Setting – Paul provides information on his gospel to the Gentiles to the Apostles in Jerusalem.
Content – Because of a revelation, Paul heads up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus (a Gentile). There he submits to them the gospel that he has been preaching to the Gentiles. He did this in private fearing that his gospel might not be accepted knowing that some of the Jewish traditions were still being paired as requirements with the gospel. This is seen by Paul’s statement (v. 3), “But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised”
But it was found out that Titus was not circumcised and this must have brought some contention (v. 5), “But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour…” But the counsel saw that Paul was entrusted with the gospel to the Gentiles just as Peter was entrusted to the Jews. The counsel (v. 9), “…gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised”
Application – The book of Galatians is addressing the issue of bent doctrine. Here the Jewish requirements were being place upon them in addition to the gospel. Paul makes his point that the gospel is Christ alone with no additional requirements.
We need to remember that God looks on the inside, while man looks at the outside. Our tendency is to do the right things, rather than be the right person. This means that we need to look at and address our heart issues first before we start doing things.
Content – Because of a revelation, Paul heads up to Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus (a Gentile). There he submits to them the gospel that he has been preaching to the Gentiles. He did this in private fearing that his gospel might not be accepted knowing that some of the Jewish traditions were still being paired as requirements with the gospel. This is seen by Paul’s statement (v. 3), “But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised”
But it was found out that Titus was not circumcised and this must have brought some contention (v. 5), “But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour…” But the counsel saw that Paul was entrusted with the gospel to the Gentiles just as Peter was entrusted to the Jews. The counsel (v. 9), “…gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised”
Application – The book of Galatians is addressing the issue of bent doctrine. Here the Jewish requirements were being place upon them in addition to the gospel. Paul makes his point that the gospel is Christ alone with no additional requirements.
We need to remember that God looks on the inside, while man looks at the outside. Our tendency is to do the right things, rather than be the right person. This means that we need to look at and address our heart issues first before we start doing things.
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