The Two Sided Coin Galatians 2:1-10
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
From Paul’s first trip to Jerusalem until his second trip was 14 years. Remember, Paul wasn’t taught in Jerusalem, he received insight alone with the Lord for 3 years in the desert. Here, Paul goes back with Barnabas and Titus. The leaders of the church at Jerusalem likely urged Paul, for the sake of peace, to compromise by having Titus who was a gentile circumcised, but Paul refused to yield, for to yield would have been to accept the bondage of the law over the freedom of the gospel.
Galatians 2:1NLT Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too.
Titus being a gentile was fitting proof of the effectiveness of Paul’s ministry.
This visit by Paul to Jerusalem was for the Jerusalem council referred to in Acts 15:1-22 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 ‘ After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.’18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
Key events mentioned:
1. God give the Gentiles the Holy Spirit. (Vs.8)
2. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ brought salvation. (Vs.11)
3. God brought miracles and wonders to the Gentiles. (Vs.12)
4. Through the Gentiles who are called, the house of David will be restored. Meaning a Global body of Christ will be united in serving God. (Vs.16-18)
Galatians 2:2NLT I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.
Paul say’s, he went by revelation meaning, he was directed by God.
Vs 2 tells us that Paul never changed his message to suit different occasions and audiences.
Galatians 2:3NLT And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.
Titus became living proof that circumcision wasn’t a prerequisites.
At the core of the Judaizers’ work ststem was the Mosaic prescription of circumcision.
They believed- no circumcision, no salvation.
Galatians 2: 4NLT Even that question came up only because of some so-called Christians there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations.
These Judaizers became satan’s undercover agents sent into the midst of the church to sabotage the true gospel.
This liberty is found only in Christ! There’s two sides of the coin: 1. Freedom in Christ. 2. Absolute slavery to sin!
Galatians 2:5NLT But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.
Paul and Titus never budged from their position of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
Preserving the gospel: Living the good news; speaking the good news- is preserving the gospel.
Galatians 2:6NLT And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.)
Paul never saw himself as inferior.
Galatians 2:7NLT Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews.
As Paul preached and taught God’s word it was confirmed with signs and wonders.
Galatians 2:8NLT For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.
*The more Jesus Paul preached the more faith rouse up. The more Paul taught grace, the more grace came.
Say, “one gospel!” The Holy Spirit empowered both Peter and Paul.
Galatians 2:9NLT In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.
The right hand of fellowship meant, a solemn vow of friendship and a mark of true partnership.
Paul’s ministry flourished!
Galatians 2:10NLT Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.
The Jerusalem church was economically pressed; many had little money.
Verse 10b… which I have always been eager to do.
Paul’s heart was all about ministry; therefore, his whole being was about helping anyone.
