American Standard Version (ASV) – Galatians 2:18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor.
Amplified Bible (AMP) – Galatians 2:18 For if I [or any others who have taught that the observance of the Law of Moses is not essential to being justified by God should now by word or practice teach or intimate that it is essential to] build up again what I tore down, I prove myself a transgressor.
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Common English Bible (CEB) – Galatians 2:18 If I rebuild the very things that I tore down, I show that I myself am breaking the Law.
English Standard Version (ESV) – Galatians 2:18 For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor.
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Good News Translation (GNT) – Galatians 2:18 If I start to rebuild the system of Law that I tore down, then I show myself to be someone who breaks the Law.
God’s Word To The Nations (God’s word) – Galatians 2:18 If I rebuild something that I’ve torn down, I admit that I was wrong to tear it down.
King James Version (KJV) – Galatians 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
New Century Version (NCV) – Galatians 2:18 But I would really be wrong to begin teaching again those things that I gave up.
New International Version (NIV) – Galatians 2:18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
New King James Version (NKJV) – Galatians 2:18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
New Living Translation (NLT) – Galatians 2:18 Rather, I make myself guilty if I rebuild the old system I already tore down.
Revised Standard Version (RSV) – Galatians 2:18 But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor.
The Message Bible (MSG) – Galatians 2:18 If I was “trying to be good,” I would be rebuilding the same old barn that I tore down. I would be acting as a charlatan.
Updated King James Version (UKJV) – Galatians 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) – Galatians 2:18 for if the things I threw down, these again I build up, a transgressor I set myself forth;
Reflection
Galatians 2:18 is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
In the context of the letter, Paul is addressing the issue of whether or not Gentile converts to Christianity need to follow Jewish customs and laws. Paul argues that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through following the law. He had previously rebuked the apostle Peter for his inconsistency in eating with Gentile converts when he was with them, but avoiding them when Jewish Christians were present.
In verse 18, Paul is saying that if he were to go back to following Jewish customs and laws, after having rejected them as a means of salvation, he would be proving himself to be a transgressor. In other words, he would be showing that he did not truly believe in salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone, but rather in the law.
The verse highlights the importance of consistency in faith and beliefs, and the danger of trying to mix different systems of salvation.
