'spy out, reconnoiter' (cf. κατάσκοπος, 'spy'); espionage imagery — freedom treated as enemy territory.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐλευθερίανfreedomAccusativedirect object of κατασκοπῆσαιἐλευθερία: 'freedom, liberty'; the watchword of Galatians (5:1, 13) — emancipation from law-bondage in Christ.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔχομεν)
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (relative clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the freedom is a present possession, grounded in union with Christ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)ἐν Χριστῷ: the sphere of union with Christ — the ground and locus of the freedom.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition to Χριστῷ
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: introduces the agitators' purpose — enslavement.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of καταδουλώσουσιν
καταδουλώσουσινthey might enslaveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · καταδουλόωverb of purpose (ἵνα + future indic.)→ predictive future (intended result)καταδουλόω: 'enslave utterly' (κατά intensive); the antithesis of ἐλευθερία — to re-impose the yoke of law (cf. 5:1).
5

οἷς οὐδὲ πρὸς ὥραν εἴξαμεν τῇ ὑποταγῇ, ἵνα ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ εὐαγγελίου διαμείνῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς.

to whom we did not yield in submission, not even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel might remain for you.

Resolution / purposeasyndetonPaul's unbending response and its stake: no momentary concession, so that the gospel's truth might be preserved intact for the Galatians themselves.
οἷςto whomDativerelative pronoun (indir. obj. of εἴξαμεν)
οὐδὲnot evennegative adverb (emphatic)οὐδέ: 'not even'; with 'for an hour,' it denies the briefest concession.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (duration)πρὸς ὥραν: an idiom, 'for a while, for a moment.'
ὥρανan hourAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeὥρα: 'hour, brief time'; here 'not even momentarily.'
εἴξαμενwe yieldedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εἴκωmain verb→ constative aoristεἴκω: 'give way, yield' (a NT hapax); to retreat under pressure — which Paul flatly refused.
τῇinDativearticle
ὑποταγῇsubmissionDativedat. of manner/respect (the submission demanded)ὑποταγή: 'subjection, submission'; the demanded compliance Paul withheld.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
theNominativearticle
ἀλήθειαtruthNominativesubject of διαμείνῃἀλήθεια: 'truth'; ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, the gospel's integrity, is the value at stake (cf. v.14).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
εὐαγγελίουgospelGenitiveepexegetic/possessive genitiveεὐαγγέλιον: 'gospel'; the genitive defines the truth — 'the truth that is the gospel.'
διαμείνῃmight remainAor Act Subj 3 Sg · διαμένωverb of purpose (ἵνα + subjunctive)→ constative aorist (durative force)διαμένω: 'remain throughout, continue' (διά perfective); the gospel was to abide unaltered with the Gentile churches.
πρὸςfor/withpreposition + accusative (reference/benefit)
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός (the Galatians)ὑμᾶς: the Galatian readers — Paul's firmness then is for their benefit now.
6

ἀπὸ δὲ τῶν δοκούντων εἶναί τι—ὁποῖοί ποτε ἦσαν οὐδέν μοι διαφέρει· πρόσωπον ὁ θεὸς ἀνθρώπου οὐ λαμβάνει—ἐμοὶ γὰρ οἱ δοκοῦντες οὐδὲν προσανέθεντο,

And from those reputed to be something — what they once were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality — for those of repute added nothing to me,

The leaders' verdictδὲThe crucial concession: the esteemed leaders imposed no addition on Paul. The broken syntax (an aside on God's impartiality) underscores his calculated indifference to mere reputation.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source; sentence resumed at γάρ)ἀπό: begins a construction Paul breaks off and resumes — 'from those reputed... they added nothing to me.'
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοκούντωνreputedPres Act Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · δοκέωsubstantival participle (object of ἀπό)→ customary presentδοκέω: 'be reputed, seem'; οἱ δοκοῦντες, the men of standing — repeated for rhetorical effect (vv.2, 9).
εἶναίto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (of δοκούντων)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; with τι, 'to be something' — to count for much.
τιsomethingNominativepredicate of εἶναι (indefinite)τις: 'someone, something'; here 'persons of consequence.'
ὁποῖοίwhat sortNominativepredicate adj. (indirect question)ὁποῖος: 'of what kind'; introduces the parenthetical aside on their former status.
ποτεonceparticle (temporal indefinite)ποτέ: 'at one time, formerly'; perhaps glancing at the leaders' relationship to the earthly Jesus.
ἦσανthey wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (parenthesis)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί (impf.): of their past standing — irrelevant to Paul's gospel authority.
οὐδένnothingAccusativeaccusative of respect / adverbialοὐδείς: 'nothing'; 'it matters not at all to me.'
μοιto meDativedat. of reference
διαφέρειit makes differencePres Act Indic 3 Sg · διαφέρωmain verb (impersonal)→ gnomic presentδιαφέρω: 'differ, matter'; impersonally 'it makes a difference' — here negated, 'it is all one to me.'
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativedirect object (in the idiom)πρόσωπον λαμβάνω: a Semitism, 'receive the face,' i.e. show favoritism; renders Hebrew nāśāʾ pānîm.
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of λαμβάνειθεός: God; his impartiality (cf. Rom 2:11) underwrites Paul's indifference to human standing.
ἀνθρώπουof a personGenitivegenitive (possessive, of πρόσωπον)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; God does not assess by a person's outward rank.
οὐnotnegative particle
λαμβάνειreceivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (parenthesis)→ gnomic presentλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; in the idiom, to 'accept the face' = to favor by status — which God never does.
ἐμοὶto meDativeindirect object (emphatic, fronted)ἐμοί: the emphatic pronoun resumes the suspended thought from ἀπό.
γὰρforconjunction (resumptive)γάρ: here resumptive after the parenthesis, picking up the broken sentence.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοκοῦντεςof reputePres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · δοκέωsubstantival participle (subject)→ customary presentδοκέω: again 'those reputed' — the threefold repetition (vv.2, 6, 9) keeps a faint irony in play.
οὐδὲνnothingAccusativedirect object of προσανέθεντοοὐδείς: 'nothing'; no requirement was added to Paul's gospel.
προσανέθεντοaddedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · προσανατίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσανατίθημι (mid.): 'add besides, impose further'; the leaders laid no extra burden (e.g. circumcision) on Paul's converts.
7

