Galatians 2:3
in Galatians 2Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
KJV
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
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This verse in Galatians 2
Commentary
18 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
But neither Titus, who was with me - Paul introduces this case of Titus undoubtedly to show that circumcision was not necessary for salvation. It was a case just in point. He had gone up to Jerusalem with the express reference to this question. Here was a man whom he had admitted to the Christian church without circumcising him. He claimed that he had a right to do so; and that circumcision was not necessary in order for salvation. If it were necessary, it would have been proper that Titus should have been compelled to submit to it.
This site's exposition
compelled to be circumcised
on Galatians 2:3-5
Titus, a Greek, stood as the test case, and he was not compelled to be circumcised, a decision Paul treats as settling the principle for every Gentile convert after him. The false brethren who came in privily to spy out our liberty are the letter's own first beat of the liberty thread that runs to 5:1 and 5:13; Paul gave no ground for even an hour, because the truth of the gospel itself was at stake, not merely a custom.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
"Yet not even Titus, who was with me and a Greek." He says "who was with me" and "a Greek," that is, uncircumcised. Therefore, being uncircumcised, he was not compelled by the apostles to be circumcised, which would have been a criticism, nor did they …
The implication is "Why should you be circumcised, when Titus was not compelled to undergo circumcision by the apostles? Titus, who had an important role, was accepted without circumcision."
A commentator
Augustine of HippoEPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 11 [1B.2.3-5] · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
It was because of the intrigues of false brethren that Titus was not compelled to be circumcised. It was not possible to require circumcision of him. Those who had crept in to spy on their liberty had a vehement expectation and desire for the circumcision of Titus. They wanted, with Paul's testimony and consent, to preach circumcision as necessary to salvation.
(Vers. 3-5.) But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Gentile, was compelled to be circumcised. Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Gentile.
So great had been his desire to be approved and supported by those whom you wish on all occasions to be understood as in alliance with Judaism! When indeed he says, that "neither was Titus circumcised," he for the first time shows us that circumcision was the only question connected with the maintenance of the law, which had been as yet agitated by those whom he therefore calls "false brethren unawares brought in.
11 more voices on this verse
The Church Fathers2 voices
When he first says, "Neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised," and then adds, "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in," etc.
"But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised." What means, "being a Greek?" Of Greek extraction, and not circumcised; for not only did I so preach but Titus so acted, nor did the Apostles compel him to be circumcised. A plain proof this that the Apostles did not condemn Paul's doctrine or his practice. Nay more, even the urgent representations of the adverse party, who were aware of these facts, did not oblige the Apostles to enjoin circumcision, as appears by his own words.
The Medieval Church3 voices
Uncircumcised Titus, he says, was not compelled to be circumcised. And this serves as the most important proof that the apostles too permitted circumcision not as a law, but according to a certain economy, that is, as a temporary measure of prudent condescension to the …
That is, by the Apostles; which is, of course, a highest proof that they should not pass sentence against the Apostle, who did not circumcise the nations.
Then when he says, "But neither Titus who was with me," he shows what resulted from the discussion held with the apostles. And he mentions three results: That he did not depart from his opinion; That nothing was added to his teaching (v. 6); Thirdly, …
The Puritans and the Awakening4 voices
But neither was Titus who was with me - When I conversed with them. Compelled to be circumcised - A clear proof that none of the apostles insisted on the circumcising gentile believers. The sense is, And it is true, some of those false brethren would fain have compelled Titus to be circumcised; but I utterly refused it.
Peter was the apostle to them; and the ceremonial law, though dead with Christ, yet not being as yet buried, he connived at the respect kept up for it. But Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles; and, though he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, yet he adhered to pure Christianity.
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek,....
This he knew was a doctrine that would be ungrateful to many there, and yet he was not afraid to own it, but in a free and friendly manner lays it open before them and leaves them to judge whether or no it was not the true gospel of Christ.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
But--So far were they from regarding me as running in vain, that "not even Titus who was with me, who was a Greek (and therefore uncircumcised), was compelled to be circumcised." So the Greek should be translated.
But neither Titus, who was with me - The apostle proceeds to state that his account was so satisfactory to the apostles, that they not only did not require him to insist on the necessity of circumcision among the Gentiles, but did not even require him to have Titus, who was a Greek, circumcised; though that might have appeared expedient, especially at Jerusalem, to have prevented false brethren from making a handle of his uncircumcision, and turning it to the prejudice of the Gospel in Judea. To spy out our liberty - The Judaizing brethren got introduced into the assembly of the apostles, in order to find out what was implied in the liberty of the Gospel, that they might know the better how to oppose St. Paul and his fellows in their preaching Christ to the Gentiles, and admitting them into the Church without obliging them to observe circumcision and keep the law. The apostle saw that while such men were in the assembly it was better not to mention his mission among the Gentiles, lest, by means of those false brethren, occasion should be given to altercations and disputes; therefore he took the opportunity, by private conferences, to set the whole matter, relative to his work among the Gentiles, before the chief of the apostles.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | But | G235 → | 635 times |
| οὐδὲ | oude | not even | G3761 → | 141 times |
| Τίτος | titos | Titus | G5103 → | |
| ὁ | ho | who [was] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| σὺν | sun | with | G4862 → | 128 times |
| ἐμοί, | emoi | me myself, | G1473 → | 839 times |
| Ἕλλην | hellen | a Greek | G1672 → | |
| ὤν, | on | being, | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἠναγκάσθη | enagkasthe | was compelled | G315 → | 9 times |
| περιτμηθῆναι· | peritmethenai | to be circumcised; | G4059 → | 17 times |
ἀλλ᾽But
all᾽G235 →635 times
οὐδὲnot even
oudeG3761 →141 times
ΤίτοςTitus
titosG5103 →
ὁwho [was]
hoG3588 →19766 times
σὺνwith
sunG4862 →128 times
ἐμοί,me myself,
emoiG1473 →839 times
Ἕλληνa Greek
hellenG1672 →
ὤν,being,
onG1510 →2333 times
ἠναγκάσθηwas compelled
enagkastheG315 →9 times
περιτμηθῆναι·to be circumcised;
peritmethenaiG4059 →17 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Acts 15:24It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.
it leads to
- Galatians 5:12
As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!
- Acts 15:1
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.”
- Galatians 5:10
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.
- Titus 1:10–11
For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision,
- Galatians 1:7
which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.
- Galatians 5:12
Through
Acts 16:3Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 9:20
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win…
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20
Through
2 Corinthians 2:13I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.
it leads to
- 2 Corinthians 12:18
I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus exploit you in any way? Did we not walk in the same Spirit and follow in the same footsteps?
- 2 Corinthians 12:18
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies5
About Galatians

Who and where
1 name in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 17 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Ambrosiaster, EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 2.3; Augustine of Hippo, EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS 11 [1B.2.3-5]; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Galatians; John Chrysostom, Homily on Galatians 2; John Damascene, Commentary (church-history corpus); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on Galatians; Tertullian, Against Marcion Book V; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Galatians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Galatians.
