Bible Commentaries

Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again (επειτα δια δεκατεσσαρων ετων παλιν ανεβην — epeita dia dekatessarōn etōn palin anebēn) This use of δια — dia for interval between is common enough. Paul is not giving a recital of his visits to Jerusalem, but of his points of contact with the apostles in Jerusalem. As already observed, he here refers to the Jerusalem Conference given by Luke in Acts 15 when Paul and Barnabas were endorsed by the apostles and elders and the church over the protest of the Judaizers who had attacked them in Antioch (Acts 15:1.). But Paul passes by another visit to Jerusalem, that in Acts 11:30 when Barnabas and Saul brought alms from Antioch to Jerusalem and delivered them to “the elders” with no mention of the apostles who were probably out of the city since the events in Acts 12 apparently preceded that visit and Peter had left for another place (Acts 12:17). Paul here gives the inside view of this private conference in Jerusalem that came in between the two public meetings (Acts 15:4, 6-29).

With Barnabas (μετα αρναβα — meta Barnabā). As in Acts 15:2.

Taking Titus also with me (συνπαραλαβων και Τιτον — sunparalabōn kai Titon). Second aorist active participle of συνπαραλαμβανω — sunparalambanō the very verb used in Acts 15:37. of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas about Mark. Titus is not mentioned in Acts 15 nor anywhere else in Acts for some reason, possibly because he was Luke‘s own brother. But his very presence was a challenge to the Judaizers, since he was a Greek Christian.

By revelation (κατα αποκαλυπσιν — kata apokalupsin). In Acts 15:2 the church sent them. But surely there is no inconsistency here.

I laid before them (ανετεμην αυτοις — anethemēn autois). Second aorist middle indicative of old word ανατιτημι — anatithēmi to put up, to place before, with the dative case. But who were the “them” (αυτοις — autois)? Evidently not the private conference for he distinguishes this address from that, “but privately” (κατ ιδιαν — kat' idian). Just place Acts 15:4. beside the first clause and it is clear: “I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles,” precisely as Luke has recorded. Then came the private conference after the uproar caused by the Judaizers (Acts 15:5).

Before them who were of repute (τοις δοκουσιν — tois dokousin). He names three of them (Cephas, James, and John). James the Lord‘s brother, for the other James is now dead (Acts 12:1.). But there were others also, a select group of real leaders. The decision reached by this group would shape the decision of the public conference in the adjourned meeting. So far as we know Paul had not met John before, though he had met Peter and James at the other visit. Lightfoot has much to say about the Big Four (St. Paul and the Three) who here discuss the problems of mission work among Jews and Gentiles. It was of the utmost importance that they should see eye to eye. The Judaizers were assuming that the twelve apostles and James the Lord‘s brother would side with them against Paul and Barnabas. Peter had already been before the Jerusalem Church for his work in Caesarea (Acts 11:1-18). James was considered a very loyal Jew.

Lest by any means I should be running or had run in vain (μη πως εις κενον τρεχω η εδραμον — mē pōs eis kenon trechō ē edramon). Negative purpose with the present subjunctive (τρεχω — trechō) and then by a sudden change the aorist indicative (εδραμον — edramon), as a sort of afterthought or retrospect (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 201; Robertson, Grammar, p. 988). There are plenty of classical parallels. See also 1 Thessalonians 3:5 for both together again.

Being a Greek (ελλην ων — Hellēn ōn). Concessive participle, though he was a Greek.

Was compelled to be circumcised (ηναγκαστη περιτμητηναι — ēnagkasthē peritmēthēnai). First aorist passive indicative of αναγκαζω — anagkazō and first aorist passive infinitive of περιτεμνω — peritemnō Curiously enough some scholars interpret this language to mean that Paul voluntarily had Titus circumcised, instead of being compelled to do it, an impossible view in my opinion in the light of Galatians 2:5 and wholly inconsistent with the whole context. Paul means that he stood his ground against compulsion and all force.

