Galatians 2:1-10
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
“2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.“
In today’s passage, Paul is continuing his testimony, which is purposeful. This letter is masterfully written with his intent to prove his apostolic authority and the gospel message so no one would presume otherwise. Enemies of the cross of Christ were at work, and Paul quickly intervened with this letter so the gospel message will never again come under scrutiny, be challenged, and fail: The gospel Paul preached came to him directly from the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12). Praise God! We believe all Scripture is from God. Our Confession of Faith states:
“We believe that the Holy Bible was breathed out, that is, inspired by God, written by men, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. It has God for its author, His glory for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.”
And as we already saw, Paul wanted the churches to know that the gospel he preached was not fabricated by him. He was not trying to solicit their praise. He only wanted to please God.
Therefore, in Galatians 2:1-10, Paul is explaining how he and his gospel message were approved by the church. Paul had a meeting with Peter, James, and John, the three most influential apostles in Jerusalem. Paul tells us his reasons for meeting with them in Galatians 2:2, which says, “I went up because of a revelation and set before them … the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.” Paul was given the gospel with his apostolic commission by Jesus Christ himself. And as we already saw, Paul labored diligently, harder than the other apostles (1 Corinthians 15:10), to serve and please his Lord. So hard, that the book of Romans says Paul’s desire was to take the gospel all the way to Spain (Romans 15:24). Additionally, we can also presume, Paul’s underlining intent was to preserve the gospel for future generations as well, which is us! All praise, glory, and honor to our God!
Some theologians say this trip to Jerusalem is also described by Luke in Acts 15:1-35 and is known as the Jerusalem Council. If so or not, Luke describes this crucial event, which approved the Gospel message for all believers because the core issue with the Council was whether the Gentiles were part of the church or not. The Council also set up mission directives for Paul and Peter: Paul takes the gospel to the uncircumcised and Peter takes the gospel to the circumcised. Paul was also advised to make sure the Gentile churches took care of the poor, orphans, and widows, and avoid food strangled and having blood in it. In Galatians 2:10, Paul said they were told to take care of the poor only, which they were eager to do. Paul also cited Barnabus and Titus as his traveling companions. Barnabus was Paul’s missionary partner, as chosen by Christ and ordained by the church in Antioch. According to the timeline of events in the Book of Acts, Paul and Barnabus went on their first missionary journey in Acts 13-14. Also in Acts 14, the two missionaries came back to their sending church in Antioch to share the great news Christ has done on their journeys. And then in Acts 15, Paul and Barnabus go to the Jerusalem Council. At the end of Acts 15, Paul and Barnabus separate ways. All these events provide Scriptural evidence that Paul’s letter to the Galatians, and especially Galatians 2:1, maybe the same as the Jerusalem Council as described in Acts 15. Equally important, Titus was a young man of faith who was Greek; therefore, he was uncircumcised. Some came in secretively to discover Titus’ nationality and if he was circumcised. He was not compelled to get circumcised, nor did the others in Jerusalem press this on him and violate his freedom in Christ. This fact of Scripture, having Titus welcomed and not circumcised, provides additional evidence that Paul’s apostleship and gospel message, approved by those in Jerusalem, was indeed declared and given by God. Therefore, the undiluted gospel message of Christ has come to us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Glory to God in the highest!”
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Most merciful and gracious God. Thank You, O Lord God Almighty, for the great gospel message of Jesus Christ. Thank You that the Apostle Paul was chosen by You for this great work. We praise You, through the teaching of the gospel as revealed in Scripture, which has equipped us to defend this precious life saving gospel, give us the wisdom to recognize those who try to dilute and present another gospel that is contrary to what Your Word says. Give us grace and strength to go out and make disciples of Christ. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
Southern Gospel Song: I Will Glory in the Cross by Dottie Rambo in 1982
