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Galatians 2

Today’s second devotion is taken from Galatians 2. We considered in our prior study Paul’s defense of his apostleship (Galatians 1:1-2, 10-24) and a fundamental doctrine of our faith: Salvation by grace (Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 2:8-9). 

Galatians 2 introduces us to two events in two geographical settings. The first event recalls Paul and Barnabas’ meeting in Jerusalem with the apostles and elders of that congregation (Galatians 2:1-10; Acts 15). The second event was a drama that unfolded in Antioch when Paul confronted Peter’s hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-21).

 

Contending for the Gospel of Grace (Galatians 2:1-10)

Our study of Acts 15 considered the meeting of the Jerusalem council with Paul and Barnabas. Paul acknowledged that same meeting in Galatians 2, which had taken place 14 years after his first missionary journey through Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey, Galatians 2:1).  Many Gentiles turned from worshipping idols, were saved, and churches were established. As a reminder, the subject of Paul’s teaching was the Old Testament Scripture, which laid the foundation of the Gospel of Christ he preached.

Paul’s Private Conference with Church Leaders

Paul’s Private Conference with Church Leaders (Galatians 2:1-2)

In Paul’s absence, false brethren entered the churches in Asia Minor and attacked Paul’s credibility as an apostle. Those same enemies taught salvation ideas that conflicted with Christ as Messiah and included circumcision of the flesh to be saved (Galatians 1:1, 6-7, 15-17). When Paul confronted the false teachers, the contention was so great that he and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to conference with the apostles and church leaders (Galatians2:1-4; Acts 15:4-6). I invite you to consider three primary points in the opening verses of Galatians 2.

Paul states that he went up to Jerusalem “by revelation” and followed the leading of the Lord (Galatians 2:2). Notice that Paul first addressed the leaders of the Jerusalem church privately and acknowledged that they were men “of reputation” (Galatians 2:2) and “pillars” of the church (Galatians 2:9). His motive was not to risk being publicly discredited. However, he confessed he was passionate about his ministry among the Gentiles (Galatians2:2). Paul and his peers were “received of the church,” and with that reception was an acknowledgment of his apostleship to the Gentiles (Acts 15:4). Paul observed that Titus, a peer of Paul who was a Greek, was not “compelled to be circumcised” (Galatians 2:3).

Paul’s Public Confrontation with His Adversaries (Galatians 2:4-5; Acts 15:5-7a)

Paul did not fail to define his enemies and described them as “false brethren” (Galatians 2:4) who were “of the sect of the Pharisees” (Acts 15:5). Those “false brethren” came in secretly to demand that Gentile believers observe circumcision to demonstrate their faith (Galatians 2:4). The debate was heated, for the “false brethren” caused “much disputing (Acts 15:7). Refusing to yield to the enemies of the Gospel, Paul wrote that he gave no “place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5).

Contending for the Faith

Public Confirmation [affirmation] of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:6-10)

Paul was not awestruck nor intimidated by men (Galatians 2:9). He had not come to Jerusalem to seek men’s favor. Yet, he did desire the Jerusalem leaders to acknowledge God’s grace and favor on His message and ministry to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7). The apostles and elders affirmed Paul’s ministry (Galatians 2:7-8), and Peter, James, and John publicly affirmed Paul and Barnabas as ministers of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Galatians2:9).

 

Contending for the Faith (Galatians 2:11-16)

Galatians 2 also chronicled Peter’s visit to believers in Antioch (Galatians 2:11). This event occurred before Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41). Following the first Jerusalem council, Peter came to Antioch, where he fellowshipped and “did eat with the Gentiles” (Galatians 2:12). Later, a second delegation from Jerusalem came to Antioch and was comprised of believers who “came from James” (the leader of the Jerusalem church, Galatians 2:12). Sadly, in the company of those men from Jerusalem, Peter “withdrew and separated himself” from the uncircumcised Gentile believers (Galatians 2:12).

Paul, a passionate defender of the faith, would not allow Peter’s hypocrisy to pass and “withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). Paul observed that Peter feared “them which were of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:12c). Unfortunately, others followed Peter’s example, including Barnabas who “was carried away with their dissimulation [hypocrisy]” (Galatians 2:13).

 

Paul’s Controversy with Peter (Galatians 2:14-16)

We can take away many lessons from Paul rebuking Peter. Notice that his rebuke was specific and pointed “because [Peter] was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). We also learn from this event that Paul, an apostle, was Peter’s equal (Galatians 2:11,14). He openly opposed and reproved Peter, whose public failure demanded a public correction.

 

Closing lesson (Galatians 2:14-21) 

For me, one of the most important lessons I have taken from this occasion was Paul’s zeal for keeping the “truth of the Gospel” (Galatians 2:14). Peter failed to walk “according to the truth of the gospel,” and therefore, Paul openly challenged his hypocrisy, and said, “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?” (Galatians 2:14; 1 Timothy 5:19-20)

Error demands reproof. Public error demands public reproof.

Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith 

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