“Galatians 2”

Tuesday, May 02, 2017

The events mentioned early in Galatians 2 probably occurred in Acts 15. Paul found it necessary to go to Jerusalem to help clarify the issue of circumcision in the early church. It would be helpful to read Acts 15:1‑31 in connection with this chapter.

As those great men of faith gathered in Acts 15, they came to the realization that circumcision was strictly an Old Testament requirement and that, once the Law of Moses was replaced with the gospel, circumcision was no longer an ordinance of God. It has been nailed to the cross. People could still circumcise their male children if they wanted to, but it was not necessary to please God.

Both the circumcised and the uncircumcised could join hands in fellowship with God and with one another. This was a huge test in the first century church. Once they got past this issue, real spiritual and numerical growth could occur.

Verse 10 also gives a brief, but important reminder to Christians to help those who are less fortunate. Do not underestimate the value of helping others.

In verses 11-14, Paul recounts an occasion when he had to confront the apostle Peter to the face because he had not handled an encounter with Gentiles in a proper way. Peter had come to Antioch and was eating with Gentiles, according to the agreement reached in Acts 15. But when a group of Jews from Jerusalem (“certain men came from James”) came there, Peter withdrew himself and would not associate with the Gentiles, while his Jewish brothers were there. Paul says that they “were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel.”

Notice Paul’s statement in verses 16 that makes it crystal clear that we are under the New Testament and not the Old. “…that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law.” This truth is taught multiple times in the gospel of Christ.

One of the hardest lessons for the first century Jews to learn was that Gentiles who were converted to Christ were full heirs of God and not subject to Old Testament Jewish customs and practices. It was not easy for them to set aside hundreds of years of traditions.

--Roger Hillis

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