ἀλλὰ τοὐναντίον ἰδόντες ὅτι πεπίστευμαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τῆς ἀκροβυστίας καθὼς Πέτρος τῆς περιτομῆς,

but on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter to the circumcised —

Positive counterpartἀλλὰFar from adding requirements, the leaders recognized Paul's commission: the gospel to the uncircumcised entrusted to him as the gospel to the circumcised was to Peter — two spheres, one gospel.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; turning to the positive — recognition rather than addition.
τοὐναντίονon the contraryAccusativeadverbial accusative (crasis τὸ ἐναντίον)τοὐναντίον: crasis of τὸ ἐναντίον, 'the opposite, on the contrary.'
ἰδόντεςhaving seenAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωcausal/temporal participle→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see, perceive'; the leaders' recognition of the evident facts of Paul's mission.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of ἰδόντες)
πεπίστευμαιI have been entrusted withPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ intensive perfect (standing commission)πιστεύω (pass.): 'be entrusted with'; the perfect marks an abiding stewardship — Paul's gospel is a trust, not a self-appointment.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativeaccusative of thing entrustedεὐαγγέλιον: the single gospel, here distinguished by mission field, not by content.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀκροβυστίαςuncircumcisionGenitiveobjective genitive (the gospel directed to)ἀκροβυστία: lit. 'foreskin,' metonym for the uncircumcised = the Gentiles; Paul's assigned field.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; sets Paul's commission in exact parallel to Peter's.
ΠέτροςPeterNominativesubject (of an implied 'was entrusted')Πέτρος: the Greek name ('rock') for Cephas; here in his apostleship to Israel.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
περιτομῆςcircumcisionGenitiveobjective genitive (the gospel directed to)περιτομή: 'circumcision,' metonym for the circumcised = the Jews; Peter's assigned field.
8

ὁ γὰρ ἐνεργήσας Πέτρῳ εἰς ἀποστολὴν τῆς περιτομῆς ἐνήργησεν καὶ ἐμοὶ εἰς τὰ ἔθνη,

for he who worked in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised worked also in me for the Gentiles —

Ground of recognitionγὰρThe basis of that recognition: the same God who empowered Peter's apostolate to Israel empowered Paul's to the nations — one divine energy validating both.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐνεργήσαςwho workedAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐνεργέωsubstantival participle (subject = God)→ constative aoristἐνεργέω: 'be at work, energize'; God's effectual operation behind the apostolic mission (cf. Phil 2:13).
Πέτρῳin PeterDativedat. of advantage/sphere ('in/for Peter')Πέτρος: dative of the one in whom God worked effectually.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)
ἀποστολὴνapostleshipAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal)ἀποστολή: 'apostleship, commission'; the office God's energy effected.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
περιτομῆςcircumcisionGenitiveobjective genitive (apostleship to)περιτομή: the circumcised, i.e. Israel — Peter's field.
ἐνήργησενworkedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐνεργέωmain verb→ constative aoristἐνεργέω: the finite verb matching the participle — the same divine working extended to Paul.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
ἐμοὶin meDativedat. of advantage/sphere (parallel to Πέτρῳ)ἐμοί: Paul set in exact parallel with Peter — the same God, the same energy.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηGentilesAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal: apostleship to)ἔθνος: 'nation'; τὰ ἔθνη, the Gentiles — Paul's field, balancing Peter's περιτομή.
9

καὶ γνόντες τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι, Ἰάκωβος καὶ Κηφᾶς καὶ Ἰωάννης, οἱ δοκοῦντες στῦλοι εἶναι, δεξιὰς ἔδωκαν ἐμοὶ καὶ Βαρναβᾷ κοινωνίας, ἵνα ἡμεῖς εἰς τὰ ἔθνη, αὐτοὶ δὲ εἰς τὴν περιτομήν·

and recognizing the grace given to me, James and Cephas and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised;

