Galatians 2:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars - That is, pillars or supports in the church. The word rendered “pillars” (στύλοι stuloi) means properly firm support; then persons of influence and authority, as in a church, or that support a church as a pillar or column does an edifice. In regard to James, see the note at Galatians 1:19; compare Acts 15:13. Cephas or Peter was the most aged of the apostles, and regarded as at the head of the apostolical college. John was the beloved... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Galatians 2:9-10

Galatians 2:9-10. And when James Probably named first because he. was bishop of the church in Jerusalem; and Cephas Speaking of him at Jerusalem, he calls him by his Hebrew name; and John Hence it appears that he also was at the council, though he be not particularly named in the Acts. Who seemed to be Or, as in Galatians 2:6, who undoubtedly were; pillars The principal supporters and defenders of the gospel; perceived After they had heard the account I gave them; the grace of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Galatians 2:1-10

Jerusalem supports Paul’s gospel (2:1-10)Fourteen years after his conversion (i.e. eleven years after the visit mentioned in 1:18), Paul went to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas and Titus (2:1; see Acts 11:27-30). He did not go to seek the apostles’ approval, for he had no doubts about the truth and authority of the gospel he preached. Rather he met the apostles as one of equal standing with them, and explained to them his work among the Gentiles. He wanted complete understanding with... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Galatians 2:9

James . See Galatians 1:19 . Cephas . Compare Galatians 1:18 . John . The only mention of him in Paul's epistles, seemed . Compare verses: Galatians 2:2 , Galatians 2:6 . pillars . Greek. stulos . Elsewhere, 1 Timothy 3:15 .Revelation 3:12 ; Revelation 10:1 . Applied by the Jews to teachers of the Law. perceived . Greek. ginosko . App-132 . grace . Greek. charis . App-184 . unto . Greek. eis , App-104 . heathen . Compare Galatians 1:16 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Galatians 2:9

And when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles and they unto the circumcision.James and Cephas and John ... James the brother of John had already been slain by Herod (Acts 12), and this James was the oldest brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55f), which probably accounts for his influence in the Jerusalem church at this time. Here he was... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Galatians 2:9

Galatians 2:9. And when James, Cephas, and John, &c.— And, being sensible of the grace wherewith I am endowed, James, Cephas, and John, who were esteemed main supports of the church in Judea, embraced me and Barnabas as their associates; and agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. Heylin. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Galatians 2:9

9. James—placed first in the oldest manuscripts, even before Peter, as being bishop of Jerusalem, and so presiding at the council ( :-). He was called "the Just," from his strict adherence to the law, and so was especially popular among the Jewish party though he did not fall into their extremes; whereas Peter was somewhat estranged from them through his intercourse with the Gentile Christians. To each apostle was assigned the sphere best suited to his temperament: to James, who was tenacious... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 2:1-10

B. Interdependence with other apostles 2:1-10Paul related other events of his previous ministry, specifically his meeting with the Jerusalem church leaders. He did so to establish for his readers that although he was not dependent on anyone but God for his message and ministry, he preached the same gospel the other apostles did."While chapter 2 continues Paul’s defense of his apostolic authority and the gospel he preached, he focused not on the source of his message but on its content." [Note:... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Galatians 2:7-9

James, Peter, and John did not seek to change Paul’s message. They agreed with it. They shook hands in agreement over the gospel even though the focuses of their ministries were different. The Greek word stylos, translated "pillar," can also mean "tent-pole.""Peter was the great missionary. Hence, when Paul is speaking of the ministry to the Jews, Peter is prominent and James is not mentioned (vv7, 8). In dealing with a particular and official act of the Jerusalem church, however, James (who... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 2:1-21

His Authority recognised by the Apostles at Jerusalem and maintained in his Conflict with St. Peter1-10. It was not until upon the occasion of a subsequent visit to Jerusalem fourteen years later that St. Paul had laid his gospel before the chief authorities there, and they had approved of all that he had done and taught.Paraphrase. ’(1) It was fourteen years before I again visited Jerusalem, in company with Barnabas and Titus. (2) It was an impulse from the Spirit which led me to go and... read more

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