Galatians 2:6-21

As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance— those men added nothing to my message. Galatians 2:6 “Seemed to be important” is same word as “seemed to be leaders” in 2:2 and is a positive phrase saying these men are highly recognized. Paul slightly digresses from his point as he describes how God is not impressed with men on the outward when he says “- whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance -”. Each of these men were with the Lord in his ministry, and Paul is saying “whatever they were makes no difference to me.” Just because they “were” with the Lord does not make them right. What makes them right is if they are saying what the Lord said. Paul says in Second Corinthians: “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:16,17 Here he is saying we can not rate a persons spiritual value on merely their worldly position and appearance we must recognize that each believer is supernaturally recreated. They made that mistake once before when they considered Jesus from a worldly view and missed his entire ministry and the incredible value his life had. Then he says, “God does not judge by external appearance” which literally in the Greek says, “God does not receive the face of a man.” God is not impressed with the Jerusalem Apostles because they are the “Jerusalem Apostles.” God is looks at the he and is impressed with the truth. Remember David’s anointing when his older seven brothers were passed over by God and the prophet Samuel was told: “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam.16:7 See also: Deuteronomy 10:17; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Acts 10:34. Paul is pointing out that God is not dependent on these men. It does not matter to Paul if they walked with Jesus, because even God “does not judge by external appearance.” These men are important in the church, but even if they were if they did not teach the truth God would not recognize them, so neither would Paul. Now he returns to the main point of this verse: “Those men added nothing to my message.” “Added” is the word “prosanatithemi” and it means “to communicate, to impart.” First, he is not here saying that they did not teach him his message, although this is true. He has already pointed out that he received his message directly from Jesus. What he is saying is that when they heard Paul present his message they did not react by: 1. Adding a doctrinal point to his gospel. They left it like it was. 2. Adding a ritual or practice to his gospel. They did not require anything other than faith for salvation. POINT: The gospel that Paul had preached to the Galatians was heard by the “great men” of the Jerusalem church. When they heard it they accepted it as it was and they added no doctrine or ritual to it. Why would the Galatians allow some one to reject what the great Jerusalem apostles had accepted and add to what “the great men” in Jerusalem had refrained from tampering with?? On the contrary, they was that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. Galatians 2:7 Interestingly enough the next verse begins “On the contrary”. Not only had the apostles in Jerusalem not added doctrine or ritual to Paul’s gospel they saw it as the same gospel that Peter had been preaching to the Jews. “I had been entrusted. . .just as Peter had been.” Here is the word “pepisteumai” in the perfect tense which means it is permanent. Romans 11:29 “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” Paul had been “set apart from birth and called” to “preach him among the Gentiles” according to Galatians 1:15. This was Paul’s purpose for having been created. God was not going to change his mind. Man can not change his purpose but the grace of God will allow you multiple chances. An example of this is David is found in the life of David. One of God’s purposes for David was that the Messiah who had been promised to man in Genesis 3, then was promised would come through Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 17:15; 22:8, 12, 18) It was revealed that this Messiah would come through the tribe of Judah in Genesis 49:10. Next, David was promised that God would “raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men (or, sons of Adam), with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:12-16) 1 Chronicles says, “I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.” (1 Chron. 17:14) This is a dual prophecy which speaks of the next generation after David, but also this promise is fulfilled in Jesus. Hebrews 1:5 says of Jesus, “I will be his Father and he will be my Son” along side of a quote from Psalm 2:7 “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” The reference to punishment for sins in “When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men with floggings inflicted by men (‘sons of Adam’)” is also dual. David’s descendents would be punished by men and foreign nations, but Isaiah 53:6 says that these iniquities would be taken up by the Messiah. In fact, some translators put here in 1 Samuel instead of “when he does wrong” they put “when iniquity is laid upon him. . .” God’s purpose for David will not change but his plan may change. After this prophecy David had an affair with Bathsheba and murdered her husband in an ultimate political cover up. It was revealed by the prophet Nathan and David repented. This sin resulted in the death of four of David’s sons including the son born to Bathsheba. David had step out of God’s will. David had sinned and destroyed “plan A” for his life. But, upon repenting and coming back to God, “plan B” was put into action. There would be discipline for David, but in the end David would be stronger and grace would be greater. More importantly God’s purpose for David’s life was not lost. “Plan A” had to be scrapped, but God introduced “Plan B.” The descendent that was going to rule after David was now Solomon. What was “Plan B”? Solomon’s mother? “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah (which means, ‘loved by the LORD’).” 2 Sam. 12:24-25 The principle here is found in Paul’s teachings when he writes to the Roman Church: “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Romans 5:20 The phrase “increased all the more” is “huperperisseuo”. This is a compound word: “huper” (“hyper”) meaning “over and above” and “perisseuo” meaning “to be left over; more than enough.” The compound means not only that there is so much more that it is more than enough with some left over, but it adds to this the word “hyper”. This makes it mean that grace is over and above more than enough with so much left over it is ridiculous. Paul taught this as can be seen in Romans 3:8: “Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—’Let us do evil that good may result’? Their condemnation is deserved.” Also: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Romans 6:1 And: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Romans 6:15 Going back to Galatians 2:7, “I had been entrusted. . .just as Peter had been,” and the word “pepisteumai.” It is a technical word used in the Roman government for the responsibilities of an imperial secretary. Jews where entrusted with the Words of God: Romans 3:1, 2, “What advantage, the, is there in being a Jew. . .much n every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.” Apostles where entrusted with the secret things of God: 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” * “servants” is a term for one who administrates the affairs of another. 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God. . .” Paul was entrusted with the gospel: 1 Timothy 1:11, “. . .the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” Titus 1:2,3, “A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.” Timothy was given a trust to guard: 1 Timothy 6:20, “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.” 2 Timothy 1:14, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” Pastors have been given a trust: Titus 1:7, “Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless.” 1 Peter 5:2,3, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers. . .not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” All believers are entrusted with guarding and advancing the faith: Jude 3, “I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.” We all have been entrusted by God with the responsibility of guarding the truth of the gospel just like a Roman secretary of state or secretary of defense was entrusted by the Senate and the Emperor to fulfill their responsibilities. “They saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.” Galatians 2:7, The men of repute in Jerusalem placed Paul and Peter on the same level. “For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles.” Galatians 2:8 The idea here is that God was working “for” Peter and “for” Paul as both fulfilled the responsibilities that they had been entrusted with. The God who sent them with a mission was now working for them so that they might find success in their ministries. “James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.” Galatians 2:9

James, Pastor of Jerusalem Church (48-66 AD)
James was the oldest of Jesus’ brothers born after him. Jesus’ brothers did not accept Jesus ministry during his life (John 7:5) James’ quick conversion after Jesus’ resurrection must have been unexpected by those who new James’ attitude toward his brother’s claims. Jesus appeared to James after his resurrection according to 1 Corinthians 15:7. Since James had seen Jesus after the resurrection he was placed in a selective group of those apostles who had seen the risen Lord. (1 Cor. 9:1) As the twelve apostles traveled and persecution scattered the believers James remained in Jerusalem. This combined with the fact that he was known to be a very righteous man even by the Pharisees and the Sadducees placed him in the leadership position. According to 1 Cor. 9:5 he was married. According to Josephus the high priest Ananus (a Sadducee) brought accusations against James. Ananus asked James to go up to the highest parts of the temple during the Passover feast so all the visitors and worshippers could see and hear him. James was to tell the people not to be deceived and believe that Jesus was the Messiah. When the day came and James was taken to the pinnacle he instead announced that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of Man at the right hand of God and the end time judge. James was pushed off the temple to the ground but he did not die with the fall so the Jews started to throw stones at him. While James lay praying one of them took a club used to wash clothes and beat his brains out. Symeon, the son of Clopas and cousin to James and Jesus, took over as the pastor in Jerusalem until the time of Trajen in 107 AD. He was the pastor from 66-107 AD.