Formal agreementκαὶThe handshake that seals the accord: the three 'pillars' acknowledge Paul's grace and ratify a division of mission fields — full fellowship, not subordination.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
γνόντεςrecognizingAor Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · γινώσκωcausal/temporal participle→ constative aorist (ingressive)γινώσκω: 'come to know, recognize'; the leaders perceived the grace evident in Paul's ministry.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
χάρινgraceAccusativedirect object of γνόντεςχάρις: 'grace, gift'; here the gracious apostolic commission given to Paul (cf. 1:15; Rom 1:5).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, w/ ptc.)
δοθεῖσάνgivenAor Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · δίδωμιattributive participle→ constative aoristδίδωμι (pass.): 'be given'; the grace is a divine gift — the passive points to God as giver.
μοιto meDativedat. of recipient
ἸάκωβοςJamesNominativesubject (first of three)Ἰάκωβος: James the Lord's brother, head of the Jerusalem church — named first, perhaps by precedence there.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΚηφᾶςCephasNominativesubject (coordinate)Κηφᾶς: the Aramaic name (kêphâʾ, 'rock') for Peter; the form Paul prefers in this chapter (vv.9, 11, 14).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἸωάννηςJohnNominativesubject (coordinate)Ἰωάννης: John the son of Zebedee, the third 'pillar.'
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δοκοῦντεςreputedPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · δοκέωsubstantival participle (apposition)→ customary presentδοκέω: 'be reputed'; the third occurrence (cf. vv.2, 6), here with the honorific 'pillars.'
στῦλοιpillarsNominativepredicate nom. (of εἶναι)στῦλος: 'pillar, column'; a metaphor for foundational leaders, perhaps evoking the temple's supporting columns.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (of δοκοῦντες)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; 'reputed to be pillars.'
δεξιὰςright handsAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκανδεξιά: 'right hand'; giving the right hand was the recognized gesture of pledged partnership.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; here the act of extending fellowship's pledge.
ἐμοὶto meDativeindirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΒαρναβᾷBarnabasDativeindirect object (coordinate)Βαρναβᾶς: Paul's partner, included in the pledge of fellowship.
κοινωνίαςof fellowshipGenitivegenitive of quality (defining δεξιάς)κοινωνία: 'fellowship, partnership'; 'the right hand of fellowship' = a pledge of shared, equal mission.
ἵναthatconjunction (content/purpose of the pact)ἵνα: introduces the substance of the agreement — the division of fields (verb 'go/preach' supplied).
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (Paul and Barnabas; verb elided)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction/field)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηGentilesAccusativeobject of εἰς (Paul's field)ἔθνος: the Gentiles — Paul and Barnabas's appointed mission.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (the pillars; verb elided)
δὲandconjunction (contrastive distribution)
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (field)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
περιτομήνcircumcisionAccusativeobject of εἰς (the pillars' field)περιτομή: the circumcised, i.e. Israel — the pillars' sphere.
10

μόνον τῶν πτωχῶν ἵνα μνημονεύωμεν, ὃ καὶ ἐσπούδασα αὐτὸ τοῦτο ποιῆσαι.

only that we should remember the poor — the very thing I was eager to do.

Single provisoμόνονThe sole stipulation, far from a doctrinal addition: to keep remembering the poor — a charge Paul affirms he had already made his own concern.
μόνονonlyadverb (limiting)μόνον: 'only'; marks the one proviso — significantly not theological but practical.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
πτωχῶνpoorGenitiveobjective genitive (object of μνημονεύωμεν)πτωχός: 'poor, destitute'; likely the impoverished Jerusalem saints — the object of Paul's later collection (Rom 15:26).
ἵναthatconjunction (content of the request)
μνημονεύωμενwe should rememberPres Act Subj 1 Pl · μνημονεύωverb (ἵνα + subjunctive)→ customary present (ongoing remembrance)μνημονεύω: 'remember, be mindful of'; the present subjunctive implies continued, practical care, not a single act.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐσπούδασα/ποιῆσαι)
καὶalso/indeedadverbial (emphatic)
ἐσπούδασαI was eagerAor Act Indic 1 Sg · σπουδάζωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristσπουδάζω: 'be zealous, make every effort'; Paul did not merely comply but had already embraced the concern.
αὐτὸthis veryAccusativeintensive pronoun (w/ τοῦτο)αὐτός: intensive — 'this very thing,' emphasizing his prior commitment.
τοῦτοthingAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι (resumes ὅ)οὗτος: 'this'; αὐτὸ τοῦτο, 'this very thing.'
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (of ἐσπούδασα)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do, make'; what Paul was eager to carry out — care for the poor.
11

Ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν Κηφᾶς εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν, κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῷ ἀντέστην, ὅτι κατεγνωσμένος ἦν.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