But because of the false brethren privately brought in (δια δε τους παρεισακτους πσευδαδελπους — dia de tous pareisaktous pseudadelphous). Late verbal adjective παρεισακτος — pareisaktos from the double compound verb παρεισαγω — pareisagō found in papyri in the sense of brought in by the side or on the sly as here. Evidently some of the Judaizers or sympathizers whom Paul had not invited had come in as often happens. Paul terms them “false brethren” like “the false apostles” in 2 Corinthians 11:13 of the Judaizers in Corinth.

Who came in privily (οιτινες παρεισηλτον — hoitines pareisēlthon). Repetition of the charge of their slipping in unwanted (παρεισερχομαι — pareiserchomai late double compound, in Plutarch, in N.T. only here and Romans 5:20).

To spy out (κατασκοπησαι — kataskopēsai). First aorist active infinitive of κατασκοπεω — kataskopeō old Greek verb from κατασκοπος — kataskopos a spy, to reconnoitre, to make a treacherous investigation.

That they might bring us into bondage (ινα ημας καταδουλωσουσιν — hina hēmas katadoulōsousin). Future active indicative of this old compound, to enslave completely (κατα — katȧ) as in 2 Corinthians 11:20. Nowhere else in N.T. This was their purpose (ινα — hina and future active indicative of this causative verb). It was as serious a conflict as this. Spiritual liberty or spiritual bondage, which?

No, not for an hour (ουδε προς ωραν — oude pros hōran). Pointed denial that he and Barnabas yielded at all “in the way of subjection” (τηι υποταγηι — tēi hupotagēi in the subjection demanded of them). The compromisers pleaded for the circumcision of Titus “because of the false brethren” in order to have peace. The old verb εικω — eikō to yield, occurs here alone in the N.T. See note on 2 Corinthians 9:13 for υποταγη — hupotagē

The truth of the gospel (η αλητεια του ευαγγελιου — hē alētheia tou euaggeliou). It was a grave crisis to call for such language. The whole problem of Gentile Christianity was involved in the case of Titus, whether Christianity was to be merely a modified brand of legalistic Judaism or a spiritual religion, the true Judaism (the children of Abraham by faith). The case of Timothy later was utterly different, for he had a Jewish mother and a Greek father. Titus was pure Greek.

Somewhat (τι — ti). Something, not somebody. Paul refers to the Big Three (Cephas, James, and John). He seems a bit embarrassed in the reference. He means no disrespect, but he asserts his independence sharply in a tangled sentence with two parentheses (dashes in Westcott and Hort).

Whatsoever they were (οποιοι ποτε ησαν — hopoioi pote ēsan). Literally, “What sort they once were.”

Hopoioi is a qualitative word (1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 3:13; James 1:24). Lightfoot thinks that these three leaders were the ones who suggested the compromise about Titus. That is a possible, but not the natural, interpretation of this involved sentence. The use of δε — de (but) in Galatians 2:6 seems to make a contrast between the three leaders and the pleaders for compromise in Galatians 2:4.

They, I say, imparted nothing to me (εμοι γαρ ουδεν προσανετεντο — emoi gar ouden prosanethento). He starts over again after the two parentheses and drops the construction απο των δοκουντων — apo tōn dokountōn and changes the construction (anacoluthon) to οι δοκουντες — hoi dokountes (nominative case), the men of reputation and influences whom he names in Galatians 2:8. See the same verb in Galatians 1:16. They added nothing in the conference to me. The compromisers tried to win them, but they finally came over to my view. Paul won his point, when he persuaded Peter, James, and John to agree with him and Barnabas in their contention for freedom for the Gentile Christians from the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonial law.

But contrariwise (αλλα τουναντιον — alla tounantion). But on the contrary (accusative of general reference, το εναντιον — to enantion). So far from the three championing the cause of the Judaizers as some hoped or even the position of the compromisers in Galatians 2:4., they came boldly to Paul‘s side after hearing the case argued in the private conference. This is the obvious interpretation rather than the view that Peter, James, and John first proposed the circumcision of Titus and afterwards surrendered to Paul‘s bold stand.

When they saw (ιδοντες — idontes). After seeing, after they heard our side of the matter.

