Paul’s conflict with Peter in Antioch (Gal. 2:11-14), often considered together with his conflict with Barnabas (Acts 15:15-21), is widely known and has been the subject of much debate since the days of the early church fathers. During the first several centuries, the Antioch incident was frequently cited to blame either Peter or Paul, depending on theological traditions and views. Modern scholars, however, focus more on its impact on the development of early Christianity and its exegetical significance for Paul’s argument in Galatians.
As for its historical impact, many scholars, building upon F. C. Baur’s premises, regard the Antioch incident as the pivotal moment that set the stage for the division between Jewish Christianity and Gentile Christianity. James Dunn, for example, argues that the incident marked the breaking point in Paul’s relationship with Peter and Barnabas, ultimately leading to his departure from Antioch and the establishment of an independent Gentile mission. Regarding its exegetical significance in Galatians, most scholars recognize a close literary connection between Paul’s reference to the Antioch incident in Galatians 2:11-14 and his theological argument in Galatians 2:15-21, which immediately follows. They, however, differ on where Paul’s address to Peter concludes. Some scholars think it ends at verse 14, while others argue that it extends to verse 21, the final verse of chapter two. Depending on the interpretation of the literary relationship between the two passages, one arrives at significantly different theological conclusions.
Intriguingly, Paul’s conflict with Peter, an episode that has received much attention throughout Christian history, is mentioned only once in Paul’s letters and is absent from Luke’s accounts in Acts. Based on the brief account in Galatians, many have assumed that Paul’s conflict with Peter was intense, hostile, and divisive. Building on this assumption, they claim that its impact was critical and significant for Paul’s subsequent life, the development of early Christianity, and his theological argument in Galatians. If this assumption proves baseless, their claims regarding its impact will also lose ground. For this reason, this study aims to assess their assumption by investigating the key words, expressions, and historical context often cited in its support. Ultimately, this study challenges the view that Paul’s conflict with Peter was intense, hostile, and divisive and marked the breaking point in his relationship with Peter, which led to Paul’s independent Gentile ministry, and that Paul’s argument that immediately follows is addressed to Peter. The textual evidence and the historical context are neither clear nor sufficient to support this assumption. Moreover, the nature and intensity of one’s opposition often depend on how the message was delivered through non-verbal or physical cues. Unfortunately, these cues are not traceable in the text.