New episode / confrontationδὲA sharp turn from accord to conflict: at Antioch Paul confronts Cephas openly. The clause 'he stood condemned' states the verdict before narrating the offense.
Ὅτεwhentemporal conjunctionὅτε: 'when'; introduces the Antioch incident.
δὲbutconjunction (contrastive/transitional)
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come, go'; Cephas's arrival at the mixed Antioch church sets the scene.
ΚηφᾶςCephasNominativesubjectΚηφᾶς: Peter, here named by his Aramaic title — the very 'pillar' now in the wrong.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)
ἈντιόχειανAntiochAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)Ἀντιόχεια: Antioch in Syria, the first mixed Jew-Gentile church and base of the Gentile mission.
κατὰtopreposition + accusative (idiom)κατὰ πρόσωπον: an idiom, 'face to face, openly.'
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of κατά (in the idiom)πρόσωπον: 'face'; the confrontation was direct and public, not behind his back.
αὐτῷhimDativedat. complement of ἀντέστην
ἀντέστηνI opposedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀνθίστημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀνθίστημι: 'set oneself against, oppose, resist'; Paul withstood Peter to his face — apostle against apostle on principle.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
κατεγνωσμένοςcondemnedPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · καταγινώσκωperfect periphrastic (w/ ἦν): 'he stood condemned'→ intensive perfect (settled state)καταγινώσκω: 'condemn, find at fault'; the periphrastic perfect marks a state — Peter stood self-convicted by his own conduct.
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic w/ κατεγνωσμένος)→ stative imperfectεἰμί: forms the periphrastic perfect — 'he had become and remained condemned.'
12

πρὸ τοῦ γὰρ ἐλθεῖν τινας ἀπὸ Ἰακώβου μετὰ τῶν ἐθνῶν συνήσθιεν· ὅτε δὲ ἦλθον, ὑπέστελλεν καὶ ἀφώριζεν ἑαυτόν, φοβούμενος τοὺς ἐκ περιτομῆς.

For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to draw back and separate himself, fearing those of the circumcision.

Ground: the offense narratedγὰρThe conduct that condemned him: having freely eaten with Gentiles, Peter withdrew when men from James arrived — table-fellowship abandoned out of fear.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (time)πρὸ τοῦ + inf.: 'before' — a temporal articular-infinitive construction.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (w/ infinitive)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐλθεῖνcomingAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (temporal, w/ πρό)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the arrival of the men from James marks the turning point.
τιναςcertain menAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitiveτις: 'someone, certain'; the unnamed emissaries whose coming triggered Peter's retreat.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἸακώβουJamesGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source/associated with)Ἰάκωβος: James of Jerusalem; whether the men carried his authorization or merely came from his circle is debated.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἐθνῶνGentilesGenitiveobject of μετά (table companions)ἔθνος: the Gentile believers — sharing meals symbolized full, undivided fellowship.
συνήσθιενhe used to eat withImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · συνεσθίωmain verb (first clause)→ customary imperfectσυνεσθίω: 'eat together with'; the imperfect marks Peter's habitual practice — open table-fellowship with Gentiles.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
δὲbutconjunction (contrastive)
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: their actual arrival — the moment of Peter's change.
ὑπέστελλενhe began to draw backImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑποστέλλωmain verb→ inceptive imperfectὑποστέλλω: 'draw back, withdraw' (a term for furling sail or shrinking in fear); the imperfect marks the onset of retreat.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀφώριζενseparatedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφορίζωmain verb (coordinate)→ inceptive imperfectἀφορίζω: 'mark off, separate'; the same verb as Paul's being 'set apart' (Rom 1:1) — here a wrongful self-segregation.
ἑαυτόνhimselfAccusativereflexive direct objectἑαυτοῦ: reflexive — Peter withdrew himself from the common table.
φοβούμενοςfearingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · φοβέομαιcausal participle (motive)→ present (concurrent cause)φοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid'; the motive was not conviction but fear of the circumcision party.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes the phrase)
ἐκofpreposition + genitive (origin/party)οἱ ἐκ περιτομῆς: 'those of the circumcision' — the Jewish-Christian party insisting on the law.
περιτομῆςthe circumcisionGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the party)περιτομή: here the pro-circumcision faction whose disapproval Peter feared.
13

καὶ συνυπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ καὶ οἱ λοιποὶ Ἰουδαῖοι, ὥστε καὶ Βαρναβᾶς συναπήχθη αὐτῶν τῇ ὑποκρίσει.

And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with them by their hypocrisy.

Spread of the offenseκαὶThe contagion: Peter's withdrawal swept up the other Jewish believers, and even Barnabas — Paul's own partner — was drawn into the pretense.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
συνυπεκρίθησανjoined in hypocrisyAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνυποκρίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristσυνυποκρίνομαι: 'play a part together, join in hypocrisy' (a NT hapax); the conduct denied in act what they professed in faith.
αὐτῷwith himDativedat. of association (with Peter)
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
οἱtheNominativearticle
λοιποὶrestNominativeattributive adjective (subject)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the other Jewish believers at Antioch.
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativesubjectἸουδαῖος: 'Jew, Judean'; the Jewish-Christian members who followed Peter's lead.
ὥστεso thatconjunction (result)ὥστε: 'so that'; introduces the culminating result — even Barnabas.
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)
ΒαρναβᾶςBarnabasNominativesubject (result clause)Βαρναβᾶς: Paul's mission partner; his defection shows how far the pressure reached — and may foreshadow their later parting.
συναπήχθηwas carried away withAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · συναπάγωmain verb (result clause)→ constative aoristσυναπάγω: 'lead/carry away together'; passive — swept along by the current of the others' pretense.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (of ὑποκρίσει)
τῇtheDativearticle
ὑποκρίσειhypocrisyDativedat. of means/causeὑπόκρισις: 'play-acting, hypocrisy' (from the actor's role); their behavior contradicted their gospel conviction.
14

ἀλλ' ὅτε εἶδον ὅτι οὐκ ὀρθοποδοῦσιν πρὸς τὴν ἀλήθειαν τοῦ εὐαγγελίου, εἶπον τῷ Κηφᾷ ἔμπροσθεν πάντων· Εἰ σὺ Ἰουδαῖος ὑπάρχων ἐθνικῶς καὶ οὐκ Ἰουδαϊκῶς ζῇς, πῶς τὰ ἔθνη ἀναγκάζεις ἰουδαΐζειν;

But when I saw that they were not walking straight toward the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: "If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?"

