INTRODUCTION
Galatia was a province, occupying a central position in Asia Minor. It derived its name from the Gauls (tribes of Celts), who came thither from Europe. Jews resided there in large numbers, attracted by the opportunities for trade. Paul visited this region on his third missionary journey, Act_18:23. His converts, composed of Jews and proselytes, manifested great eagerness and affection at first; but soon after the Apostle had left them, they fell an easy prey to the Judaizers, who wished to make the Mosaic ritual binding upon the Christian Church. These followed Paul’s steps and made every effort to undermine his influence.
Their object in this was twofold: – first, to convince Jewish converts that Paul’s authority was inferior to that of Peter and others who represented the more conservative element in the Church; and second, to insist upon Gentiles submitting to the rites of the ceremonial law. On receiving information of this invasion of the young church that he had founded, Paul wrote this urgent letter to the Galatians from Ephesus in A.D. 54, to vindicate his authority and to insist upon the all-sufficiency of Christ’s redeeming work.
{e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Galatians in the printed edition}
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS
Gospel Liberty and Legal Bondage
THE APOSTLE’S VINDICATION
His Recognition in the Church
3. How did Paul first become acquainted with Peter?
PAUL ACCEPTED BY THE APOSTLES
Then after a period of fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem, [this time] with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.
I went up [to Jerusalem] because of a [divine] revelation, and I put before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so in private before those of reputation, for fear that I might be running or had run [the course of my ministry] in vain.
But [all went well, for] not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled [as some had anticipated] to be circumcised, despite the fact that he was a Greek.
My concern was because of the false brothers [those people masquerading as Christians] who had been secretly smuggled in [to the community of believers]. They had slipped in to spy on the freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us back into bondage [under the Law of Moses].
But we did not yield to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would continue to remain with you [in its purity].
But from those who were of high reputation (whatever they were–in terms of individual importance–makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality–He is not impressed with the positions that people hold nor does He recognize distinctions such as fame or power)–well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me [that is, they had nothing to add to my gospel message nor did they impose any new requirements on me]. [Deu_10:17]
But on the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles), just as Peter had been [entrusted to proclaim the gospel] to the circumcised (Jews);
(for He who worked effectively for Peter and empowered him in his ministry to the Jews also worked effectively for me and empowered me in my ministry to the Gentiles).
And recognizing the grace [that God had] bestowed on me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars [of the Jerusalem church], gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we could go to the Gentiles [with their blessing] and they to the circumcised (Jews).
They asked only [one thing], that we remember the poor, the very thing I was also eager to do.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
Galatians 2:1-10
STAND FIRM FOR TRUTH
The great controversy in Paul’s career was over the initial rite of Judaism. It would have been comparatively calm, if he had been willing to admit that Christianity was a sect of Judaism, and that men must become Jews before becoming Christians. His contention was that the ceremonial aspect of the Law did not apply to converts from heathendom. Gentile sinners had the right to go directly to Jesus Christ for salvation, without traveling around the circuitous route of Judaism. When men insisted on the outward rite, he resisted it with all the fiery vehemence of his nature, Gal_2:3; Gal_2:12. But when his opponents were willing to admit that circumcision was not essential, he administered it to one of Jewish blood, as a concession to the weak and uninstructed, Act_16:3.
What blessed intercourse the four men here named must have enjoyed together! James would tell of the earlier biography of Jesus, in the home of Nazareth; Peter would dwell upon his own fellowship with Christ throughout our Lord’s active ministry; John would unfold Jesus’ inner life, as he afterwards did in his Gospel; Paul would tell of that revelation of the risen Christ on the Damascus road. Note that God must work in and for us, if we are to succeed in the gospel ministry. See Gal_2:8.
By Pastor Jeff Arthur
The Gospel Truth
Galatians 2:1-10
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