Contending for the Gospel of Grace (Galatians 2)

Scripture reading – Galatians 2

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* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.

Galatians 2

In our prior study, we examined Paul’s defense of his apostleship (Galatians 1:1-2, 10-24) and a fundamental doctrine of our faith: salvation by grace (Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Galatians 2 presents two events in two geographical settings. The first recounts Paul and Barnabas’ meeting in Jerusalem with the apostles and elders of that congregation (Galatians 2:1-10; Acts 15). The second is a drama that unfolded in Antioch when Paul confronted Peter’s hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-21).

Our study of Acts 15 examined the Jerusalem council’s meeting with Paul and Barnabas. Paul acknowledged that meeting in Galatians 2, which occurred fourteen years after his conversion (Galatians 2:1) and followed his first missionary journey through Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). On that journey, many Gentiles turned from idol worship, were saved, and churches were established. As a reminder, Paul’s teaching focused on the Old Testament Scripture, which laid the foundation for the Gospel of Christ he preached.

Paul’s Private Conference with Church Leaders (Galatians 2:1-2)

In Paul’s absence, false brethren entered the churches in Asia Minor and attacked his credibility as an apostle. Those same enemies taught ideas about salvation that conflicted with salvation by grace through faith in Christ and required circumcision of the flesh for salvation (Galatians 1:1, 6-7, 15-17; Acts 15:1). When Paul confronted the false teachers, the contention was so great that he and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and church leaders (Galatians 2:1-4; Acts 15:2, 4-6). I invite you to consider three primary points in the opening verses of Galatians 2.

In our study of Acts 15, we examined the Jerusalem Council and its meeting with Paul and Barnabas. Paul referred to this meeting in Galatians 2. It took place fourteen years after his conversion (Galatians 2:1), following his first missionary journey through Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). During that journey, many Gentiles turned from idol worship, received salvation, and joined newly established churches. Paul’s preaching drew from the Old Testament Scriptures, which provided the foundation for the Gospel of Christ that he proclaimed.

Paul’s Public Confrontation with His Adversaries (Galatians 2:4-5; Acts 15:5-7a)

Paul did not fail to identify his enemies, calling them “false brethren” (Galatians 2:4) who were “of the sect of the Pharisees” (Acts 15:5). These “false brethren” came “privily” [secretly] to demand that Gentile believers be circumcised as a requirement for salvation (Galatians 2:4; Acts 15:1, 5). The debate was heated, as the “false brethren” caused “much disputing” (Acts 15:7). Refusing to yield to the enemies of the Gospel, Paul wrote that he gave no “place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5).

Public Confirmation of Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles. (Galatians 2:6-10)

Paul was neither awestruck nor intimidated by men (Galatians 2:6). He had not come to Jerusalem to seek men’s favor. Yet he wanted the Jerusalem leaders to acknowledge God’s grace and favor toward his message and ministry among the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-9). The apostles and elders affirmed Paul’s ministry (Galatians 2:7-8), and James, Peter, and John publicly affirmed Paul and Barnabas as ministers of the Gospel to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9).

Contending for the Faith (Galatians 2:11-16)

Galatians 2 also recounts Peter’s visit to the believers in Antioch (Galatians 2:11). This event occurred before Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41). After the first Jerusalem council, Peter came to Antioch, where he fellowshipped and “did eat with the Gentiles” (Galatians 2:12). Later, a second delegation from Jerusalem arrived in Antioch, composed of believers who “came from James” (the leader of the Jerusalem church, Galatians 2:12). Sadly, in the company of those men from Jerusalem, Peter “withdrew and separated himself” from the uncircumcised Gentile believers (Galatians 2:12).

Paul, a passionate defender of the faith, would not allow Peter’s hypocrisy to go unchallenged and “withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). Paul observed that Peter feared “them which were of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:12c). Unfortunately, others followed Peter’s example, including Barnabas, who “was carried away with their dissimulation [hypocrisy]” (Galatians 2:13).

Paul’s Controversy with Peter (Galatians 2:14-16)

We can draw many lessons from Paul’s rebuke of Peter. Notice that his rebuke was specific and pointed: “because he [Peter] was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11). We also learn from this event that Paul, an apostle, was Peter’s equal (Galatians 2:11, 14). He openly opposed and reproved Peter, whose public failure required a public correction.

Closing lesson (Galatians 2:14-21) 

One of the most important lessons we can gain from this occasion was Paul’s zeal to preserve “the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14). Peter failed to walk “according to the truth of the gospel,” so Paul openly challenged his hypocrisy and asked, “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?” (Galatians 2:14; 1 Timothy 5:19-20).

Lesson – Error demands reproof. Public error demands public reproof.

Study Questions

 1) Why was Paul unwilling to yield an inch on the point of requiring the Gentiles to be circumcised for salvation? (Galatians 2:3-5; Acts 15:1, 5). What “additions” to the gospel do some make today, and how should believers respond to them?

2) Peter, out of fear of men, “withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” How did Peter’s fear of men affect others, even Barnabas? (Galatians 2:11-13; Proverbs 29:25).

3) In light of Paul’s example of rebuking Peter “before them all,” when does a sin or error warrant public correction, and when should it be handled privately? (Galatians 2:11, 14; 1 Timothy 5:20; Matthew 18:15)