Having stressed that he had received the gospel independently and directly from God, Paul now goes on to show that "his gospel" was the same as that of the leaders in Jerusalem, and that he had their full support. Before we look at how he did this, there is an important lesson here. Sometimes God does speak to us directly, but if He does we should still consult with other respected Christians. If someone claims to hear from God, but then in a proud attitude refuses to even listen to input from other Christians, then that is usually a pretty reliable sign that the person has not heard from God at all, but only from their own self-importance.
It was quite some time before Paul went to Jerusalem again. So by this time his ministry was well established, there was plenty of time for people to know what he was doing and preaching. He met with the leaders there and told them what he was preaching.
In verse 3 the key point is made that Titus, who was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised. So if the church in Jerusalem was not insisting on Greeks being circumcised, the agitators in Galatia did not have a leg to stand on.
Other important points are that Jerusalem did not seek to add to Paul's message (2:6), and indeed they recognised the task that God had given to Paul and wished him well in it (2:8,9).
The message is that talk of Paul acting in opposition to Jerusalem was nonsense.
Verses 4 and 5 contain a hint of arguments that are to come, namely between slavery and freedom. The dispute in Galatia was one of great significance, and would profoundly affect the church there and further afield.
It was quite some time before Paul went to Jerusalem again. So by this time his ministry was well established, there was plenty of time for people to know what he was doing and preaching. He met with the leaders there and told them what he was preaching.
In verse 3 the key point is made that Titus, who was a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised. So if the church in Jerusalem was not insisting on Greeks being circumcised, the agitators in Galatia did not have a leg to stand on.
Other important points are that Jerusalem did not seek to add to Paul's message (2:6), and indeed they recognised the task that God had given to Paul and wished him well in it (2:8,9).
The message is that talk of Paul acting in opposition to Jerusalem was nonsense.
Verses 4 and 5 contain a hint of arguments that are to come, namely between slavery and freedom. The dispute in Galatia was one of great significance, and would profoundly affect the church there and further afield.
No comments:
Post a Comment