(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul highlights that the same God who empowered Peter to minister to Jewish people also empowered him to minister to Gentiles. This emphasizes that their authority and effectiveness didn't come from human recognition but from God's direct work in and through them, putting them on equal footing.
(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles),
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is recounting a pivotal meeting in Jerusalem where the other apostles recognized his unique commission to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people. This verse emphasizes that the same divine power that empowered Peter's ministry to Jewish people was also at work through Paul with the Gentiles, demonstrating God's equal endorsement of both roles. This agreement established a clear division of labor: Peter and his associates would focus on Jewish communities, while Paul and Barnabas would take the gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul is drawing a direct line between his authority and Peter's. How can he confidently equate his mission to the Gentiles with Peter's to the Jews?
Paul isn't just saying he and Peter were equally important in the eyes of men. He's arguing they were equally commissioned by God.
A Shared Source of Power
The key phrase is 'He who worked effectively...' (or 'worked powerfully'). Paul is pointing to God Himself as the power behind both Peter's ministry to the circumcised (Jews) and his own ministry to the Gentiles.
Divine Endorsement, Not Human Opinion
This wasn't about the opinions of the Jerusalem leaders (like James, Cephas, and John) about who was 'more' of an apostle. It was about God's undeniable power at work through them. Their effectiveness wasn't a matter of human skill or earthly status, but of divine enablement.
Equal Authority, Different Spheres
Because the same God powerfully worked through both Peter and Paul, their apostolic callings were on equal footing. However, their missions were distinct: Peter to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles. This established equality in divine commissioning is crucial for Paul's argument against those who questioned his authority.
Ask a follow-up
Paul and Peter had distinct spheres of ministry. What does this division reveal about God's plan for reaching the whole world?
Paul uses the terms 'circumcision' and 'Gentiles' to clearly delineate the primary mission fields God assigned to him and Peter.
The Apostle to the Jews
Peter's apostolic work was specifically focused on the 'circumcision' – the Jewish people. This was his God-given mandate, where he would see God working powerfully.
The Apostle to the Nations
Paul, on the other hand, was commissioned as the apostle to the 'Gentiles' – all the non-Jewish peoples. His ministry was marked by God's might in reaching these diverse groups.
Strategic Unity in Diversity
This division wasn't about hierarchy but about strategy. God strategically deployed his apostles to reach all corners of humanity. By acknowledging these distinct but equally vital missions, Paul validated his own apostleship and the gospel he preached to the Gentiles, showing it was as divinely ordained as Peter's ministry to Israel.
Understand the original words
ethnos · Greek Noun
A term denoting the non-Jewish nations of the world; those outside the covenantal law of Israel, now invited to participate in the gospel through faith.
apostolē · Greek Noun
A role commissioned by Christ, characterized by being sent out with divine authority to witness to the resurrection and establish the teachings of the church.
This verse highlights the divine origin and equal authority of both Peter's and Paul's apostolic ministries, sanctioned by the early church leaders at the Jerusalem Council, emphasizing that God empowered each uniquely for their respective fields of labor.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles
Jesus chooses twelve men to be his closest followers and to spread his message, laying the foundation for the early church.
c. AD 30-36
Peter's Ministry to Jews
Peter, a leading apostle, primarily focuses his ministry on Jewish people, often referred to as 'the circumcision'. This includes significant events like preaching at Pentecost and ministering to Cornelius.
c. AD 33-35
Paul's Conversion and Early Ministry
Paul, formerly a persecutor, is dramatically converted and begins his own ministry, initially focused on Jewish communities.
c. AD 46-48
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas embark on their first major missionary journey, venturing into Gentile territories and establishing churches among non-Jewish people.
c. AD 49— this verse
The Jerusalem Council
A pivotal meeting in Jerusalem where the apostles and elders discuss whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law. James, Peter, and John affirm Paul's ministry to the Gentiles, establishing a clear division of labor.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Second Missionary Journey
Paul travels extensively through Gentile regions, including Greece, strengthening the churches he had previously founded and facing opposition.
This passage also highlights that God is the one at work, enabling different ministries and gifts, mirroring how Paul emphasizes God's power working through both Peter and himself.
Philippians 2:13This verse speaks to God's active presence within believers, working out His will and purpose, which directly supports Paul's assertion that God was the active force behind his and Peter's ministries.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's encounter with Cornelius demonstrates God showing no partiality and accepting Gentiles, which directly relates to the 'apostleship to the Gentiles' that Paul refers to.
Ephesians 3:7Paul calls himself a 'minister according to the gift of God' that was given to him through His working power, aligning with the idea in Galatians 2:8 that God's power was mightily at work in him.
Romans 11:13Paul's own declaration of being an apostle to the Gentiles highlights his unique commission, reinforcing the distinction and divine enablement he draws between his ministry and Peter's.
vincentGalatians 2:8: "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"
He that wrought effectually (ὁ ἐνεργήσας)See on 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Rev. omits effectually, but it is fairly implied in the verb. Comp. 1 Corinthians 12:6; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:29. The reference is to God, not to Christ.In Peter (Πέτρῳ)Better, for Peter. In Peter would be ἐν Πέτρῳ.Unto the apostleship (εἰς)Not merely with referen…
pooleGalatians 2:8: "(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)"
As Paul’s call was equal to that of Peter both of them being Divine, so, saith the apostle, my ability and success was equal; as God wrought effectually in and by Peter in the discharge of his apostleship in the province intrusted to him, (which was preaching to the Jews), so he wrought effectually and mightily in me, or by me, in the province wherei…
Paul highlights that the same God who empowered Peter to minister to Jewish people also empowered him to minister to Gentiles. This emphasizes that their authority and effectiveness didn't come from human recognition but from God's direct work in and through them, putting them on equal footing.
Paul is recounting a pivotal meeting in Jerusalem where the other apostles recognized his unique commission to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people. This verse emphasizes that the same divine power that empowered Peter's ministry to Jewish people was also at work through Paul with the Gentiles, demonstrating God's equal endorsement of both roles. This agreement established a clear division of labor: Peter and his associates would focus on Jewish communities, while Paul and Barnabas would take the gospel to the Gentiles.
Paul is recounting a pivotal meeting in Jerusalem where the other apostles recognized his unique commission to preach the gospel to non-Jewish people. This verse emphasizes that the same divine power that empowered Peter's ministry to Jewish people was also at work through Paul with the Gentiles, demonstrating God's equal endorsement of both roles. This agreement established a clear division of labor: Peter and his associates would focus on Jewish communities, while Paul and Barnabas would take the gospel to the Gentiles.
"(for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles)," — Paul highlights that the same God who empowered Peter to minister to Jewish people also empowered him to minister to Gentiles. This emphasizes that their authority and effectiveness didn't come from…
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Last reviewed October 2026