E-Mail Bible Class
Galatians
BC Weekly Digest Monday, July 5 1999 In this issue: Galatians 2:1-10 Galatians 2:11-14 Galatians 2:1-10 Galatians 2:1-10 (OPV) 1 Then again after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, also taking Titus along. 2 Now I went up by revelation and put before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were esteemed, lest I should be running or had run in vain. 3 But Titus who was with me, a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised. 4 Now [I went up] because of intruding false brethren, who came in secretly to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us. 5 To them we did not yield subjection [even] for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. 6 But from those who were considered to be of standing (whatever they were does not matter to me, God does not accept a man's reputation) -- they, I say, who were esteemed, imparted nothing to me. 7 But to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcision, as Peter [with the gospel] for the circumcision 8 (for He who was at work in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision was at work in me also for the Gentiles) 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were considered to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10 Only [they requested] that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do. === *2:1 "Then again after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas" Paul had made an earlier trip to Jerusalem from Antioch with a gift for the poor (Acts 11:27-30; 12:25). The details in Galatians, however, indicate that he is referring to the trip described in Acts 15. "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, [the brethren] appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question" (Acts 15:1,2 ASV). *2:1 "Also taking Titus along" Titus was among the 'certain others'. In the years that followed, he would be one of Paul's trusted fellow workers. He was given the important task of helping the church at Corinth correct serious moral and doctrinal problems (2 Cor 2:13; 7:6,13,14; 8:6,16,23; 12:18). The letter to Titus was written after Paul had left him on Crete to appoint elders in every city (Titus 1:5). And finally in 2 Timothy, which may have been Paul's last letter, it is mentioned that Titus had gone to Dalmatia (2 Tim 4:10). *2:2 "Now I went up by revelation" The account in Acts indicates that Paul had absolutely no doubt about the question of circumcision. He was an inspired Apostle. The Lord had revealed the gospel to him and circumcision was not included. Even so, the Lord instructed him to go to Jerusalem. This would confirm the truth of Paul's message. The record in Acts and the discussion in Galatians would settle the question for all time among those who respect the word of God. One who is speaking the truth has nothing to fear from confirmation. *2:2 "And put before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were esteemed, lest I should be running or had run in vain" According to Acts 15, some at Jerusalem did not understand the distinction between the Old and New Covenants. They were "zealous for the law" (compare with Acts 21:20). It was wise for Paul to first talk privately with the leading men. In the public assembly described in Acts 15 we find Peter and James squarely behind Paul and Barnabas defending them against those who objected. Although Paul was an inspired apostle, he had the normal feelings shared by all humankind. The Lord had revealed the gospel to him. Yet we notice in his statement "lest I should be running or had run in vain" that Paul also needed the confirmation that would be provided by the approval and fellowship of the other apostles. There are things I know are true. Still, I am always encouraged when they are confirmed! *2:3 "But Titus who was with me, a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised" In Acts 15 some said circumcision was required: "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5 ASV). This claim was refuted by Peter: "Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they" (Acts 15:7-11 ASV). Under the New Covenant, God makes no distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Both are saved 'in like manner'. Titus was accepted as a brother although he was not circumcised. *2:4 "Now [I went up] because of intruding false brethren" This relates to the statement in Acts: "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1 ASV). In 2 Corinthians 11:26 when Paul lists the hardships he had endured, he includes 'perils among false brethren'. Peter wrote: "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not" (2 Peter 2:1-3 ASV). Even after the matter was settled in Acts 15, there were false teachers who rejected the authority of the apostles and taught otherwise. Paul wrote this letter because they were causing trouble in Galatia. Today we have the teaching of the apostles in the New Testament, and the same type of people reject it today. *2:4 "Who came in secretly to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might enslave us" This liberty relates to freedom from the law of Moses which Peter calls "a yoke" ... "which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10). In Christ, not only the Gentiles, but also the Jews are free from that burden. In chapter five Paul expands on this: "For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing" (Gal 5:1,2 ASV). *2:5 "To them we did not yield subjection [even] for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might remain with you" In Acts we read: "Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them" (Acts 15:2 ASV). The immense influence of existentialism among denominations today causes (or possibly 'allows') them to reject the authority of the Scriptures. The devil has deceived many people into thinking that as long as one 'is a believer' it does not matter what he believes. Paul taught otherwise. We should follow his example and refuse to submit to false teachers so we can retain the truth of the gospel. *2:6 "Those who were considered to be of standing (whatever they were does not matter to me, God does not accept a man's reputation)" Paul is not being disrespectful to these men. He is simply repeating the teaching of Christ: "So the last shall be first, and the first last" (Matt 20:16 ASV). There have always been prominent men among faithful Christians, men to whom God has given special abilities, opportunities and responsibilities. They are no more in God's sight, however, than a lowly Christian who serves faithfully in some fashion which may not even be noticed by fellow Christians. See also Acts 10:25,26,34 and Romans 2:11. *2:6 "They, I say, who were esteemed, imparted nothing to me" Paul's message was confirmed by these men, but they added nothing to it. *2:7,8 "I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcision, as Peter [with the gospel] for the circumcision (for He who was at work in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision was at work in me also for the Gentiles)" Although Paul taught in the Jewish synagogues at every opportunity, his main task was to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; 22:21; Rom 11:13; 1 Tim 2:7). Although Peter first taught the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 10:1 -- 11:18; 15:7), his main task was to preach to the Jews. They were both inspired apostles of the Lord. *2:9 "When they perceived the grace that was given to me" They recognized that Paul was indeed an inspired apostle of Jesus Christ. In his second letter, Peter refers to the writings of Paul as Scripture: "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you; as also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:15,16 ASV). *2:9 "Gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship" Christian fellowship is based on the 'truth of the gospel'. The depth and meaning of fellowship among Christians is difficult for non-believers to comprehend. It is one of the great blessings found in Christ. For a fuller discussion of the basis and limits of Christian fellowship, see the article "The Right Hand of Fellowship" under my name in The Old Paths Archive. http://www.oldpaths.com *2:10 "Only [they requested] that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do" Judea, one of the poorer regions in the Roman Empire, was subject to great hardship during draughts. Paul had already brought help from the church at Antioch (Acts 11:28-30). Later he collected a generous gift from Christians in Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) 'for the poor among the saints that are at Jerusalem'. He explained: "Yea, it hath been their good pleasure; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it [to them] also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Rom 15:25-27 - see also 1 Cor 16:1,2 and 2 Cor 8,9). Roy Davison ------------------------------ Galatians 2:11-14 Galatians 2:11-14 (OPV) 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain ones came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews were hypocritical with him, so that even Barnabas joined in their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not walking upright with regard to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all: If you, a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to become Jewish? === *2:11 "When Cephas came to Antioch" Since Paul's account is probably chronological, this evidently occurred after the incidents recorded in Acts 15. Both Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, thus it may refer to the period mentioned in Acts 15:35. It was not immediately after the events of Acts 15, since the apostles and elders sent Judas and Silas to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:22,23,27,32-34). *2:11 "I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned" Peter was an apostle. His teachings and writings were inspired by God (2 Peter 1:20,21). This does not mean, however, that he was sinless or could not make a mistake in his personal conduct. Paul considered it possible that he himself might be rejected if he did not exercise constant self-control (1 Cor 9:27). On this occasion Peter's behavior was in conflict with his own beliefs and teaching. In Paul's letter to the Romans, he states that it is much easier to want to do what is right than it is to actually do it (Rom 7:18-21)! *2:12 "For before certain ones came from James, he ate with the Gentiles" When Peter first preached to Gentiles, he told the house of Cornelius: "Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and [yet] unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean" (Acts 10:28 ASV). "And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34,35 ASV). Later