Key Scripture: I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. ~ Galatians 2:2
Galatians 2:1-10
1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. 2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, 5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you. 6 But from those who were reputed to be important—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me, 7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcised— 8 for he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles— 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.
Study Questions:
- Most commentaries believe that verses 1-10 are a retelling of the events in Acts 15:1-30. Comparing the two accounts does Paul accurately summarize what happened in Jerusalem in this letter to the Galatians? What are some details about this account that aren’t included in the Acts account?
- In verse 2, Paul uses the phrase, “I went up by revelation” (or literally, “by revelation I went up”). The word revelation can be defined in Greek as a) laying bare; b) a disclosure of truth, instruction; c) manifestation, appearance✡ . Compared with Acts 15:2, which definition would most likely be the correct definition?
- In verse 2 Paul says that he, “might be running, or had run, in vain”, what is he referring to? Acts 13:45-49; Romans 15:18-19
- Who were the false brothers that are referred to in verse 4? Acts 15:5
- One of the main arguments that the circumcision group was using is that God’s promises were to the Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham, so in order for anyone to truly be saved they first needed to become a Jew. Based on Genesis 17:14 and Exodus 12:48, did the circumcision group think they had a valid point?
- What circumcision did God really want? Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4
- Paul states in verse 3 that Titus didn’t feel the need to be circumcised, why? Acts 15:24; 21:25. Why did Paul circumcise Timothy and not Titus? Acts 16:1-3; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 10:24
- What are some reasons why there were two separate ministries as stated in verse 9, one for the circumcised and one for the uncircumcised? Acts 21:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:17-20; Romans 4:16 See also Romans 14:13-23.
- What should be our end goal when we minister to those who need to be ministered to? Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 2:3-4
Memory Verse: Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” ~ Acts 10:34-35
_______________
✡ Q2 “G602 – apokalypsis – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 18 May, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g602/kjv/tr/0-1/>.