 |  |
"And took Titus with me also" (Gal. 2: 1). The parallel wording that we find in the
Acts, concerning the call of Timothy, and this record of Gal. 2:, to the taking of Titus, is
suggestive of close proximity of date.
GALATIANS 2:
ACTS 16:
With him.
With me.
Greek (mother a Jewess).
Greek.
Circumcised.
Not circumcised.
Because of the Jews (dia).
Because of false brethren (dia).
Decrees from Jerusalem.
Nothing added at Jerusalem.
Ministry to Gentiles.
Ministry to Gentiles.
The taking of Titus was something of a test. The Judaizers had intimidated the
Galatian converts, quoting chapter and verse, as many of their successors do to-day--but
failing rightly to divide the scriptures quoted. They urged the necessity for circumcision
to make salvation secure, and had such a view been entertained by the leaders at
Jerusalem, Titus, a Greek, would not have been accepted as he was. Yet said Paul:
"But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be
circumcised" (Gal. 2: 3).
The use of this word "compel" which the structure throws into prominence show how
sadly Peter failed at this point. "Why compellest thou the Gentiles to Judaize?" said Paul
(Gal. 2: 14). Peter's action was not only contrary to the gospel Paul had preached, but to
his own interpretation of its liberties (2: 12) and the attitude adopted finally at Jerusalem
(Acts 15: 24).
Upon what a knife edge, sometimes mighty issues are balanced.
"To whom we gave place by subjection, NO, NOT FOR AN HOUR; that the truth of
the gospel might continue (right through dia meno) with you" (Gal. 2: 5).
The possibilities are too horrible to contemplate--but what might not have happened
had Paul yielded that vital "hour"? We rejoice to know that God is over all, and works
His will both in heaven and earth--yet we also do well to remind ourselves that there is
such a thing as responsibility, that one lone man with God did count, that truth has been
rescued from oblivion by men and women of as little account as he that writes or they
who read these present words of exposition. The result of this interview at Jerusalem
settled for all time the rightful place of Paul and his gospel. Those who "seemed to be
somewhat" could not intimidate one of such singleness of eye as Paul, they saw and
admitted even to the giving of the right hand of fellowship, that there was as full and
complete authority for Paul's gospel and apostleship to the Gentile, as there was for
Peter's apostleship and gospel to the circumcision.
"In conference they added nothing to me . . . . . only that we should remember the
poor" (Gal. 2: 6-10).