My RSS Feeds
Galatians 2
Galatians Chapter 2
[1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
[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.
Paul’s first fight for Christian liberty was at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-35); his second was at a private meeting with Peter as we will read later in this chapter. Paul did not desire to get involved in this spiritual warfare; however, if the gospel was to remain free from legalism he had to contest its purity. It is due to Paul’s courage that the blessing of the gospel fell upon the Gentiles.
A Private ConsultationNote, firstly, that Paul did not go to Jerusalem because the churches sent him. He went up by revelation, “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel.” Compare this to Galatians 1:12 “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” God sent Paul to Jerusalem. The Lord gave Paul the wisdom to communicate the truth of the gospel and its purity to those at Jerusalem. He also sent Paul because it was essential, for the eternal purposes of God that a united front was presented for the promotion of the gospel. God does not want a fragmented church where many gospels are preached. There is only one gospel and one church. Men create denominations and men pervert the gospel.
“lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.” Our first reading of this would cause us to think that Paul doubted his message or the gospel itself; however, this is not the case. Paul was referring to the work he had already done with the Gentiles. Depending upon the outcome of the conference rested the eternal value of this work. If the Apostles sided with the Judaizers then Paul’s work would have counted for nothing. He knew that the gospel came from Christ - it was pure and true but he was unsure of what stand the leaders at Jerusalem would take. Siding with the Judaizers would then force the Gentiles to come under the Law of Moses. Paul needed the approval of the ‘pillars’ at Jerusalem before he could face the whole assembly otherwise he would spend three days in a futile debate that would result only in division.
The ResultThe leaders added nothing to Paul – “for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.” The Judaizers were wrong. There was no place for legalism in the gospel and indeed no place for it in the church. But this private meeting was only the beginning - Paul had to face others who were more hostile.
The Public Convocation. [3] But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:[4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
[5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
We know from the historical record in Acts 15 that several witnesses presented the case for the gospel of the grace of God beginning with Peter. He reminded the assembly that God had given the Gentiles the Holy Spirit when he had gone to Cornelius (Acts 10:30-48). It is interesting to note that, contrary to the belief of some Christians, the lost in the remote parts of the earth will not be reached by angels. The angel did not give Cornelius the gospel. The angel told him to send for Peter. This puts to death the idea that God would send angels to reach the lost. Men and women are commanded to take the gospel to the lost.
[30] And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,[31] And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
[32] Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
[33] Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
[34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
[35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
[36] The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
[37] That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
[38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
[39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
[40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
[41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
[42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
God accepted the Gentiles into the church and they were now equal to the saved Jews. This was a hard thing for the early Jewish believers to accept because for centuries they had been uniquely accepted by God.
Paul and Barnabas also gave their testimonies of the work that God had accomplished among the Gentiles. But false brethren contested with them over their ministry. Paul however held his ground and would not concede.
It would appear that Titus, a Gentile came as a test case. Would he be accepted or would he be forced to be circumcised before they would accept him as an equal in the church? It was clear to those at the assembly that Titus was a believer and this evidence also proved that the Judaizers were wrong. Titus had trusted in Christ alone for salvation – he did not need to become a Jew first.
Some would argue that Paul was being hypocritical here because he had consented to the circumcision of Timothy. (Acts 16: 1-3)
[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:[2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Paul was not submitting to Jewish law or tradition here. Timothy was part Jew and part Gentile. His mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek (Gentile). He was a believer with a good reputation. Titus, however, was a Gentile. Paul knew that Timothy’s lack of circumcision would have hindered his work among the Jews at that time. The outward ritual of circumcision did not add anything to Timothy but it did make him acceptable to the Jews. For Titus to have submitted to this rite would have suggested that he lacked something for salvation. Other Gentiles would have believed that they too needed to do something in order to be saved. Timothy was a mature believer and knew what he was doing. It was expedient for the sake of the gospel for him to submit to this.
The Personal Confirmation [6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:[7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;[8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
[9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
[10] Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Paul makes it clear that he was not impressed by the persons or positions that they held. Evidently he respected them or he would not have been in conference with them; however, he is making it clear that persons and positions mean nothing in the church. All believers are equal; they are all gifted, and all are equally deserving of respect. Certainly these were leaders and were deserving of respect because upon their shoulders fell the burden of supporting the church.
Even though the conference ended in agreement between the leaders at Jerusalem and Paul the problem did not go away. The Judaizers still troubled the Gentiles and perverted the gospel. This epistle to the Galatians is evidence that the problem was unremitting.
The gospel of the circumcision and the gospel of the uncircumcision are not two different gospels. It refers to the two spheres of influence. Peter and the Apostles at Jerusalem would take the gospel to the circumcision – the Jews. But Paul would take the gospel of the uncircumcision – to the Gentiles. This did not mean that one excluded the other. It shows us that God gave certain broad ministries to each Apostle.
It is worth noting too that once the theological debate was over and agreement was reached, the leaders at Jerusalem asked Paul to remember the poor. So often we can be so caught up in our own learning and our own lives that we forget the importance of being practical. Always check out the needs of other believers especially in the fellowship.
Peter’s Relapse [11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.[12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
[13] And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Peter had defended the gospel of grace at the Conference at Jerusalem. He had taken the gospel to Cornelius and fellowshiped with the Gentiles. Yet here we see the fear of man entering into his life. Peter withdrew himself from the Gentile believers when some of the ‘big guns’ came down from Jerusalem. But look at the affect this had upon the other Jewish Christians. They, too, withdrew. Even Barnabas was caught up in this. Peter acted hypocritically as did the others. The word dissembled means hypocrisy. They were hypocrites.
Paul’s Rebuke. [14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?[15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
[17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
[21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Peter had eaten with the Gentiles. To other Jews this showed that he had accepted them as equals in the church. Yet now he is separating himself from them and forcing them to become like the Jews. He was not consistent. What we really believe comes out in the way we live. We can state our doctrines and our theology but what we really believe will be seen in our lives. Peter had allowed the fear of man to bring a snare. His actions clearly affected all those around him and must have left the Gentiles in confusion. The lesson is clear for us today – practice what you preach.
Paul’s rebuke is totally based upon doctrine. There are five basic Christian doctrines that are being denied by Peter because of his separation from the Gentiles.
1. The unity of the Church. V142. Justification by faith. V15,163. Freedom from the Law. v17,184. The Gospel. v19,205. The Grace of God. V21I believe that in the light of these things we need to ask ourselves some questions:
- Have I been saved by the grace of God? Am I trusting in myself, my morality, my good works, my religion or church attendance or whatever?
- Am I mixing Law and Grace? Law means that I have to do something to please God to make myself more acceptable to Him. Grace means that God has finished the work for me and all I need to do is believe on Christ.
- Am I rejoicing in the fact that I am justified by faith in Christ?
- Am I walking in the liberty of Grace?
- Am I willing to defend the truth of the gospel?
- Am I walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel?
There will always be Judaizers. There will always be those who will attempt to bring you into some form of bondage – to make you perform to please them. They will generate doubts in your mind and leave you believing that you need to do something to make yourself more acceptable to God. This is a lie! Remember, you cannot do anything to make yourself more acceptable to God than you already are. When Christ paid the price for sins on the cross He said, “It is finished.” It is so easy to see why unstable believers are so confused. They run from church to church from doctrine to doctrine but never seek the truth from the Lord. You must take time with the Lord to grow. He will direct you and enlighten you if you sincerely desire to learn.