INTRODUCTION: Fourteen years after Paul had met with Peter for a fortnight (Gal. 1: 18-19) and 2: 1) he again “ went up to Jerusalem”---according to the Lord's own directive (2:2, “I went up by revelation”). This time he would meet with all the apostles. His purpose at Jerusalem was to preserve his apostolic ministry and “ the truth of the gospel” as he had preached it.
Paul's purpose to the Galatians in relating this story also becomes the aim of this lesson: to counter the charge from false teachers (revealed in Paul's line of defense) that Paul's gospel and the gospel of the original apostles was not the same.
REVIEW: Paul's line of defense is a two-edged sword; he not only proved his apostolic claim but also refuted (and by this means revealed to us) the attacks made against him by the false brethren. The first argument (1: 13-14) exposed the Judaizer's charge that Paul received his gospel from men. His second argument ( 1: 14-24) refuted their charge that he was further taught by the apostles or at the church in Judaea after his conversion. This third argument for his apostleship also reveals another charge which the false teachers made against him, that his gospel was not just like the gospel of the Jerusalem apostles ( 2: 1-10).
1. INVESTIGATION--”Lest by any means I should be running, or had run in vain” (Gal. 2: 1-2).
Do not misread this passage! Paul never form the moment of his conversion doubted that his gospel was genuine. This passage teaches that Paul – who was under fire even prior to the Galatian problem and for the same thing-needed the endorsement of the apostles at Jerusalem. This was so that all might be led to believe that the false charges made against him would now rest easy. They now had the knowledge that the original apostles; whom they respected as representatives of the Lord, had given him their endorsement. Even they themselves- it might seem- needed convincing. Hence, rather than give one who might be in error a sounding board for his doctrine, they got together with Paul who “laid before them the gospel...privately before them” (2:2).
In this way, by receiving the apostles; endorsement, Paul's work in the past and in the future---whether he had run or should be running with the gospel---would not be in vain. If the apostles turned thumbs down on him he would have been summarily defeated. No one in Christ would accept him as an apostle. Thus “ lest by any means he should be running or had run in vain,: he laid himself and his gospel open for investigation. He was not worried about the outcome. See verse 8. Both he and the other apostles spoke by the same Holy Spirit.
II. ENDORSEMENT--”They...gave to me and Barnabas the right hands1 of fellowship.” This endorsement came as the result of the investigation which produced the following three things.
A. Titus the Greek not circumcised, 2: 3-5
Titus was a test case. As a Greek he was not a law of Moses keeper. He was not circumcised. If law keeping was essential to salvation, then circumcision would be enjoined on all- Gentiles as well as Jews. Since he was not “compelled to be circumcised” by the apostles it was obvious that the law of Moses was not essential to salvation. The Galatian Gentiles should have seen the implication of this point. This was in itself enough.
B. The Apostles could teach Paul nothing about the gospel, 2: 6-8. The investigation proved Paul to be genuine. The very fact of the apostles investigation of Paul was historical proof that they had no had in his gospel education. Yet it was the same as theirs.
C. The Apostles gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, 2: 9-10. So satisfied were they that they sent Paul with eagerness back to the Gentile mission field and even encouraged him in the handling of money for the poor saints.
CONCLUSION
The events at Jerusalem conclusively proved Paul's apostleship. Not only were he and they together (theologically), but also practically. They all stood together against the false brethren at Jerusalem who would have bound the law on Gentiles as a necessary element of salvation. Notice the “we” of verse 5 who gave not place to the false teachers. That “we” is both Paul and the rest of the apostles.
QUESTIONS:
1. What attitude did Paul have to have in order to subject himself to the humiliation of an apostolic investigation of his doctrine?
2. Does truth fear an investigation?
3. Paul changed once. Did he consider a change of life and doctrine essential to salvation? What is your judgment?
This is the correct translation. It is hands plural and not hand singular.
Original Outline by Ed Wharton, Edited by Lane Rogers