Galatians 2:2
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Cross-references
In Galatians 2:6, Paul concludes that these influential leaders 'added nothing' to his gospel — confirming his running was not in vain.
Galatians 2:9 describes the result of the private meeting: the pillars give Paul the right hand of fellowship.
Galatians 1:16 explains that Paul's gospel came by revelation — the same gospel he presents in Jerusalem.
In Galatians 4:11, Paul repeats the same fear of laboring in vain, now over the Galatians' regression to legalism.
Acts 15:4 reports Paul and Barnabas declaring God's work in Jerusalem — a parallel account of this visit.
Acts 15:12 describes Paul and Barnabas relating signs and wonders among Gentiles — supplementing the gospel presentation here.
In 1 Corinthians 9:26, Paul uses the same 'running' metaphor for purposeful ministry — reinforcing his determination not to run aimlessly.
In Philippians 2:16, Paul directly repeats 'run in vain' regarding his apostolic labor — a shared concern for fruitful ministry.
Acts 15:2 records the dispute that triggered this Jerusalem visit, providing the historical context for Paul's private meeting with the pillars.
Acts 26:16 recounts Paul's commissioning to witness to Gentiles, the same mission he validates here by presenting his gospel to the pillars.
Romans 11:13 highlights Paul's apostleship to Gentiles, the very focus of the gospel he presents here to avoid running in vain.
Romans 16:25 refers to 'my gospel', the same message Paul presents to the pillars for confirmation.
In 1 Corinthians 1:23, Paul defines the gospel he preached as 'Christ crucified' — the message he communicated to the influential leaders in Jerusalem.
In 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul echoes his single-minded focus on 'Jesus Christ and him crucified' — the core of the gospel he was concerned not to run in vain over.
1 Corinthians 15:14 speaks of preaching being empty if Christ not raised — similar concern about gospel being in vain here.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Paul fears 'labor in vain' due to temptation — parallel to his fear that his running might be in vain in Galatians.