The Antioch Incident and a Textual Variant: “ΗΛΘΟΝ” or “ΗΛΘΕΝ” in Galatians 2:12

Abstract

The Antioch incident is a crucial event in the history of the early church, especially the key role it plays in the debate regarding the relationship between gospel and law. However, most commentators who discuss this passage pay little attention to an important textual variant, between ἦλθον and ἦλθϵν in Gal 2:12. While most simply take ἦλθον (third person plural) to be the original reading based on internal evidence considerations, I will argue that the evidence suggests an ἦλθϵν (third person singular) reading. This is based primarily on external evidence, but internal evidence is also considered. I will argue that the ἦλθϵν reading makes sense of both external and internal evidence, and fits in well with the context of the narrative.