Public rebukeἀλλ'Paul's open challenge, the hinge of the chapter: the conduct contradicted the gospel, so he exposes Peter's inconsistency — a Jew living as a Gentile cannot coerce Gentiles to Judaize.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; Paul's response over against the spreading hypocrisy.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (temporal clause)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see, perceive'; Paul discerned the doctrinal stakes of the table-conduct.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of εἶδον)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ὀρθοποδοῦσινthey walk straightPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρθοποδέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ descriptive presentὀρθοποδέω: 'walk straight, go on a right course' (ὀρθός + πούς; a NT hapax); their gait did not run true toward the gospel.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (standard/direction)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀλήθειανtruthAccusativeobject of πρός (the standard)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ εὐαγγελίου again (cf. v.5) — the measure their conduct failed.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
εὐαγγελίουgospelGenitiveepexegetic genitiveεὐαγγέλιον: the gospel whose truth was being practically denied.
εἶπονI saidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say'; introduces Paul's reported speech to Peter.
τῷtoDativearticle
ΚηφᾷCephasDativeindirect object (addressee)Κηφᾶς: Peter, addressed by name in the public rebuke.
ἔμπροσθενbeforepreposition + genitive (place/presence)ἔμπροσθεν: 'in front of, before'; the rebuke was public, matching the public wrong.
πάντωνallGenitiveobject of ἔμπροσθενπᾶς: 'all'; the whole assembly witnessed the confrontation.
Εἰifconjunction (first-class condition)εἰ: introduces a condition assumed true — 'since you, as is the case, live like a Gentile.'
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)σύ: emphatic — 'you, of all people, a Jew.'
Ἰουδαῖοςa JewNominativepredicate nom. (of ὑπάρχων)Ἰουδαῖος: 'Jew'; Peter's ethnic-covenantal identity, which makes his coercion the more inconsistent.
ὑπάρχωνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑπάρχωconcessive/causal participle→ stative presentὑπάρχω: 'be, exist (as)'; a near-synonym of εἰμί stressing inherent status — 'being by nature a Jew.'
ἐθνικῶςlike a Gentileadverb (manner)ἐθνικῶς: 'in Gentile fashion'; Peter's prior free table-fellowship was itself 'living like a Gentile.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
Ἰουδαϊκῶςlike a Jewadverb (manner)Ἰουδαϊκῶς: 'in Jewish fashion'; i.e. not by strict observance of the food/separation laws.
ζῇςyou livePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ζάωmain verb (protasis)→ customary presentζάω: 'live'; here 'conduct one's life,' the daily practice in question.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how?'; a rhetorical question exposing the contradiction.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηGentilesAccusativedirect object of ἀναγκάζειςἔθνος: the Gentile believers whom Peter's withdrawal effectively pressured.
ἀναγκάζειςdo you compelPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀναγκάζωmain verb (apodosis, rhetorical)→ conative present (attempted compulsion)ἀναγκάζω: 'compel, force'; the same verb as v.3 — what was refused for Titus, Peter's example now effectively imposes.
ἰουδαΐζεινto live as JewsPres Act Inf · ἰουδαΐζωcomplementary infinitive→ customary presentἰουδαΐζω: 'live as a Jew, adopt Jewish customs'; to require Gentiles to keep the law is to nullify the gospel of grace.
15

Ἡμεῖς φύσει Ἰουδαῖοι καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἐθνῶν ἁμαρτωλοί,

We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners,

Shared premiseasyndetonThe pivot from narrative to theology (whether still addressed to Peter or to the readers is unmarked): Paul begins from the common Jewish-Christian standpoint, only to overturn its complacency.
ἩμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we' — Paul, Peter, and Jewish believers by birth.
φύσειby birthDativedat. of respect/mannerφύσις: 'nature, birth'; 'by nature/birth Jews,' i.e. born within the covenant people.
ἸουδαῖοιJewsNominativepredicate nominativeἸουδαῖος: 'Jew'; the privileged covenant identity that nevertheless cannot justify (v.16).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐξfrom amongpreposition + genitive (origin)
ἐθνῶνGentilesGenitiveobject of ἐξ (origin)ἔθνος: 'nation'; 'sinners from among the Gentiles' was a standard Jewish description of the lawless nations.
ἁμαρτωλοίsinnersNominativepredicate nom. (apposition)ἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner'; here echoing the Jewish label for Gentiles — a category Paul will subvert (vv.16–17).
16

εἰδότες δὲ ὅτι οὐ δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ἔργων νόμου ἐὰν μὴ διὰ πίστεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ ἡμεῖς εἰς Χριστὸν Ἰησοῦν ἐπιστεύσαμεν, ἵνα δικαιωθῶμεν ἐκ πίστεως Χριστοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐξ ἔργων νόμου, ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων νόμου οὐ δικαιωθήσεται πᾶσα σάρξ.

yet knowing that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no flesh will be justified.

