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Galatians 2 · a question people ask

"the false brothers secretly brought in" (2:4). Who were they?

In the text

The letter doesn't name them. It says they "stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" (2:4), and that "we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour" (2:5). It doesn't say who brought them in, or whether they are any of the others the letter speaks of, and these notes don't either. They name no one, and apply the words to no teacher, church or group today.

The verses

“This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.”
Galatians 2:4-5 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Galatians 2

Galatians 2: Christ lives in me

In Galatians 2, respected and reputed are one verb four times (2:2, 2:6, 2:9); by the WEB's marks the words said "to Peter before them all" (2:14) run to the end of the chapter; and in 2:20 live is one verb four times: "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me".

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions