Snoopy Grapples with Galatians

[unsafe]

Paul here is really having to defend himself as an Apostle ---so he trying to assure these critics that his Apostleship is legit and that he is not lying ------

This must have been hard for people to understand and believe as they only knew this person who persecuted them so for them it probably did cause them to be weary of what he was saying to them --that probably would have seemed like a far fetched tale -----that he met Jesus on the road -----a little hard to take serious for them I would think

The other Apostles were with Jesus and trained by Him -----

When you grow up in a place and you were known as a tyrant around the town or city and then you become a minister Preaching to people in your own town ----it can be difficult thing as people can't let go of who you were in the past and all of a sudden your preaching what people should be acting like ------you are bound to be ridiculed and mocked by some people who knew you way back where ---

Paul had a reputation that followed him and now he has to defend himself to others -----it must have been frustrating for him in the beginning ------I would think -----

 

[paradox3]

Galatians 2: 1-5

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 2:1-5 - New English Translation

Confirmation from the Jerusalem Apostles - Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the...

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After 14 years, Paul returned to Jerusalem. He took Barnabas and Titus with him.

In a private meeting with influencial people, Paul presented the gospel he preaches to the gentiles.

Titus, a Greek, was not required to be circumcised . This matter arose because false brothers with false pretenses had slipped as spies & to make them slaves.

Paul and the others did not surrender even for a moment.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Galatians 2: 1-5

Seems like a lot of fuss about circumcision. Who were the influential people? Who were the false brothers?

Yours, Snoopy

 

[unsafe]

Circumcision was part of God's Covenant with Abraham ---so for the Jewish Nation it was a big deal ---

So we see God mentions Paul took Titus who was a Greek convert was not circumcision ----it does not say why he took Titus but some commentaries say it was a deliberate act to assert the Freedom of the Gentile Converts from the bondage of the Law ---

And I have to say ----that makes perfect sense to me

Paul returns to Jerusalem -----and says he went there not on his own thinking but because he had a revelation to go there from God ----

This is important here to note ----when we go on our own whim to preach or to do God;s work we can mess up and have it turn out not to be a success -----so waiting on God's direction is best to insure success ----

Who were the influential people?

They were leaders of the Church some commentaries say could be Peter and John and Paul wanted to meet with them in private so there wouldn't be a public display or issues in public about what he was to preach about which was the Good News -justifying by Faith not by the Law --as this was a controversial issue -

Who were the false brothers?

They were unbelievers --False Christians who infiltrated the Church to try and sabotage the New Gospel that God wanted preached -----and keep people enslaved to the law ===

But Paul did not cave into them ----he stood his ground so the truth of the Gospel could continue and be preserved -----

Today we have many False Christians in our Churches who continue to down play the Real Gospel of being justified by Faith and continue to push Works for Justification -----

 

[Mystic]

In Jesus' day there were 400 synagogues in Jerusalem with varying theological perspectives (e.g. Essene, Hellenisic [Greek-speaking], freed slaves from all over the Mediterranean). Early Christian converts came from these diverse synagogues and there were no churches as large dist nct architectural structures; rather, early churches had to meet in a variety of small house churches. So it was hard for apostolic leadership from James and Peter to unify the religious perspectives of these various meeting places. So it was inevitable that some Jerusalem Jewish Christians took a hard line on the need of Gentile converts to get cirucmcised.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Seems like a lot of fuss about circumcision.

Really? I'd think if you were an adult male with a foreskin, you might have thought the fuss more personal.

 

[paradox3]

Galatians 2: 6-10

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 2:6-10 - New English Translation

But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message. On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was entrusted...

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The influential leaders added nothing to Paul's message. They saw that Paul had a mission to the gentiles while their own mission was to the circumcised. .

John, James and Peter recognized the grace given to Paul from God. They extended the hand of friendship to Paul and Barnabas.

They requested only that the poor be remembered.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Galatians 2: 6-10

What a great conflict resolution story!

Yours, Snoopy

 

[BetteTheRed]

What a great conflict resolution story!

Hmm...there's sort of an "I'm always in the right" arrogance about Paul that I find a bit off-putting.

