2:9a

recognizing: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as recognizing also means “knowing.” It indicates what the leaders knew and understood.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

perceived (English Standard Version)
-or-
realized (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
understood (New Century Version)
-or-
saw (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

the grace that I had been given: Here the word grace means the “kindness,” “generosity” or “favor” that God gave/showed to Paul. God was kind to Paul in the sense that he had given him a special ministry. God gave him the gifts and power to be an apostle and spread the gospel.

In Greek this phrase is more literally “the grace having been given to me.” This is a passive clause. Some ways to translate this clause are:

• Use a passive clause. For example:

the favor that had been shown to me
-or-
the kindness that had been given to me ?by God? ?to be an apostle?

• Use an active clause. For example:

God had given me this special task (Good News Translation)
-or-
God was good to me ?and gave me the work of spreading the gospel?

See also grace, Meaning 3 in the Glossary.

2:9b

James, Cephas, and John: These three men were the leaders in the church at Jerusalem. James was the younger brother of Jesus. (Paul had already mentioned him in 1:19.)

Cephas is Peter’s Jewish name. Both names (Peter and Cephas) mean “rock” and refer to the same man. In your translation, you should use the more familiar name, Peter. For example:

James, Peter, and John (Contemporary English Version)

Peter and John were close disciples of Jesus while he was on earth.

those reputed to be pillars: This clause is a metaphor. It compares the leaders of the church to pillars.

A “pillar” is a huge stone post or wood column that supports the roof of a building. Paul compared the church leaders to pillars. They are similar in that both have a very important role in their respective structures. Pillars are a very important part of the building. The three men had much responsibility in the church.

Some possible ways to translate this metaphor are:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

those men who were recognized as important/strong like pillars

• Use another idiomatic expression for leaders. For example:

these men are…the backbone of the church (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the meaning. For example:

the most important people (God’s Word)

those reputed: This is the fourth time that Paul used the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible here translates as reputed to refer to the church leaders. See what word(s) you used in 2:2b and 2:6a. As mentioned there, this term refers to the men who were “recognized” as important leaders of the church.

Some other ways to translate this are:

who had a reputation (NET Bible)
-or-
those esteemed (New International Version (2011))
-or-
who were known (New Living Translation (1996))

2:9c

gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship: This clause means that James, Peter, and John shook the hands of Paul and Barnabas. Shaking hands was a cultural action that showed that these three men agreed that they were partners together with Paul in ministry. It showed that the leaders agreed with Paul and Barnabas, accepted them, and supported them.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

they shook hands with Barnabas and me, agreeing to be our partners (God’s Word)
-or-
they shook hands with Barnabas and me to show that we were companions in God’s work

In some cultures, shaking hands may not show that people agree with one another. If that is the case in your language, you may need to translate the meaning directly. For example:

they told/showed Barnabas and me that they agreed with us and were partners with us

If you do this, you should include a footnote saying that they actually shook hands to show their partnership.

2:9d

so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised: This clause shows what the agreement was between the leaders and Paul and Barnabas. They would be partners in the work of spreading the gospel, but they would work among different groups of people.

In some languages, it will be good to make clear that this clause gives the content of the agreement. Some ways to do that are:

We agreed that Barnabas and I would work among the Gentiles and they among the Jews. (Good News Translation)
-or-

They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. (New Living Translation (2004))

we…they: The pronoun we refers to Paul and Barnabas. The pronoun they refers to Peter, James, and John.

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