That I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision (οτι πεπιστευμαι το ευαγγελιον της ακροβυστιας — hoti pepisteumai to euaggelion tēs akrobustias). Perfect passive indicative of πιστευω — pisteuō to intrust, which retains the accusative of the thing (το ευαγγελιον — to euaggelion) in the passive voice. This clear-cut agreement between the leaders “denotes a distinction of sphere, and not a difference of type” (Lightfoot). Both divisions in the work preach the same “gospel” (not like Galatians 1:6., the Judaizers). It seems hardly fair to the Three to suggest that they at first championed the cause of the Judaizers in the face of Paul‘s strong language in Galatians 2:5.

He that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision (ο γαρ ενεργησας Πετρωι εις αποστολην της περιτομης — ho gar energēsas Petrōi eis apostolēn tēs peritomēs). Paul here definitely recognizes Peter‘s leadership (apostleship, αποστολην — apostolēn late word, already in Acts 1:25; 1 Corinthians 9:2) to the Jews and asserts that Peter acknowledges his apostleship to the Gentiles. This is a complete answer to the Judaizers who denied the genuineness of Paul‘s apostleship because he was not one of the twelve.

They who were reputed to be pillars (οι δοκουντες στυλοι ειναι — hoi dokountes stuloi einai). They had that reputation (δοκουντες — dokountes) and Paul accepts them as such. Στυλοι — Stuloi old word for pillars, columns, as of fire (Revelation 10:1). So of the church (1 Timothy 3:15). These were the Pillar Apostles.

Gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship (δεχιας εδωκαν εμοι και αρναβαι κοινωνιας — dexias edōkan emoi kai Barnabāi Koinéōnias). Dramatic and concluding act of the pact for cooperation and coordinate, independent spheres of activity. The compromisers and the Judaizers were brushed to one side when these five men shook hands as equals in the work of Christ‘s Kingdom.

Only (μονον — monon). One item was emphasized.

We should remember (μνημονευωμεν — mnēmoneuōmen). Present active subjunctive, “that we should keep on remembering.”

Which very thing (οαυτο τουτο — hȯ̇auto touto). Repetition of relative and demonstrative, tautology, “which this very thing.” In fact Barnabas and Saul had done it before (Acts 11:30). It was complete victory for Paul and Barnabas. Paul passes by the second public meeting and the letters to Antioch (Acts 15:6-29) and passes on to Peter‘s conduct in Antioch.

I resisted him to the face (κατα προσωπον αυτωι αντεστην — kata prosōpon autōi antestēn). Second aorist active indicative (intransitive) of αντιστημι — anthistēmi “I stood against him face to face.” In Jerusalem Paul faced Peter as his equal in rank and sphere of work. In Antioch he looked him in the eye as his superior in character and courage.

Because he stood condemned (οτι κατεγνωσμενος ην — hoti kategnōsmenos ēn). Periphrastic past perfect passive of καταγινοσκω — kataginoskō old verb to know against, to find fault with. In N.T. only here and 1 John 3:20.

For before that certain came from James (προ του γαρ ελτειν τινας απο Ιακωβου — pro tou gar elthein tinas apo Iakōbou). The reason (γαρ — gar) for Paul‘s condemnation of Peter. Articular infinitive in the genitive after προ — pro with the accusative of general reference (τινας — tinas), “for before the coming as to some from James.” Does Paul mean to say that these “certain” ones had been sent by James to Antioch to inspect the conduct of Peter and the other Jewish brethren? Some scholars think so. No doubt these brethren let the idea get out that they were emissaries “from James.” But that idea is inconsistent with the position of James as president of the conference and the author of the resolution securing liberty to the Gentile Christians. No doubt these brethren threatened Peter to tell James and the church about his conduct and they reminded Peter of his previous arraignment before the Jerusalem Church on this very charge (Acts 11:1-18). As a matter of fact the Jerusalem Conference did not discuss the matter of social relations between Jews and Gentiles though that was the charge made against Peter (Acts 11:1.).

He did eat with the Gentiles (μετα των ετνων συνηστιεν — meta tōn ethnōn sunēsthien). It was his habit (imperfect tense).

