King James Bible
"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."
Paul sets the scene in Antioch, a major center of early Gentile Christianity where Jewish and Gentile believers worshipped together. The conjunction 'but' signals a shift from Paul's previous account of unity with the Jerusalem apostles to this moment of confrontation. Paul describes a direct, public confrontation with Peter—not behind his back but openly. This bold action demonstrates Paul's conviction that the gospel's integrity superseded even apostolic hierarchy or personal relationships. Paul asserts Peter's culpability without detailing the offense yet, establishing that even a leading apostle could act contrary to gospel truth. The passive construction suggests Peter's fault was evident to others, justifying Paul's public rebuke.