Galatians 2 — Gentile Circumcision
Introduction: In this second chapter Paul begins to lay out the background that should have settled the question of circumcision for Gentile believers. He adds to this the discussion of some other hypocrisy that may continue even after faith in Christ alone had been agreed as that which was to bring Jew and Gentile believers together while eliminating former distinctions.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the Revised Webster Bible.
A — Taking the Question about Gentile Circumcision to Jerusalem
Galatians 2 “1 Then fourteen years after I went again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them who were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 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 secretly 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.”
Comments: Paul indicates that it was fourteen years after he had first met with Peter in Jerusalem before he went back there from Antioch. His preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles without requiring circumcision was based on revelation, not on any man’s authority. Paul met privately with those who were of reputation in the church to allow open discussion until a consensus was reached. A major point was that Titus, a Greek who had accompanied Paul, was not compelled to be circumcised, thus providing a very personal example of agreement among apostles on this topic. False brethren had claimed that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved, but Paul said these men had come in under a cloak of secrecy to undermine the liberty that disciples have in Christ Jesus. This was a crucial issue, rooted in the truth that salvation from sin comes by faith alone, not by works of the law.
B — Paul’s Apostleship Was Not Conferred at Jerusalem
Galatians 2 “6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatever 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 on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to me, as the gospel of the circumcision was to 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 to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was diligent to do.”
Comments: Paul again makes the point as he did in chapter one, that the true preaching of the gospel of Christ comes not from man, but is given by the Holy Spirit. Apostleship is not achieved in any way through physical inheritance or by the independent exercise of talent or ability, but only by the calling of God. By going to Jerusalem to consult others who were called of God, this did not add anything to Paul’s authority which he had received directly from Christ. As Paul was called by the Lord as an apostle to Gentiles, Peter, James, and John were called by the Lord as apostles to the Jews. When James, Peter, and John discerned that the grace of the Lord was at work, they extended warm recognition of a fellowship in gospel ministry. A common factor of ministry for all of them would be to remember the poor.
C — Paul Confronts Peter’s Hypocrisy at Antioch
Galatians 2 “11 But when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles: but when they had come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews likewise were hypocrites with him; so that Barnabas also was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to 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?… 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 may 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.”
Comments: But when Peter came to Antioch, Paul needed to confront him directly because he had changed his conduct toward Gentiles. He ate with the Gentiles until certain ones came from James, then Peter withdrew himself and ate only with the Jews. Peter’s actions apparently influenced other Jews at Antioch, including even Barnabas, and they joined him in his hypocrisy. Paul said that when he saw their behavior being contrary to the truth of the gospel, he spoke to Peter in front of them all. His reasoning was that Jews could now be free of the law for justification as were the Gentiles, and therefore should not compel Gentiles to live in the strict manner of the Jews. Those who are Jews by nature now know that no man is justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.
D — Righteousness Is Gained by Grace Not by Law
Galatians 2 “17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? By no means. 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 may live to 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 set aside the grace of God: for if righteousness is gained by the law, then Christ hath died in vain.”
Comments: Even though we are still sinners while we depend upon faith in Christ for our justification, this by no means indicates that Christ is condoning any sin in our lives. At the same time, we cannot go back to depending on the keeping of the law to please God, because that would mean we have returned to the point of not placing our full trust in his finished work. Through understanding of the law we know that no one can keep the whole law, and thus be justified through it. The law actually proves our condemnation and our need to live for God only through his grace through faith in Christ. Our life is no longer our own because Christ loved us and gave himself for us. If righteousness is gained by the law, then Christ has died in vain — this should bring our full attention to the essential truth that Christ came to die to redeem sinners from the sentence of death inherent in all offspring of Adam.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord I thank you for the record of scripture that even your chosen apostles not only struggled with their nature in the flesh before your death, burial, and resurrection; but even in the early development of your church there were disagreements among them that needed to be resolved through the guidance of your Holy Spirit. It can be difficult for me to understand that you truly are no respecter of persons, and that from the least to the greatest in your kingdom, all must depend fully on your Spirit to do the work you have designed for each member of the body of Christ. Guide me Lord to seek the proper balance of being subject to those in authority over me, while searching the scriptures constantly to verify the truth of what is being taught or preached by them. I want to honor you Lord by following the established manner of living as your disciple without having any pride that would cause me to forget your precious and unsurpassed sacrifice to remove my sin which I could never erase by my own atonement. Hallelujah and Amen.
Published 2 November 2012