He drew back (υπεστελλεν — hupestellen). Imperfect tense, inchoative action, “he began to draw himself (εαυτον — heauton) back.” Old word υποστελλω — hupostellō See middle voice to dissemble (Acts 20:20, Acts 20:27), to shrink (Hebrews 10:38).

Separated himself (απωριζεν εαυτον — aphōrizen heauton). Inchoative imperfect again, “began to separate himself” just like a Pharisee (see note on Galatians 1:15) and as if afraid of the Judaizers in the Jerusalem Church, perhaps half afraid that James might not endorse what he had been doing.

Fearing them that were of the circumcision (ποβουμενος τους εκ περιτομης — phoboumenos tous ek peritomēs). This was the real reason for Peter‘s cowardice. See Acts 11:2 for “οι εκ περιτομης — hoi ek peritomēs ” (they of the circumcision), the very phrase here. It was not that Peter had changed his views from the Jerusalem resolutions. It was pure fear of trouble to himself as in the denials at the trial of Christ.

Dissembled likewise with him (συνυπεκριτησαν αυτωι και — sunupekrithēsan autōi kai). First aorist passive indicative of the double compound verb συνυποκρινομαι — sunupokrinomai a late word often in Polybius, only here in N.T. One example in Polybius means to pretend to act a part with. That idea here would help the case of the rest of the Jews, but does not accord with Paul‘s presentation.

Insomuch that even Barnabas (ωστε και αρναβας — hōste kai Barnabas). Actual result expressed by ωστε — hōste and the indicative and και — kai clearly means “even.”

Was carried away with their dissimulation (συναπηχτη αυτων τηι υποκρισει — sunapēchthē autōn tēi hupokrisei). First aorist passive indicative of συναπαγω — sunapagō old verb, in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 3:17. υποκρισει — Hupokrisei is in the instrumental case and can only mean hypocrisy in the bad sense (Matthew 23:28), not merely acting a part. It was a solemn moment when Paul saw the Jerusalem victory vanish and even Barnabas desert him as they followed the timid cowardice of Peter. It was Paulus contra mundum in the cause of spiritual freedom in Christ.

But when I saw (Αλλ οτε ειδον — All' hote eidon). Paul did see and saw it in time to speak.

That they walked not uprightly (οτι ορτοποδουσιν — hoti orthopodousin). Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse, “they are not walking straight.” Ορτοποδεω — Orthopodeō (ορτος — orthos straight, πους — pous foot). Found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, though ορτοποδες βαινοντες — orthopodes bainontes does occur.

According to the truth of the gospel (προς την αλητειαν του ευαγγελιου — pros tēn alētheian tou euaggeliou). Just as in Galatians 2:5. Paul brought them to face (προς — pros) that.

I said unto Cephas before them all (ειπον τωι Κηπαι εμπροστεν παντων — eipon tōi Kēphāi emprosthen pantōn).

Being a Jew (Ιουδαιος υπαρχων — Ioudaios huparchōn though being a Jew). Condition of first class, assumed as true. It was not a private quarrel, but a matter of public policy. One is a bit curious to know what those who consider Peter the first pope will do with this open rebuke by Paul, who was in no sense afraid of Peter or of all the rest.

As do the Gentiles (ετνικως — ethnikōs). Late adverb, here only in N.T. Like Gentiles.

As do the Jews (Ιουδαικως — Ioudaikōs). Only here in N.T., but in Josephus.

To live as do the Jews (Ιουδαζειν — Iouda). Late verb, only here in the N.T. From Ιουδαιος — Ioudaios Jew. Really Paul charges Peter with trying to compel (conative present, αναγκαζεις — anagkazeis) the Gentiles to live all like Jews, to Judaize the Gentile Christians, the very point at issue in the Jerusalem Conference when Peter so loyally supported Paul. It was a bold thrust that allowed no reply. But Paul won Peter back and Barnabas also. If II Peter is genuine, as is still possible, he shows it in 2 Peter 3:15. Paul and Barnabas remained friends (Acts 15:39.; 1 Corinthians 9:6), though they soon separated over John Mark.