Tags
Bible, Christianity, Church, circumcision, Contend for the faith, Faith, Fellowship, Galatians, Gentile, heresy, Jew, Party, Paul, Peter, study, Unity
Gal 2.11: “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.”
- “when Cephas came to Antioch” Here the narrative jumps forward, possibly to the same moment as Acts 15.1-2. The specific exchange here and in v. 14 are not recorded elsewhere. However, the exact moment of the events is less significant compared to the dispute occurring.
- “I opposed him to his face” The confrontation is face-to-face; it is very direct.
- “Cephas” Paul keeps using Peter’s Jewish name. I wonder why that is.
- “He stood condemned” Paul is not the judge of Peter— God is. Both have grace and calling by God, and it is God who judges his servant, finding him lacking. Paul just delivers the judgement.
2.12: “For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.”
- Regarding time, we are now just before Acts 15.1-2, when members of the Circumcision party will go to Antioch. This is probably after persons from the C.P. followed Paul on his missionary journey, since Paul is referencing a confrontation in Antioch. This is cross referenced in the ESV study Bible, although could Peter have also visited Antioch prior to Paul’s first missionary journey? I don’t see definitive proof in the text in either direction.
- “certain men… from James…” is likely a reference to Acts 15.1-2. Notice that Paul doesn’t call them brothers. Likewise, the report in this passage in Acts 15 shows them spreading a different gospel.
- Paul’s response will be quite severe against the Circumcision party in just a little bit.
- Interesting tidbit on the Greek here: the word used for “certain men” is “tis,” for which the Strongs NT gives this explanation: “used of persons and things concerning which the writer either cannot or will not speak more particularly.” It’s a bit like the Latin adjective “ista—” something distasteful to the speaker.
- In other words, Paul either cannot describe these certain men more definitively beyond their point of origin, or he will not (doesn’t want to) for an unspecified reason. Based on Paul’s first hand retelling of the story, it is likely he knew who these men were. Therefore, he could be more exacting, but won’t.
- Notice the effect these men will have on the fellowship of believers in vv. 12-13. Before, Peter, a devout Jew, is eating with the Gentiles. This act points towards fellowship and brotherhood. More so than today, to share a meal together points to a peace and communion with someone else. But when these men come, that unity evaporates.
- Let’s not miss this: beliefs cause a dispute; they force Peter to choose. Does the ceremonial and civil law really not matter? Are Jews and Gentiles equal and united and 1 under Christ? Is there any significance to being a Jew in the Christian church? Before these men from James arrive, Peter’s answer would have been, “Yes, yes, and no.” But these men, most likely other Jews, come and Peter balks. Peter stops eating with the Gentiles. We shouldn’t miss this because it proves that belief spurs action, and action affects fellowship. Simply saying, “we should be united,” or “let’s just get along” won’t do. If they believe serious errors or heresies, and you keep fellowship with them as a part of the brotherhood, you will likely fall to their errors.
- Remember the command in Jude 3: we are told “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
- Because of fear, Peter drew away from the Gentiles. In other words, he feared losing/not having the good opinion of these men. Contrast that fear of man with Paul’s question in Galatians 1.10. You will only ever do one or the other. You will either fear man and seek the approval of man, or you will fear God and seek his approval. You cannot have it both ways.