Lesson for September 15, 2021
The Book of Galatians
Lesson 3 – Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem
Galatians 2:1-5
“Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow, I might be running, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.”
Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. In Galatians 2:1 Paul continued to show his independence from the other apostles by staying away from Jerusalem (the home of most of the other apostles) for fourteen years. In Acts 15 we have an account of the church leaders (apostles and pastors) coming together to discuss the false teaching that a person must be circumcised in order to be saved. It was during this meeting of the church leaders that Paul returned to Jerusalem. We learn that this false doctrine was being taught by a group of Pharisees (Judaizers). The church leaders were united in the fact that salvation was by grace apart from the Law. Therefore, they sent representatives to the Gentile churches to confirm the fact that they gave no such commandment that circumcision was necessary for salvation.
It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation. Galatians 2:2 states that Paul went to Jerusalem because God, by special revelation, had told him to go there. Upon arriving, Paul met with the Church leaders and explained to them what he had been preaching. By doing this, he was putting himself on the same level of authority as the rest of the apostles. Paul’s message was salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, apart from the Mosaic Law.
For fear that somehow, I might be running, or had run, in vain. Paul’s ministry could possibly be hurt if these leaders had disagreed with Paul. They could have sent people into the churches that Paul had established in an attempt to discredit him. So, Paul’s statement showed his concern that after all his efforts to evangelize and establish churches, that it would all have been in vain if the Jerusalem church adopted this false message of keeping the Mosaic Law for salvation and for living the Christian Way of Life. The reason should have been obvious. Keeping the Mosaic Law could not save a person, nor could it make one spiritual, whether Jew or Gentile.
But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.Galatians 2:3 seems to indicate that Paul intentionally brought Titus, who was a Gentile believer, to test the church at Jerusalem and the church leaders to see if they would require him to be circumcised. This controversy regarding circumcision had begun in the church at Antioch, which said that no such requirement is necessary. This decision was upheld by the church leaders in Jerusalem. (Acts 15)
Yet it was a concern because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy on our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. Galatians 2:4 gives a lot of insight into the identity and character of the Judaizers. The term “false brothers” is a reference to the Judaizers. Secretly brought in is the Greek word “pareisaktos” meaning to escape notice or unawares. The purpose of the Judaizers was to spy out the freedom (liberty) that the believers had in Christ, with the hostile intent of placing them back under the bondage of the Mosaic Law. This attempt by the Judaizers was a well thought out plan to discredit grace.
Remember, the maximum expression of God’s grace is the Cross. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all sin. We are free to accept or reject God’s free gift of eternal life. The plan of God calls for everyone to know His Son, Jesus Christ. (II Peter 3:9) Because Jesus Christ completely satisfied the righteousness and justice of God, God is free to give eternal life at salvation. (John 2:1-2) Our salvation brings glory to God and when we trust Christ as our personal Savior we are adjusting to God’s grace. (Hebrews 2:9; Romans 3:24)
In the Christian life, a believer must choose to allow God the Holy Spirit to produce the character of Jesus Christ in him (but it is God Who is doing the work). (Romans 8:29, Galatians 5:22-23) We should be truly thankful that God’s plan does not depend upon us, but upon Him. Our focus should always be on what God is doing for us.
Keeping the Mosaic Law in an attempt to gain the favor or approval of God, either for salvation or spirituality is legalism and contrary to grace. (Romans 11:6) Producing human good brings glory to man. Producing divine good through the filling of the Holy Spirit brings glory to God. Human works added to faith in salvation is not based on God’s grace. (Galatians 2:16) Human works added to the Christian life produces legalism and is not based on God’s grace. (Galatians 5:1)
But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” Paul tells us in Galatians 2:5 that he would not budge for a moment when it came to the truth of the Gospel of grace. It was Paul’s purpose to show all believers that his message of grace was the true message and the Judaizers’ message was false. Failure to recognize Paul’s message of grace would naturally put these believers back under the Law of Moses, which they had recently been freed from by believing in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:6-10
“But from those who were of considerable repute (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who was at work for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”
But from those who were of considerable repute (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me.In Galatians 2:6 Paul points out that the other apostles imposed no restrictions or commands on him with regard to the Gospel of grace (contributes nothing to me). Paul was referring to the church leaders, which he names in verse nine (James, Peter, and John). Paul made it clear that he had received divine revelation directly from the Lord Jesus Christ, as the other apostles had while Jesus was here on earth. Both were equal in that regard, and Paul pointed out that God is not a respecter of persons. Therefore, God shows no partiality because of a person’s position, title, or spiritual gift. We are all equal in the body of Christ.
It is interesting to note that James, one of the eminent church leaders, wrote about the subject of being a respecter of persons in the book of James chapter 2. Since God is not a respecter of persons, James says that we should not show partiality to one person over another. According to James, not being a respecter of persons is one way in which a believer can demonstrate his faith in Christ to the others. Of course, it is a matter of spiritual growth by the consistent study and application of accurate Bible doctrine, which James also brings out in his epistle. (“Be doers of the Word and not hearers only”)
But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the Gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. In Galatians 2:7 Paul confirms that the other apostles agreed with him regarding the Gospel and rejected the false doctrine of keeping the Law for salvation or for the Christian life. The “Gospel to the uncircumcision” (Gentiles) and “the Gospel to the circumcision” (Jews) are not two different messages. Paul is saying that God had commissioned him to take the Gospel message to the Gentiles and had commissioned Peter to take the Gospel message to the Jews. However, they preached the same Gospel of grace to both groups.
For He who was at work for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:8 is a parenthetical statement to confirm what Paul had just stated regarding Peter and himself. Paul stated that both men were chosen by God for a specific ministry and given divine authority to carry out their mission. The same Gospel message was preached by Peter and Paul. This proves that Paul was a legitimate apostle in the same manner as Peter (and by implication the rest of the apostles).
And recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James, and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.Galatians 2:9 confirms that Paul was recognized by the other apostles as an apostle with all the privileges and authority that went with the office. James, who was the pastor of the church at Jerusalem and most likely presided over the meetings to discuss the matter of keeping the Law for salvation and the Christian life. James was the brother of Jesus and was taught directly by Him, which would have given him respect among the others (including the Judaizers). Peter and John were certainly highly respected as well, having traveled with and been taught by Jesus. “Giving the right hand of fellowship” was a custom of the day that signified the church leaders agreed on the Gospel message of grace. And all agreed that Paul and Barnabas were to go to the Gentiles and that the other apostles were to go the Jews.
Galatians 2:10 was the final agreement that they were all to remember the poor, which was common practice for Paul. (Acts 11:27-30)