Galatians 2:13 – “The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.”

Extended Explanation

This verse continues Paul’s account of what happened in Antioch when Peter (Cephas) acted hypocritically. Paul had just described how Peter withdrew from eating with Gentile believers out of fear of criticism from Jewish Christians. Now, Paul reveals that Peter’s actions had a ripple effect—other Jewish believers followed his example, and even Barnabas, a close partner in Paul’s ministry, was influenced by this behavior.

Paul uses the word “hypocrisy” twice in this verse. The Greek word for hypocrisy originally referred to actors wearing masks in a play. Here, it means pretending to be one thing while acting differently. Peter and the others knew that Gentiles were fully accepted by God through faith in Jesus, but their actions sent the opposite message.

The fact that Barnabas was led astray is especially shocking. Barnabas had worked alongside Paul in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. He had seen firsthand that God welcomed them as they were. Yet, under social pressure, even he acted as if Gentiles were not fully part of God’s family.

Paul is pointing out that when leaders compromise, it doesn’t just affect them—it influences others too. Peter’s mistake caused division and confusion, making it seem like Gentiles needed to follow Jewish customs to be fully accepted in the church.

Historical Context

The early church was still dealing with tensions between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Many Jewish believers had grown up following the Law of Moses, including circumcision and dietary restrictions. Even though they had accepted Jesus as the Messiah, some still struggled with the idea that Gentiles could be saved without following these customs.

This led to a group known as the “circumcision group”—Jewish Christians who insisted that Gentile believers must follow Jewish laws to be fully accepted. Paul strongly opposed this idea because it added human requirements to the gospel.

Peter had previously learned (through a vision in Acts 10) that God accepted Gentiles without requiring them to become Jewish. He had even defended Gentile believers in Acts 15 during the Jerusalem Council. But in Antioch, when Jewish Christians arrived, he allowed fear to influence his actions, leading others—like Barnabas—to follow his example.

Paul saw this as a major problem. The church was supposed to be united as one family in Christ, but Peter’s actions were dividing believers along ethnic lines.

Theological Implications

1. Hypocrisy Harms the Gospel – Peter and the other Jewish believers knew that Gentiles were accepted by God, but their actions sent the wrong message. When Christians live in a way that contradicts what they believe, it confuses people and damages the truth of the gospel.

2. Leadership Comes with Responsibility – Peter and Barnabas were respected leaders, and their actions influenced others. This shows that leaders must be especially careful to live in a way that reflects biblical truth.

3. Faith in Christ Unites Believers – The gospel teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by following certain cultural customs. Dividing believers based on background or tradition goes against the heart of the gospel.

4. Fear of Others Can Lead to Sin – Peter and Barnabas did not withdraw from the Gentiles because they changed their beliefs; they did it out of fear of what others would think. Fear can cause even strong Christians to act in ways that are not consistent with their faith.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s choice of words is strong and intentional:

• “The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy” – This shows that Peter’s actions had an influence on others. He wasn’t the only one at fault; his example led others to act the same way.
• “So that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray” – The phrase “even Barnabas” suggests that this was unexpected. Barnabas had been a strong supporter of Gentile believers, but even he fell into the trap of trying to please others.

Paul’s use of “hypocrisy” twice in one verse emphasizes the seriousness of this issue. It wasn’t just a personal failure—it was a public act that misrepresented the gospel.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 10:34-35 – Peter learns that God does not show favoritism and that Gentiles are accepted by faith.
• Acts 15:1-11 – Peter defends Gentile believers, arguing that they do not need to follow Jewish customs to be saved.
• Matthew 23:13 – Jesus condemns religious leaders for hypocrisy, warning that their actions mislead others.
• Proverbs 29:25 – “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”
• Romans 3:28 – “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse warns us about the danger of hypocrisy. When Christians say one thing but act differently, it damages their witness. People are watching, and when they see inconsistency, it can lead them away from the truth.

It also reminds us that fear of what others think can lead us into sin. Peter and Barnabas knew that Gentiles were fully accepted by God, but they compromised because they were afraid of criticism. Today, we face similar pressures—whether it’s changing our behavior to fit in, staying silent about our faith, or avoiding difficult conversations. This verse challenges us to stand firm in the truth, even when it’s unpopular.

Finally, this verse highlights the importance of leadership. If you are in a position of influence—whether as a pastor, teacher, parent, or mentor—your actions matter. What you do can lead others closer to Christ or further away.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is for all people, regardless of their background. This verse shows how human fear and hypocrisy can get in the way of that truth. But God’s love remains constant. Even when Peter and Barnabas failed, God still used them.

This also shows that God cares about truth. He does not want His people to be misled. That’s why Paul confronted Peter—because God’s love does not allow error to go unchecked. Correction, when done in love, is part of God’s care for His people.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus is the Unifier of Believers – He broke down the barriers between Jews and Gentiles, making them one in Him (Ephesians 2:14-16).
• Jesus Stood for Truth, Even When It Was Hard – Unlike Peter in this situation, Jesus never compromised to please people. He boldly proclaimed truth, even when it was unpopular (John 18:37).
• Jesus is the Perfect Example of Integrity – He never acted hypocritically. His words and actions were always in perfect harmony (1 Peter 2:22).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think Peter and Barnabas gave in to fear, even though they knew the truth?
2. How does fear of others influence the way Christians act today?
3. What are some ways we might unintentionally exclude or look down on other believers?
4. How can we ensure that our actions are consistent with the gospel?
5. Why is it important for Christian leaders to set a good example?

This verse serves as a powerful warning against hypocrisy and a reminder that fear should never control our faith. Just as Paul stood for the truth, we are called to live in a way that reflects the gospel, no matter what pressures come our way.