"6 And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. " It seems that some of those leaders were probably people who had walked with Jesus during his time on earth - and Paul could learn nothing from them? Paul seems not to have absorbed Jesus' philosophies about humility AT ALL.

 

[Mystic]

Galatians 2: 6-10

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 2:6-10 - New English Translation

But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message. On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was entrusted...

www.biblegateway.com

The influential leaders added nothing to Paul's message. They saw that Paul had a mission to the gentiles while their own mission was to the circumcised. .

John, James and Peter recognized the grace given to Paul from God. They extended the hand of friendship to Paul and Barnabas.

The apostles and Jesus' brother James check out Paul's Gospel to ensure that it matches their preaching. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 Paul summarizes his Gospel, including the earliest specific list of Jesus' resurrection appearances. Paul introduces his Gospel summary with the standard Jewish formula for tradition transmission: "I handed down to you as of first importance what I in turn had received." The details of Paul's Gospel presentation were confirmed by Jerusalem eyewitnesses of Jesus during his 2 earlier trips to Jerusalem. This is important for Chrisitan apologetics because it means that his list of Jesus' resurrection appearances can be connected with eyewitness

 

[paradox3]

Hmm...there's sort of an "I'm always in the right" arrogance about Paul that I find a bit off-putting.

"6 And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those leaders contributed nothing to me. " It seems that some of those leaders were probably people who had walked with Jesus during his time on earth - and Paul could learn nothing from them? Paul seems not to have absorbed Jesus' philosophies about humility AT ALL.

Yes, agreed it seems arrogant not to care about the identity of the established leaders and to say they contributed nothing. After agreement is reached about the respective ministries, the hand of fellowship is extended.

The focus on the poor is interesting. The Jewish leaders were concerned about the poor.. Paul more or less said "yes, yes, I also am concerned." But was he sincere, does anyone think???

 

[Mystic]

Yes, agreed it seems arrogant not to care about the identity of the established leaders and to say they contributed nothing. After agreement is reached about the respective ministries, the hand of fellowship is extended.

Not arrogant at all! Paul doesn't mean that the disciples added nothing to his theological knowledge, e. g. sayings and stories about Jesus; Rather, he means that they added nothing to his Gospel, which focuses on Christ's atoning death and resurrectionl

The focus on the poor is interesting. The Jewish leaders were concerned about the poor.. Paul more or less said "yes, yes, I also am concerned." But was he sincere, does anyone think???

Paul's epistles deal with his massive effort to raise and transport a collection from his pioneered churches for "the poor" in the Jerusalem church.
My dissertation advisor, Dieter Georgi, for my doctorate wrong a major monograph on "The Collection."

 

[unsafe]

it seems arrogant not to care about the identity of the established leaders and to say they contributed nothing.

I think Paul was meaning that their influential ranks in the past had no effect on what Paul was about to be preaching ---as they were preaching to the Jewish Nation circumcision and Paul was preaching the uncircumcision ---and so Paul was in no way feeling inferior to them or dependant on them for his authority to Preach the Good News ==

God does not show Favoritism ---to rank ---wealth ---or an external condition of any person ----so Paul is saying that he does not think himself of a higher authority as they stand equal in their authority
The right hand of fellowship was extended to Paul in verse 9 -----this is a token of acceptance and friendship and more

Greek word for right hand

Usage: The Greek word "dexios" primarily refers to the right hand or right side. In biblical contexts, it often symbolizes a place of honor, authority, or power. The right hand is frequently associated with strength and skill, as well as a position of favor and blessing.

 

[paradox3]

Galatians 2: 11-14

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 2:11-14 - New English Translation

Paul Rebukes Peter - But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong. Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who...

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Paul rebukes Peter for his hypocrisy. Peter has been eating with the Gentiles because he is afraid of those who are pro-circumcision. Other Jews, including Barnabas, joined him and were led astray.

Paul chastises him: If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the gentiles to live like Jews? (v.14)

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Galatians 2: 11-14

Today we have drama with a growing divide in the early church.

