Galatians 2:1-10
Q.1. Why did Paul keep his visit to Jerusalem private? Did Titus have to be circumcised? How were they treated by the Judaizers? – (Gal.2:1-4)
Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem and the apostles following his conversion didn’t occur until after three years. The visit was only for fifteen days. (Gal.1:18 c.f. Acts 9:26-30). He did not return until fourteen years later. He had with him Barnabas and a Greek convert, Titus (Gal.2:1 c.f. Acts 11:22-26; 15:1-4). They went to submit to the apostles the Gospel that they preached among the Gentiles. Paul had received this Gospel by revelation from God (Gal.2:2). Paul stated that – I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain (Gal.2:2). Titus was not compelled to be circumcised until some false brethren sought to bring them into bondage (Gal.2:3-4).
Q.2. Whose demands did Paul resist and affirm? Did Paul submit to the apostles? How did Paul’s calling differ from Peter’s? – (Gal.2:5-10)
Paul resisted the legal demands from the Judaizers to preserve their Gospel. However, he gladly complied with the Jerusalem Council’s ruling that included remembering the poor (Gal.2:5 & 10 c.f. Acts 15:8-11). Paul reported about the understanding that he had reached with – James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who were reputed to be pillars in the church… (Gal.2:9). He stated that they recognized the grace that had been given to Paul and Barnabas. They accepted that he had been entrusted with taking the Gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been called to minister to the circumcised. Consequently, the apostles had extended to them the right hand of fellowship – so that we might go to the Gentiles (Gal.2:9 c.f. Gal.2:7-9). (c.f. Gal.1:11-12, 15; 2:6 c.f. 1 Cor.11:23; 2 Cor.12:1-5).