By Athur J. Licursi

Once again, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim. 2:15) is key for us. Below, in the Galatians 2:7 KJV, the word “contrariwise” immediately indicates a significant difference is at hand.

⁷ But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision [Gentiles] was committed unto me [Paul], as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ⁸ (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision [Israel], the same was mighty in me [Paul] toward the Gentiles:) Galatians 2:7-8 (KJV)

QUESTION: What is the significant difference to be noted in Galatians 2:7?

ANSWER: Galatians 2:7 speaks of ‘Two Different gospels’ for the ‘Two Different’ people groups of God. The word ‘of’ is twice used in Galatians 2:7 KJV as a function word “to indicate belonging to the class,’ denoted by a ‘preceding noun’ such as “the city” of “Rome.” (Merriam Webster Dictionary); i.e., this applies as seen in “THE gospel [the noun] of the uncircumcision [as a class of people].” The use of the word “THE gospel” grammatically indicates ‘an exclusive gospel’ for each class, 1) ‘the uncircumcision’ and, 2) ‘the circumcision’

Thus, I here offer Galatians 2:7 with my clarification: ⁷ But contrariwise, when they saw that THE [unique] gospel of [of or for] the uncircumcision [the Gentiles] was committed unto me [Paul], … as THE [specific] gospel of [‘of or for] the circumcision [the Nation Israel] was unto Peter; Galatians 2:7

Thus in Gal. 2:7 we have two distinctly different gospels with their names 1) “the gospel of [of or for] the uncircumcision [group]” and a 2) “the gospel of [of or for] the circumcision [group]”

• Paul’s gospel, as “the apostle of the Gentiles,” was called “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) for the Gentiles.

²⁴ … so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24b (KJV)

¹³ …I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Rom. 11:13 (KJV)

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)

• Peter’s gospel was not yet Jesus’ “gospel of the kingdom.” Yes, Jesus had said; ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matt. 24:14. Before Peter could preach the “gospel of the Kingdom... unto all nations,” Peter had his own doctrine, program, and audience; … FIRST the Nation Israel had to be converted, to believe and receive the Messiah, Jesus Christ, which will not occur until the Millennial kingdom on earth.

Having noted how Paul’s “gospel of the uncircumcision” correctly appears in the Galatians 2:7 KJV ONLY, we must note how the modern Bibles replace “the gospel OF” with “the gospel TO.” This error is similar in most modern Bibles, serving to mislead the Bible readers of Galatians 2:7 to incorrectly assume that Paul and Peter must have had the same gospel; just that it was for Paul to go to the Gentiles and Peter to Israel with that same gospel. BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. They had ‘contrary gospels’ for the two different groups or classes of God’s people, having two different ultimate callings; 1) Israel ‘on earth’, 2) “His body” ‘in heaven.’

As seen below, Satan has worked in men to muddy the text of the corrupted modern Bibles such that with the NIV, NASB, ESV, et al, you can’t get the truth when they substitute the word ‘to’ for the word “of.”

⁷ On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. Galatians 2:7 (NIV)

⁷ But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised Galatians 2:7 (NASB)

⁷ On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised Galatians 2:7 (ESV)

Israel is destined to ‘reign on earth’ as God’s kings and priests (Rev. 5:10, 20:6), but the Gentile “body of Christ” is destined to reign “in the heavenly places,” “far above,” in the eternal government of heaven.

¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2 Tim. 2:12 (KJV)
⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory. Col. 3:4

Thus we see how using the King James Authorized Version maintains the Galatians 2:7 truth for today.