Yours, Snoopy

 

[unsafe]

This first verse here is showing that there is righteous Judgment for a fellow believer who going down the wrong path and needs to be called out so as to being them back to the right path ------and Paul does not hold back he Rebuke Peter in quick public fashion -----

Believers have no right to judge unbelievers for their actions as they are acting like this world acts ----and Christians are the worst for judging worldly people for their worldly actions ------

We see that Peter was eating and socializing with the Gentiles but when James arrives with certain people he separated himself out of fear of them opposing him ---so we see here him being a Hypocrite ----this reminds me of Peter who denounced knowing Jesus -----Old Traits coming back to the surface -----

We can say we have changed but at times our old traits will resurface and we have to recognize it when they do and get back on the right tract -----

Both Peter and Barnabas were led astray here ------their conduct was dishonest and to walk with God requires honesty and integrity -----Paul felt approved to openly chastise the Hypocrisy --

The Spirit of this world which is cunning and deceptive got the better of them ----

Paul is showing here that Public rebuke is right when the Church (people )are in danger of being led in error of the true Gospel and the Christ Character which a True Believer is supposed to be living and showing ====

 

[GordW]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Galatians 2: 11-14

Today we have drama with a growing divide in the early church.

Yours, Snoopy

And we only have ONE side of the divide being presented.

 

[paradox3]

Galatians 2: 15-21

Bible Gateway passage: Galatians 2:15-21 - New English Translation

The Justification of Jews and Gentiles - We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and...

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Paul explains that righteousness does not come from observing Jewish Law but through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Paul's old self has been crucified with Christ and now Christ lives in him. If all this were not so, Jesus would have died for nothing.

 

[paradox3]

Snoopy's Snappy Review: Galatians 2: 15-21

Hmmm. Doesn't Jesus say in Matthew's gospel that he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it?

Yours, Snoopy

 

[unsafe]

We see here that this section is how we are justified in God's sight now -----

The Jews were in a different position than the Gentiles were as the Jews even though they sinned they were God's chosen Nation and by and through God's Grace were given a way out of their sin by the blood of animal sacrifices so they could come near to God and pray to Him and He could communicate with His People -----the Gentiles did not have this way out and as stated in the scripture here were classed as Sinners by the Jews ----The Gentiles were not included in God's Covenant ----

Under the Old Covenant of the Law ----works was your justification ----the law required no Faith ---as you performed what was written --you read the Laws and keep them -----the works of the law made you Righteous ------but the problem was no man could keep the Law and the law then actually increased sin ---In this Covenant God has a part and the people had a part ---it was a 2 party system ----it wasn't working

God brought in a New Covenant ---and this Covenant was under Grace ----it was a one party Covenant ---the people had nothing to contribute ----God did it all by Himself --and included the Gentiles in this free gift --and all people have to access it by Faith in what God did to bring this about ---and receive it ----so now all people can be justified before God when they have Faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross for them ----

Many say receiving is a work ---no it is not ----

from Strong's Concordance
In the Jewish context, receiving was also tied to the acceptance of divine revelation and blessings.

So how do you accept this free gift ----by Faith ---Faith requires your positive response which is acceptance ----there is no work to this ----there is no work performance by the people needed --- So Faith is the justifier now ---not the keeping of the Law ----

Today many Ministers still tell their Church that if they do good works that they are justified and made right with God and are heaven bound ---no so --

So what about the Laws ---the 613 laws are still there ---God's laws are perfect but namkind is not and so mankind cannot keep the laws ---so what is the point of them ----it just shows up your sin ----as you struggle to keep them ---they keep you in bondage to trying to keep them and you can't ----the New Covenant takes the shackles to the law off and gives freedom ---to either to accept or reject God's off of Salvation to all who have Faith in Christ -----

The Law brought with it eternal death as it brought and kept the Curses in place ---as the Blessings were for the person who kept all the laws and no one could or did keep them all --

Faith in Christ brought in eternal life -----

So now anyone who receives Christ in them is crucified with Christ and they live by the Faith of Jesus who gave His life for us and to free us from the Bondage of sin and the Law ----

So anyone now still preaching that righteousness comes by way of the Law ---and there are many who do still preach this today --sadly ----are saying that Christ died in Vain ----and the New Covenant is of no affect ----