Galatians 2:3-5

TEXT 2:3-5

(3) But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: (4) and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who come in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (5) to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

PARAPHRASE 2:3-5

3 However, that the apostles to whom I communicated my gospel, acknowledged it to be the true gospel of Christ, is evident from this, that not even Titus, who was with me, though a converted Gentile, was compelled to be circumcised.

4 On account even of the secretly introduced false brethren of the Jewish nation, who, pretending to be Christians, came in privily to our meetings at Jerusalem, to find out and condemn our freedom from the law of Moses, which we Gentiles have obtained by Christ Jesus-' gospel, that they might bring us into bondage under the law.
5 To these false brethren I did not give place, by subjecting Titus to the law of Moses, not even for an hour. This fortitude I shewed, that the truth of the gospel concerning the freedom of the Gentiles from that law might remain with you and all the Gentiles.

COMMENT 2:3

not even Titus... was compelled to be circumcised

1.

The apostles were gathered and this was their decision, when the Pharisees said, It is needful to circumcise them and to charge them to keep the law of Moses. Acts 15:5

a.

Peter's word: Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers, nor we were able to bear? Acts 15:10

b.

James-' word: Wherefore my judgment is that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God. Acts 15:19

c.

The brethren's plan: They selected men out of their group to take a letter and to return to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. For it seemeth good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay no greater burden than these necessary things. Acts 15:28

2.

This was the apostles-' big opportunity to condemn Paul's gospel but they did not; rather, they verified it.

3.

Reasons why Paul then had Timothy circumcised: Acts 16:1-3

a.

Titus was pure GentileTimothy was half Jew.

b.

A background of Jewish religion made this problem a serious one. Now they could not use this as a stumbling block to this preaching.

c.

Paul was a Jew and did not need to renounce all that was Jewish, for that would repel his people.

d.

He became all things. to win some. 1 Corinthians 9:20-23

COMMENT 2:4

And that because of the false brethren

1.

Catholic Bible has a clearer reading: although it was urged. on account of false brethren.

2.

The Pharisees no doubt had a part, for they followed Christ and Paul everywhere to make trouble.

privately brought in

1.

Certainly the Apostles did not bring them in. No!

2.

The troublemakers brought them in in secret.

to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ

1.

The Christian has freedom from the law of the O.T.

a.

Paul in Romans uses the illustration of the woman whose husband dies: Wherefore my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ; that ye should be joined to another. Romans 7:3-4 Read also Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:8, Galatians 5:13.

2.

Observe that liberty is in Christ only.

3.

The Jews never gave up, for in later years Paul (in Jerusalem) took a vow with four others. Acts 21:21-26

That they might bring us into bondage

1.

The law was bondage compared to freedom in Christ. Galatians 4:3-5

2.

Instead of escaping from bondage, they wanted to bring others into it.

FALSE BRETHREN 2:4-7

False doctrines and false teachers interrupt the sweet spirit that prevails when men follow only the truth. Sham Christians acted as spies.

Paul stated that they had stolen in to spy upon the liberty we enjoy in the fellowship of Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:4). These could not stand the message of righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus. They had to bring the believers under law. They insisted upon circumcision so they could glory in the flesh. Paul said, These men wanted to bring us into bondage, but not for one moment did I yield to their dictation.

Circumcision had no part in the Gospel.
Justification, as Paul uses the term, is not by faith and something else. It is by faith in Christ and nothing else!

One did not hold another gospel merely because he was circumcised. He advocated another gospel only when he affirmed that circumcision was necessary for justification, that is, to assume a right relationship with God. Now certain persons who had come down from Judea began to teach the brotherhood that those who were not circumcised in accordance with Mosaic practice could not be saved Acts 15:1. That was another gospel.

What was wrong with the new gospel was that it predicated salvation upon another principle than absolute trust in Jesus Christ.
We must be careful in interpreting this idea of a new gospel into too many of our religious discussions.
One can be mistaken about a lot of things without perverting the gospel. Faulty understanding of some point of doctrine, a warped view of interpretation of an apostolic passagethese in no sense constitute another gospel.
Those who are not free in Christ to make mistakes are not free at all.
Men upon both sides of some matters in the realm of opinions have obeyed the same gospel. To accuse one of advocating another gospel because he disagrees with a position upon one of the items, where the scripture has not spoken, may speak much more forcibly about our ignorance than about his. The one who is in danger of projecting another gospel is the one who makes fellowship dependent not upon our relationship to God through the Spirit, but upon agreement with his faction upon some point of theological deduction not found in the word.

COMMENT 2:5

did not give way to subjection

1.

Paul had Timothy circumcised because it was expedient in order to win the Jews. Acts 16:3

2.

Here at Jerusalemthe action would set a precedent for all time.

3.

The Gospel can not be compromisedwe can not give way, or give place when it is God's place.

a)

Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27

b)

Stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

c)

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs. Matthew 7:6

That the truth of the gospel might continue with you

1.

Either you have to become a Jew to become a Christian, or you do not. Paul said you do not, and stood his ground.

2.

Either you are dead to the law or subject to it. Paul said you are not subject and would not give in.

a.

Wherefore my brethren ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ. Romans 7:4

b.

So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ. Galatians 3:24

STUDY QUESTIONS 2:3-5

148.

How was Titus received?

149.

Where is the subject of circumcision discussed more fully?

150.

Why was Timothy circumcised?

151.

Who was brought in?

152.

Who would have done this?

153.

Were they publicly brought in?

154.

What is liberty in Christ?

155.

Find other verses that deal with the subject.

156.

Did the spies have evil motives?

157.

What does Paul teach concerning bondage?

158.

Did Paul compromise while in Jerusalem?

159.

Did Paul ever give in to pressure?

160.

Why was he so set in Jerusalem?

161.

What is involved in the truth of the Gospel?