Thesis: justification by faithδὲThe doctrinal heart of the letter: justification is by faith in Christ, not by works of law — stated, applied ('even we believed'), and clinched by an echo of Psalm 143:2. Note the πίστις Χριστοῦ debate at the genitive phrases.
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαconcessive/causal participle→ intensive perfect (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); the shared, settled conviction from which the argument proceeds.
δὲyetconjunction (mildly adversative)
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of εἰδότες)
οὐnotnegative particle
δικαιοῦταιis justifiedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ gnomic presentδικαιόω: 'declare righteous, justify'; a forensic verb — God's acquitting verdict, the controlling term of the argument.
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubject (generic)ἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the principle holds for anyone, Jew or Gentile.
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (source/basis)ἐξ ἔργων νόμου: 'on the basis of works of law' — the denied ground of justification.
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐξ (basis)ἔργον: 'work, deed'; ἔργα νόμου, 'works of the law' — deeds the law prescribes, whether as covenant-markers or as obedience generally.
νόμουof lawGenitivegenitive (source/definition of ἔργων)νόμος: 'law'; the Mosaic law, whose 'works' cannot be the basis of acquittal.
ἐὰνexceptconjunction (ἐὰν μή, 'except, but only')ἐὰν μή: 'unless, except'; here contrastive — 'not... but rather through faith' (an exceptive idiom, not a partial concession).
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ ἐάν)
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)διὰ πίστεως: 'through faith' — faith as the instrument, not the ground, of justification.
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of διά (means)πίστις: 'faith, trust'; the means by which Christ's saving benefit is received.
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive: objective ('faith in Jesus') or subjective ('Jesus' faithfulness')πίστις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ: the disputed phrase. Traditionally an objective genitive, 'faith in Jesus Christ'; the 'subjective' reading takes it as 'the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.' The objective sense is followed here, supported by the explicit 'we believed in Christ' that follows.
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition to Ἰησοῦ
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)ἡμεῖς: 'we' Jewish believers acted on this knowledge — even we, who had the law, turned to faith.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (direction of faith)ἐπιστεύσαμεν εἰς: 'believed into/in' — faith directed toward and resting on Christ.
ΧριστὸνChristAccusativeobject of εἰς (the object of faith)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the explicit object 'we believed in Christ' favors reading the πίστις-genitives objectively.
ἸησοῦνJesusAccusativeapposition to Χριστόν
ἐπιστεύσαμενwe believedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (ingressive: came to faith)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the decisive act of coming to faith in Christ.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
δικαιωθῶμενwe might be justifiedAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · δικαιόωverb of purpose (ἵνα + subjunctive)→ constative aoristδικαιόω: 'justify'; the purpose of believing — to be acquitted by faith, not by law-works.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (basis)ἐκ πίστεως: 'on the basis of faith' (cf. Hab 2:4; Gal 3:11) — the saving principle.
πίστεωςfaithGenitiveobject of ἐκ (basis)πίστις: 'faith'; here the means/basis of the verdict.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive: objective ('in Christ') or subjective ('Christ's faithfulness')πίστις Χριστοῦ: the phrase recurs; the same objective/subjective debate applies. The flow 'we believed... that we might be justified by faith' supports 'faith in Christ.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (basis, denied)
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐξἔργον: 'work'; the denied ground, repeated for emphasis.
νόμουof lawGenitivegenitive (definition of ἔργων)νόμος: 'law'.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἐξbypreposition + genitive (basis, denied)
ἔργωνworksGenitiveobject of ἐξ
νόμουof lawGenitivegenitive (definition)
οὐnotnegative particle
δικαιωθήσεταιwill be justifiedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · δικαιόωmain verb (causal clause)→ gnomic/predictive futureδικαιόω: 'justify'; the future echoes Ps 143:2 (LXX 142:2), 'no living being is righteous before you.'
πᾶσαall/anyNominativeattributive adjective (w/ negative: 'no')πᾶς: 'all'; with the negation, the Semitic 'all... not' = 'no flesh whatever.'
σάρξfleshNominativesubjectσάρξ: 'flesh'; here 'no human being,' a Hebraism (kol bāśār) for all mortals — echoing the Psalm.
17

εἰ δὲ ζητοῦντες δικαιωθῆναι ἐν Χριστῷ εὑρέθημεν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἁμαρτωλοί, ἆρα Χριστὸς ἁμαρτίας διάκονος; μὴ γένοιτο.

But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? By no means!

