Satan delights to cause division and disunity among Christians, so as to destroy fellowship and hinder gospel witness. Above all, God is dishonoured by divisions among those who profess to be his people. If leaders become divided, the damage can be great, hence the constant emphasis in the New Testament on unity in Christ and in the gospel. We consider Galatians 2:1-10 Unity in the gospel.
1. Consultation
In 1:18-24 Paul emphasises that his mission and his message did not derive authority from other apostles. His visit ‘after 3 years’ (1:18) was purely to get to know Peter – Paul did not require any kind of apostolic ‘authorisation’. A further visit ‘14 years later’ (v1) was to deal with the vital issue of how the gospel relates to Gentiles. It seems best to regard this as the occasion of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). Note he went ‘in response to a revelation’ (v2), showing how important the issue was. The future of Paul’s ministry to Gentiles was at stake (v2). He was not asking other apostles for correction or authorisation – God gave him his gospel and the authority to preach it – but if others did not agree, his ministry to Gentiles of preaching salvation solely through faith in Christ, free of Jewish ceremonies, would be fatally compromised. If the church got this issue wrong, the Gentile mission would be finished.
2. Infiltration
Paul describes the situation the Galatian churches faced: ‘false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ and to make us slaves’ (v4). These people opposed Paul’s approach to the admission of Gentiles to the church. Often they are designated ‘Judaizers’ – their view was ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved’ (Acts 15:1). At the Council the gospel itself was at stake. Paul knew that grace and works could not be mixed in seeking salvation (Romans 11:6). We are always called to preserve the purity of the gospel, adding nothing to God’s grace. We hear the relief expressed by Paul at the Council’s decision – ‘not even Titus…was compelled to be circumcised’ (v3). Titus was a full Gentile, but no burden of obedience to the ceremonial law was imposed on him. The Council agreed with Paul – in future Gentiles would not be burdened with the Mosaic ceremonies. According to Acts 15:20 only a few concessions were asked of Gentiles to avoid unnecessary offence to Jewish believers.
3. Confirmation
Paul continues to describe the results of the Jerusalem visit. His calling them ‘those who seemed to be important’ (v6) is not denigrating them, but he rejects the undue exaltation of Jewish apostles by the Judaizers at Paul’s expense. It is crucial that unity is expressed – they ‘gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognised the grace given to me’ (v9). All realise they are one in Christ, serving the same Lord and preaching the same gospel. The clarity of the gospel for Jews and Gentiles is preserved. There is a place for distinctive spheres of labour (v9), not excluding some overlap. A practical consequence is concern for the poor (v10, chiefly Jewish believers). It is an example to the church in all ages.