21 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas , taking Titus along also . 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles , but I did so in private e to those who were of reputation , for fear that I might be running , or had run , in vain . 3 But not even Titus , who was with me, though he was a Greek , was compelled to be circumcised . 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus , in order to bring us into bondage . 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour , so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality )-well , those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary , seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised , just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles ), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John , who were reputed to be pillars , gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship , so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised . 10 They only asked us to remember the poor - the very thing I also was eager to do .
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch , I opposed him to his face , because he stood condemned . 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James , he used to eat with the Gentiles ; but when they came , he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof , fearing the party of the circumcision . 13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy , with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy . 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel , I said to Cephas in the presence of all , "If you, being a Jew , live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews , how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews ?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Galatians 2:1-14
Commentary on Galatians 2:1-10
(Read Galatians 2:1-10)
Observe the apostle's faithfulness in giving a full account of the doctrine he had preached among the Gentiles, and was still resolved to preach, that of Christianity, free from all mixture of Judaism. This doctrine would be ungrateful to many, yet he was not afraid to own it. His care was, lest the success of his past labours should be lessened, or his future usefulness be hindered. While we simply depend upon God for success to our labours, we should use every proper caution to remove mistakes, and against opposers. There are things which may lawfully be complied with, yet, when they cannot be done without betraying the truth, they ought to be refused. We must not give place to any conduct, whereby the truth of the gospel would be reflected upon. Though Paul conversed with the other apostles, yet he did not receive any addition to his knowledge, or authority, from them. Perceiving the grace given to him, they gave unto him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, whereby they acknowledged that he was designed to the honour and office of an apostle as well as themselves. They agreed that these two should go to the heathen, while they continued to preach to the Jews; judging it agreeable to the mind of Christ, so to divide their work. Here we learn that the gospel is not ours, but God's; and that men are but the keepers of it; for this we are to praise God. The apostle showed his charitable disposition, and how ready he was to own the Jewish converts as brethren, though many would scarcely allow the like favour to the converted Gentiles; but mere difference of opinion was no reason to him why he should not help them. Herein is a pattern of Christian charity, which we should extend to all the disciples of Christ.
Commentary on Galatians 2:11-14
(Read Galatians 2:11-14)
Notwithstanding Peter's character, yet, when Paul saw him acting so as to hurt the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, he was not afraid to reprove him. When he saw that Peter and the others did not live up to that principle which the gospel taught, and which they professed, namely, That by the death of Christ the partition wall between Jew and Gentile was taken down, and the observance of the law of Moses was no longer in force; as Peter's offence was public, he publicly reproved him. There is a very great difference between the prudence of St. Paul, who bore with, and used for a time, the ceremonies of the law as not sinful, and the timid conduct of St. Peter, who, by withdrawing from the Gentiles, led others to think that these ceremonies were necessary.