Objection rebuttedδὲAn anticipated objection: if justification by faith puts Jews in the 'sinner' category alongside Gentiles, does Christ thereby promote sin? Paul recoils with his strongest denial.
εἰifconjunction (conditional)
δὲbutconjunction (transitional)
ζητοῦντεςseekingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ζητέωtemporal/concessive participle→ present (concurrent)ζητέω: 'seek'; the very pursuit of justification in Christ raised the objection.
δικαιωθῆναιto be justifiedAor Pass Inf · δικαιόωcomplementary infinitive (of ζητοῦντες)→ constative aoristδικαιόω: 'justify'; the object of the seeking.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)ἐν Χριστῷ: the sphere in which justification is sought and found.
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of ἐν
εὑρέθημενwe were foundAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristεὑρίσκω (pass.): 'be found, prove to be'; if seeking Christ exposes Jews too as 'sinners' (needing grace, not law).
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
αὐτοὶourselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (subject)αὐτός: intensive — 'we ourselves,' the Jews by birth, found in the same need as Gentile 'sinners.'
ἁμαρτωλοίsinnersNominativepredicate nominativeἁμαρτωλός: 'sinner'; picks up v.15 — the law-keeper proves to stand with the 'Gentile sinner' before God.
ἆραtheninterrogative particle (expecting denial)ἆρα: introduces a question, here inferential and rhetorical — 'does it then follow that...?'
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject (of implied ἐστιν)Χριστός: 'Christ'; the absurd conclusion the objector would draw.
ἁμαρτίαςof sinGenitiveobjective/descriptive genitive (of διάκονος)ἁμαρτία: 'sin'; would Christ then be sin's agent — promoting the very thing he saves from?
διάκονοςservantNominativepredicate nominativeδιάκονος: 'servant, minister'; the blasphemous notion Paul raises only to crush.
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ optative)
γένοιτοmay it beAor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (volitive optative)→ optative of strong denialγίνομαι: 'become, happen'; μὴ γένοιτο, 'God forbid! By no means!' — Paul's emphatic repudiation (cf. Rom 3:4).
18

εἰ γὰρ ἃ κατέλυσα ταῦτα πάλιν οἰκοδομῶ, παραβάτην ἐμαυτὸν συνιστάνω.

For if I rebuild the very things that I tore down, I prove myself a transgressor.

Ground for the denialγὰρWhy Christ is no servant of sin: the real transgression would be to rebuild the law-system once demolished — turning back, not faith, is the sin.
εἰifconjunction (conditional)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
the things whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατέλυσα)
κατέλυσαI tore downAor Act Indic 1 Sg · καταλύωmain verb (relative clause)→ constative aoristκαταλύω: 'demolish, abolish'; the architectural image — the law as the dismantled structure.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeresumptive direct object (of οἰκοδομῶ)οὗτος: 'these'; resumes ἅ for emphasis — 'these very things.'
πάλινagainadverb (repetition)πάλιν: 'again'; to reconstruct what one rightly destroyed.
οἰκοδομῶI buildPres Act Indic 1 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (protasis)→ present (vivid/hypothetical)οἰκοδομέω: 'build (a house)'; reversing the demolition would re-erect the law as the basis of standing.
παραβάτηνtransgressorAccusativeobject complement (of ἐμαυτόν)παραβάτης: 'transgressor' (one who steps across a line); ironically, the law-rebuilder, not the believer, becomes the lawbreaker.
ἐμαυτὸνmyselfAccusativereflexive direct objectἐμαυτοῦ: 'myself'; Paul applies the case to himself, sharpening the warning to Peter.
συνιστάνωI prove/establishPres Act Indic 1 Sg · συνίστημιmain verb (apodosis)→ present (consequent)συνίστημι: 'commend, demonstrate, prove'; to rebuild the law would be self-incriminating evidence of transgression.
19

ἐγὼ γὰρ διὰ νόμου νόμῳ ἀπέθανον ἵνα θεῷ ζήσω. Χριστῷ συνεσταύρωμαι·

For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ;

Personal ground / testimonyγὰρPaul's own case put paradoxically: the law itself brought about his death to the law, freeing him for God — a death realized in being crucified with Christ.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)ἐγώ: emphatic — Paul makes the argument personal and exemplary.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)διὰ νόμου: 'through the law' — the law itself, by its sentence of death (cf. 3:13), was the means.
νόμουlawGenitiveobject of διά (means)νόμος: 'law'; the very law condemned him to a death that ended the law's claim.
νόμῳto the lawDativedat. of reference/disadvantage ('died to')νόμος: dative — 'died with reference to the law,' its jurisdiction over him ended.
ἀπέθανονI diedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive event)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; a definitive death to the law's domain, accomplished in Christ's death.
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
θεῷto GodDativedat. of advantage ('live to/for God')θεός: God; the goal of the death — a new life lived toward God, not under law.
ζήσωI might liveAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ζάωverb of purpose (ἵνα + subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist (enter life)ζάω: 'live'; the purpose of dying to law — life for God, the true end of the gospel.
Χριστῷwith ChristDativedat. of association (w/ συνεσταύρωμαι)Χριστός: dative of association built into the σύν-verb — 'crucified together with Christ.'
συνεσταύρωμαιI have been crucified withPerf Pass Indic 1 Sg · συσταυρόωmain verb→ intensive perfect (abiding result)συσταυρόω: 'crucify together with' (σύν + σταυρόω); the perfect marks a past crucifixion-with-Christ whose effect abides — the old 'I' is dead.
20