The listing of the names in this order “James, Peter and John” is because this was a reference to the Jerusalem council where James, the brother of the Lord, presided. James was the pastor of the church of Jerusalem. These three men were rightfully considered to be pillars of the church in Jerusalem. “Pillars” is from the Greek word “stulos” which is used to describe “pillars or columns of buildings.” Here it is obviously a metaphor for the universal and spiritual structure called the church. “Reputed” simply means they were honored and recognized as important leaders by Paul and the Jerusalem believers. “The right hand of fellowship” is a reference to an understanding of common partnership. This is a clear sign that these two things did not happen: The two groups (Paul’s and James’) were going to be preaching two different gospels. One for the Jews and one for the Gentiles. One of the groups compromised and changed their message to adapt to the other’s message so that they would both be the same. The use of the phrase “right hand” and “fellowship” means there was no conflict and there was no compromise. Both groups realized and agreed that Paul’s gospel was Peter’s gospel. The church in Antioch was preaching the same thing as the church in Jerusalem. The result of the Jerusalem council was: Two different groups of people would be given the same message. Paul was “recognized” as being an apostle at the same level that James, Peter and John were apostles. “They recognized the grace given me.” Romans 12:3, “By the grace given me I say to every one of you” Romans 15:15, “I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, “For I am the least of the apostles an do not even deserve to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” Luke 19: 1-27, Parable of the Ten Minas that was told in Zacchaeus’ house. (also, Matthew 25:14-30) Ephesians 3:7, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to make plain to everyone the administration of the mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.” Ephesians 4:7, “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says, “When he ascended on high he led captive in his train and gave gifts to men.” This verse is taken from Psalm 68. Psalm 68 is a processional liturgy for Israel’s God. God is seen returning to his people as the triumphant king. Verses 1-18 refer to God’s march from Mount Sinai to Mount Zion. “When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts from men even from the rebellious, that you, O Lord God, might dwell there.” Psalm 68:18 a) Rotherham’s translation: “Thou hast ascended on high Thou hast led in procession a body of captives. Thou hast received gifts consisting of men, Yea, even the rebellious That Yah Elohim (Immanuel) might settle down to rest.” b) “train” is the procession c) “gifts” are spoils d) O Lord God” is “Immanuel” God with us. e) “you might dwell there” is a picture that the rebellious have been so subdued that God can live among them.” Colossians 2:15, “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them (procession, train) triumphing (celebrating) over them.” 2 Corinthians 2:14, “Always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.” “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” Galatians 2:10 “Remember” is from the word “mnemoneuo”. The tense and mood make it mean “continue to remember.” Paul had been caring for the poor through out his ministry to the Gentiles. Paul had brought financial relief to Jerusalem believers in Acts 11:27-30. It was a time of famine in the land of Judea but the Christians where already under persecution so it made it doubly difficult for them. The word “eager” is the word “espoudasa” from “spoudazw”. This means: 1) he was willing to do it and 2) he was willing to do it eagerly but 3) it also means he was going to make a diligent effort to see it got done. So, the use of this word shows that Paul had in mind a previous activity or practice. Paul had made the matter of remembering the poor his business. This request was part of the acceptance of Paul and his gospel. Remembering the poor was something they expected him to do. Paul did not need to teach the Law of Moses, practice circumcision, or abstain from eating certain food, but they did expect him to continue to remember the poor among the Gentiles. Paul received the “right hand of fellowship” and was recognized as an apostle with the understanding that he continue to remember the poor Gentiles. Paul has once again shown the Judaizers and the Galatians that not only where the Jerusalem leaders in agreement with him, but that he was already doing what they required with out him being told or instructed. Paul stands both: 1) In agreement with the Jerusalem apostles 2) Independent of the Jerusalem apostles In the next verse Paul begins to add to this list a third point. Paul stands not only in agreement and independent of them, he is: 3) In authority over them. Concerning Giving and the Poor In the sermon on the mount Jesus used three things as examples of righteous deeds done by people: 1) Giving to the Needy (Mt. 6:1-4) 2) Prayer (Mt. 6:5-15) 3) Fasting (Mt. 6:16-18) Jesus said, “So when you give to the needy, . . .” He did not say “If you give to the needy. . .” Jesus was himself a righteous man who gave often to the poor as can be assumed from this verse: “Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. Since Judas had charge of the money some thought Jesus was telling him to but what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor.” (John 13:27-29) Paul and collecting money 53 AD -Paul went to Ephesus to begin his third journey. 