Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with _me_ also. Ver. 1. _I went up_] To that first Christian council, Acts xv. _ With Barnabas_] His constant companion, till that bitter bickering, Acts 15:39. _See Trapp on "_ Act 15:39 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Ver. 2. _By revelation_] _i.e._ By God's special direction; for he ordereth a good man's goings... [ Continue Reading ]
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: Ver. 3. _Was compelled to be circumcised_] _i.e._ I would not yield he should be; lest I should seem to countenance them that held circumcision necessary to salvation. In the year of grace 1549, the ministers of Mag... [ Continue Reading ]
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: Ver. 4. _Unawares brought in_] παρεισακτοι, or privily slipped in, pretending piety to their worldly or wicked respects. With such... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Ver. 5. _To whom we gave place_] We must stick close to the truth, and stickle hard for it, accounting each parcel thereof precious, and not to be parted with for any good. How religious... [ Continue Reading ]
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed _to be somewhat_ in conference added nothing to me: Ver. 6. _Seemed to be somewhat_] Opinion sets the price; when gold is raised from 20s. to 22s., the gold... [ Continue Reading ]
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as _the gospel_ of the circumcision _was_ unto Peter; Ver. 7. _As the gospel of, &c._] He equalizeth himself to Peter in office and dignity; though pseudo-apostles and pseudo-catholics deny him that honour.... [ Continue Reading ]
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) Ver. 8. _For he that wrought, &c._] He argues from the success of his and Peter's ministry to the lawfulness of their calling to the work. So he doth 1Co 9:1-3 2 Corinth... [ Continue Reading ]
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we _should go_ unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. __... [ Continue Reading ]