ζῶ δὲ οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δὲ ἐν ἐμοὶ Χριστός· ὃ δὲ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, ἐν πίστει ζῶ τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ἀγαπήσαντός με καὶ παραδόντος ἑαυτὸν ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ.

and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

New life definedδὲThe resurrection side of the paradox: the crucified self is replaced by the indwelling Christ; present bodily life is lived by faith in the self-giving Son — the affective climax of the chapter.
ζῶI livePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ζάωmain verb→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; the new existence following the death of v.19.
δὲand yetconjunction (mildly adversative)
οὐκέτιno longeradverb (negation of time)οὐκέτι: 'no longer'; the autonomous self has ceased to be the living agent.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic, now negated)ἐγώ: the old 'I' that died with Christ — no longer the one who lives.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (contrastive clause)→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; now with Christ as subject — he is the life within.
δὲbutconjunction (contrastive)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (indwelling)ἐν ἐμοί: 'in me' — the indwelling of the risen Christ.
ἐμοὶmeDativeobject of ἐν
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubject of ζῇΧριστός: the living subject of the believer's new existence.
that whichAccusativerelative/accusative of respect ('the life that')ὅ: 'what'; an accusative of respect — 'as for what I now live.'
δὲandconjunction (continuative)
νῦνnowadverb (time)νῦν: 'now'; the present, post-conversion life.
ζῶI livePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ζάωmain verb (relative clause)→ stative presentζάω: 'live'; the ongoing bodily life.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν σαρκί: 'in the flesh' — in the body, ordinary earthly existence (not the ethical 'flesh').
σαρκίfleshDativedat. of sphere (bodily existence)σάρξ: 'flesh'; here neutral — embodied, mortal life still to be lived out.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (means/manner)ἐν πίστει: 'by faith' — the principle and atmosphere of the new life.
πίστειfaithDativedat. of means (governs τῇ τοῦ υἱοῦ)πίστις: 'faith'; the life now lived is sustained by faith directed to the Son.
ζῶI livePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ζάωmain verb (resumed)→ stative presentζάω: repeated to attach the qualifying 'by faith in the Son of God.'
τῇtheDativearticle (resumes πίστει, governs gen.)
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
υἱοῦSonGenitivegenitive: objective ('faith in the Son') or subjective ('the Son's faithfulness')πίστις τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ: the πίστις-genitive again. Objective ('faith in the Son of God') is followed here; a subjective reading ('the faithfulness of the Son') is the alternative in the same debate as v.16.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship (Son of God)θεός: God; 'the Son of God,' the supreme object of saving faith.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἀγαπήσαντόςwho lovedAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ἀγαπάωattributive participle (of υἱοῦ)→ constative aorist (the love shown at the cross)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the aorist points to the decisive act of love — the self-giving of the cross.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπήσαντοςἐγώ (acc.): 'me'; Paul makes the universal gospel intensely personal — 'loved me.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
παραδόντοςgave upAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · παραδίδωμιattributive participle (coordinate)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, give up'; the surrender of himself to death — voluntary self-giving (cf. 1:4).
ἑαυτὸνhimselfAccusativereflexive direct objectἑαυτοῦ: 'himself'; the Son gave his very self, not merely something of his.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (substitution/benefit)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, in place of'; the substitutionary 'for me.'
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ (beneficiary)ἐγώ (gen.): 'me'; the personal appropriation of Christ's atoning death.
21

οὐκ ἀθετῶ τὴν χάριν τοῦ θεοῦ· εἰ γὰρ διὰ νόμου δικαιοσύνη, ἄρα Χριστὸς δωρεὰν ἀπέθανεν.

I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

Conclusion: grace not nullifiedasyndetonThe chapter's clinching reductio: to seek righteousness by law is to nullify grace and render the cross pointless. The stakes could not be higher — Christ's death itself.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἀθετῶI nullifyPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀθετέωmain verb→ descriptive presentἀθετέω: 'set aside, nullify, declare void'; Paul refuses to treat God's grace as if it were of no effect — the charge he turns back on the law-keepers.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
χάρινgraceAccusativedirect object of ἀθετῶχάρις: 'grace'; God's unmerited saving favor — the principle that law-righteousness would void.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/possessionθεός: God; the grace is his, given in Christ.
εἰifconjunction (conditional, contrary-to-fact in force)εἰ: introduces a supposition Paul regards as false — 'if (which is not so) righteousness were by law.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means)διὰ νόμου: 'through the law' — the rejected channel of righteousness.
νόμουlawGenitiveobject of διά (means)νόμος: 'law'; if it could confer righteousness, the cross would be superfluous.
δικαιοσύνηrighteousnessNominativesubject (verb 'comes/is' elided)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; the right standing before God that only grace, through faith, can grant.
ἄραtheninferential particle (apodosis)ἄρα: 'then, consequently'; draws the unacceptable conclusion.
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Christ'; his death is the decisive datum that exposes the falsehood of law-righteousness.
δωρεὰνfor nothingAccusativeadverbial accusative ('without cause/in vain')δωρεάν: 'as a gift, gratuitously,' hence 'needlessly, to no purpose'; the cross would be a pointless waste.
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (apodosis)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the historical fact of Christ's death — rendered meaningless if the law could justify. So righteousness must be by grace through faith.