Galatians 2:1,2

C.

PAUL'S GOSPEL AND APOSTLESHIP CONFIRMED AND MAINTAINED. Galatians 2:1-21

1.

Confirmed by the right hand of fellowship at Jerusalem. Galatians 2:1-10

TEXT 2:1, 2

(1) Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. (2) And I went up by revelation: and I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run in vain.

PARAPHRASE 2:1, 2

1 Then, within fourteen years from my conversion, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking with me Titus also, one of the idolatrous Gentiles whom I had converted.
2 And I then went up by the direction of Christ; and after declaring in public the success of my ministry, I explained to the apostles the gospel which I preach to the Gentiles; But to avoid offence, I did it privately to them who were of greatest reputation, namely, Peter, James, and John, lest perhaps, being suspected to preach differently from them, my future and past labours might become useless.

COMMENT 2:1

Then after the space of fourteen years

1.

The connection with chapter one rather causes one to believe that this visit was fourteen years after his visit with Peter for fifteen days.

2.

The question is raised then, about a second journey not mentioned here. This actually was Paul's third visit.

a.

The second visit was during a time of great needa famine. Cf. Acts 11:27-30; Acts 12:25

b.

The second visit was at the time of a great persecution.

1)

James, the brother of John, was killed with the sword. Acts 12:2

2)

Peter was imprisoned. Acts 12:3

c.

Barnabas was with him on the second visit.

3.

There are several suggested theories concerning the fourteen years.

a.

It was fourteen years from his first visit mentioned in Galatians 1:18.

b.

It was fourteen years from his conversion.

c.

It was fourteen years from the second visit mentioned in Acts 11:30; Acts 12:1-25.

1)

Much is made of Barnabas being with him. Cf. Acts 11:30

2)

Now in Galatians 2:1, he goes up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas. It may be assumed that he is talking of fourteen years after his first trip with Barnabas.

3)

Against this position it should be noted that it seems to have had no bearing on his apostleship.

a)

Since it had no bearing on his apostleship, Paul makes no allusion to it.

b)

Paul is referring back to Galatians 1:18 which did have a bearing on his apostleship.

4.

Let us consider the history of this visit to Jerusalem.

a.

It was made prior to Paul and Barnabas-' separation. Acts 15:39

b.

The trip to Jerusalem is known as The Jerusalem Conference. Acts 15:1-41

c.

Following the visit, the brethren sent Judas (Barsabbas) and Silas back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, with a letter stating the convictions of the Jerusalem assembly.

with Barnabas

1.

Why did Barnabas go with Paul to Jerusalem?

a.

He had seen the results of Paul's preaching to the Gentiles.

b.

The brethren appointed him to go. Acts 15:2

c.

Barnabas had served to introduce Paul to the brethren who were afraid of him. Acts 9:26-27

2.

Barnabas and Paul had formed a great evangelistic team.

taking Titus also with me

1.

Reasons why Titus was taken:

a.

He was a laborer with Paul, and he had worked among the churches in Crete.

b.

He was a Gentile and would be proof that Gentiles need not practice Jewish rites.

2.

The mention of these two men helped to identify the trip to Jerusalem.

COMMENT 2:2

and I went up by revelation

1.

Paul was ordered there by the Holy Spirit, although the agency was the church. Note this!

2.

The church sent Paul for a specific purpose: And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye can not be saved. 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, (Titus) should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. Acts 15:1-2

I laid before them the gospel which I preach

1.

All that Acts states is, And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them. Acts 15:12

2.

It is not likely that he presented them with a copy of his sermons but that he orally rehearsed his convictions.

but privately before them who were of repute

1.

Luther makes this read, I conferred not only with the brethren, but with the leaders among them.

2.

We should not do work in a community without the knowledge of the minister, or the elders.

a.

It is a matter of respect to the faithful brethren already working there.

b.

It appears then as unity rather than division.

lest by any means I should be running, or had run in vain

1.

Paul had kept the Gentiles free from the yoke of the law and he did not want to undo all his work.

2.

It had to be settled with the leaders or it would not be settled.

STUDY QUESTIONS 2:1, 2

136.

What is meant by space of fourteen years?

137.

Was this a second or third visit?

138.

Who went with Paul?

139.

Why did Barnabas go?

140.

Explain the reason for the presence of Titus.

141.

Was it Paul's idea to go to Jerusalem?

142.

What was the nature of the revelation?

143.

What did Paul do upon arrival?

144.

What did he preach?

145.

How was Paul received?

146.

Who was present to hear Paul?

147.

Discuss Paul's running.