53-55 -Paul stayed in Ephesus for three years spring -Paul writes 1 Corinthians 55 fall -Paul writes 2 Corinthians 56 spring -Paul travels up through Macedonia 57 spring -Paul visits Corinth and writes to the Romans 57 later -Paul retraces path back through Macedonia and down to Ephesus to say good-bye, then heads for Jerusalem with the offering for the poor. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 written from Ephesus during Paul’s third year there in 55 AD: “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, written from Macedonia in the fall of 55: “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. . .” Romans 15:23-28 written from Corinth in 57 AD before Paul returned through Macedonia and then stopped by Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem with the offering: “I have been longing for many years to see you. I plan to do so when I go to Spain, I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jew’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jew to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way.” Acts 20:33-35, Paul’s words to the Ephesian leaders on his way to Jerusalem with the offering for the poor believers: “You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Paul made tents in Corinth Acts 18:2-4 “Surely you remember, brother, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” 1 Thessalonians 2:9 “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brother, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourself know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ ” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10 “Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and nee3ded something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.” 2 Corinthians 11:7-10 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.” 2 Corinthians 2:17 “Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2 “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a bur den to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Giving is a voluntary act of grace 1 Corinthians 16:3 2 Corinthians 8:6 Giving is an act of fellowship Romans 13:26 Giving is an act of ministry 2 Corinthians 8:4 2 Corinthians 9:1 Giving is a payment of a spiritual debt (appreciation) Romans 15:27 Giving demonstrates the genuine Christian faith 2 Corinthians 9:12 Giving is a bond of fellowship and love and a sign of unity

Was Jesus poor?
Jesus was born to poor parents. Joseph was preparing and getting ready to take Mary be his wife. Obviously, he was not ready or else he would have taken her into his home already. He would have been building a business, preparing a home and establishing financial security. Then Mary told him what the angel had said. Joseph and Mary brought the offering for purification to the temple forty days after Jesus’ birth. They brought “what is said in the Law of the Lord: ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’ ” (Lk 2:4) This comes from Lev. 12:6, 8 where it says, “When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering. . .If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons.” When Jesus was two years old the wise men, or priest-sages, from the East arrived. They “opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” (Matt.2:11) This kind of gift would have greatly enriched the family. Financial need is never again seen in Jesus life. In fact, quiet the opposite is seen: The family lives in foreign Egypt for time. Joseph returns to Bethlehem and opens a carpentry business. Jesus works as a carpenter until he is thirty years old. He is known as both the carpenter’s son and the carpenter. Joseph appears to have died and Jesus, the oldest son, took over the family business and provided for his brothers, sisters and his mother. At the age of thirty Jesus leaves the carpenter shop and never returned. Jesus continued financial responsibility for his mother through out his ministry until he gave the responsibility to John at the cross. Jesus has twelve men traveling with him. Jesus teaches extensively on financial responsibility and money management. He uses them as examples of stewardship in the kingdom of God. Jesus had a money bag. Judas, the treasurer with the money bag, stole from the ministry. (Jn. 12:6) Jesus did not ask for financial support or take offerings. There where woman giving money to help support the ministry (Luke 8:3) The disciples always had food, owned homes, had time for rest, vacations. Judas went to betray Jesus and the others thought he went to give money. Jesus’ garment was too valuable to cut up. (John 19:23) “He became poor” and “his poverty” (2 Cor.8:9) is a reference to his sacrifice, not his financial condition during his ministry. The Law of Moses promised physical blessings to the man who obeyed.