he had to defend his actions: "And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them" (Acts 11:2 ASV). These passages, and Peter's statement in Acts 15:10,11, show that Peter knew he should ignore Jewish custom and eat with Gentile Christians. Furthermore, he was in the habit of doing so! *2:12 "But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision" Peter succumbed to social pressure (real or imagined) fearing disapproval. "The fear of man bringeth a snare" (Prov 29:25 ASV). Whether "those who were of the circumcision" refers to Jewish Christians in general (who had not yet had contact with Gentile Christians) or whether it refers to a "party" among the Christians in Jerusalem who were teaching that Gentiles had to be circumcised, is not entirely clear. The expression "the circumcision" was used to refer to Jews in general (see Acts 10:45 and Col 4:11). But here, and also in Acts 11:2, it might refer specifically to persons such as those mentioned in Acts 15:5. "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses." In any case, although Peter knew what was right, and although the matter had been discussed and clearly settled in Acts 15, Peter was afraid he might be criticized for eating with Gentiles. The social customs and taboos of a nation are extremely powerful. When they conflict with the gospel, it is often difficult for the people of that nation to accept the gospel in the conflicting points, even after they have become Christians. *2:12 "Certain ones came from James" James was a prominent leader in Jerusalem. We do not know whether these men had come specifically to visit the church in Antioch, or whether they were just passing through in the course of another journey. From Acts 15 we know that James did not believe Gentile Christians had to be circumcised. He summarized the discussion as follows: "Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old. Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath" (Acts 15:14-21 ASV). At Jerusalem, however, James had to take into consideration the scruples of Jewish Christians who were "zealous for the law." Later, when Paul visited Jerusalem, James and the other apostles were concerned that there might be problems because of a false rumor that he was encouraging Jews to completely abandon their traditions (Acts 21:18-25). In that instance, Paul went along with their request since it did not involve a violation of the gospel. Although James did not believe Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved, it is obvious that he, along with many other Jews who had become Christians, wanted to preserve Jewish traditions which were not in conflict with the gospel. (This is true of people of every nation!) This resulted in misunderstandings and conflicts on many occasions, however. Not only was it difficult for Jewish Christians in the first century to overcome their prejudice against Gentiles, but even today there are Jewish believers in Jesus as the Messiah who refuse to have anything to do with Gentile Christians! *2:13 "And the rest of the Jews were hypocritical with him, so that even Barnabas joined in their hypocrisy" This is evidently referring to the Jewish Christians in Antioch who were accustomed to making no distinction whatever between Jews and Gentiles in their fellowship. Even Barnabas, who had brought Paul to Antioch to work with this multi-ethnic congregation, had followed Peter's bad example! *2:13 "Their hypocrisy" They were being hypocritical on several counts. They formerly had eaten with the Gentiles; now they were refusing to do so because of fear. They were trying to hide their true faith and practice! They knew that their faith involved full fellowship with Gentile Christians, yet they were being untrue to their own convictions. They were not being honest. Nor were they showing the love of Christ to their Gentile brethren! *2:14 "When I saw that they were not walking upright with regard to the truth of the gospel" Paul does not say they did not KNOW the truth of the gospel. He says their behavior was in conflict with it. *2:14 "I said to Cephas in the presence of all: If you, a Jew, are living like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to become Jewish?" Peter had not "said" the Gentiles had to become Jewish. But his behavior implied such. Imagine how the Gentile Christians must have felt! They no doubt had been rejoicing in the fellowship of Peter, who had known the Lord and had been with Him during His ministry, who was one of His chosen apostles to bear witness to His resurrection! Some Jewish Christians come from Jerusalem, and Peter is ashamed of them. He does not want to been seen eating with them! This must have hurt them deeply. Then their Jewish brethren in Antioch follow his example, and even Barnabas! Peter himself had not been observing Jewish customs (see passages quoted above). Peter knew better, and Paul very forcefully and effectively pointed out his error. We are not told how Peter reacted. He "stood condemned" however and Paul pointed out his error clearly. Thus we have no reason to doubt that Peter and the others immediately repented. We do know that shortly before Peter's death he recommended the letters of Paul as Scripture written through wisdom given by God (2 Peter 3:15,16). This letter to the Galatians, which includes the account of Peter's error, was among them! Roy Davison