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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Galatians 2:1-10

It should seem, by the account Paul gives of himself in this chapter, that, from the very first preaching and planting of Christianity, there was a difference of apprehension between those Christians who had first been Jews and those who had first been Gentiles. Many of those who had first been Jews retained a regard to the ceremonial law, and strove to keep up the reputation of that; but those who had first been Gentiles had no regard to the law of Moses, but took pure Christianity as... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Galatians 2:1-10

2:1-10 Fourteen years afterwards I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and I took Titus with me too. It was in consequence of a direct message from God that I went up; and I placed before them the gospel that I am accustomed to preach among the Gentiles. because I did not want to think that the work which I was trying to do, and which I had done, was going to be frustrated. This I did in private conference with those whose reputations stood high in the Church. But not even Titus, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John ,.... These are the persons all along designed, though not till now named. James was the brother of our Lord, the son of Alphaeus, who wrote the epistle that goes by his name, made that famous speech in the synod at Jerusalem, Acts 15:13 , presided in that church, was a man of great holiness, and much esteemed of by the saints, and had a good report of them that were without. Cephas is Simon Peter. This name was given him by Christ, John 1:42 and in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 2:9

James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars - Οἱ δοκουντες στυλοι ειναι· Who were known to be very eminent, and acknowledged as chief men among the apostles. See the note on Luke 8:18 , for the meaning of the verb δοκειν , and see before on Galatians 2:6 ; (note). Among the Jews, persons of great eminence and importance are represented as pillars and foundations of the world. So Abraham is said to be העולם עמוד ammud heolam , "the pillar of the universe; for by him to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Galatians 2:9

Verse 9 9.And when they perceived the grace. They who treated with contempt the grace of God, by which the most eminent apostles had been led to admire and reverence Paul, are charged with hateful and proud disdain. If they should allege that they were ignorant of that which the apostles knew from the beginning, the hypocritical pretense was not to be endured. This admonishes us to yield to the grace of God, wherever it is perceived, unless we choose to contend with the Holy Spirit, whose will... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 2:1-10

The apostolic conference. Fourteen years elapsed between the first and second visits of Paul as apostle to Jerusalem. During this interval of severe work he had experienced the opposition of the Judaizers. He deemed it advisable, therefore, and was also impelled by the Spirit, to go up to have a conference with the apostles about the whole policy to be pursued in the Gentile mission. In the verses before us he relates what took place in connection with the conference. And here we learn— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 2:1-10

Period of third visit to Jerusalem. Three preliminary points are mentioned. I. HE DID NOT YIELD ON THE QUESTION OF LIBERTY . 1 . No compulsion was used in the case of Titus. "But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised." This was a good ease for trying the question of liberty. Timothy, who was after this circumcised in accommodation to Jewish feeling, was of hail-Jewish extraction. Titus was of pure Gentile extraction. Was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 2:1-21

The chapter falls into two sections. Of these, viewed in their leading purport, the first ( Acts 15:1-10 ) exhibits the recognition formally accorded to St. Paul's gospel and work by the highest authorities of the Church of the circumcision; the second ( Acts 15:11-21 ) displays in a very stalking light the independence and co-ordinateness of his position when standing face to face with the very chiefest of the apostles. But while these seem to be their leading objects, we find the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 2:6-9

The apostle takes counsel with the other apostles on perfectly equal terms. He is still asserting his apostolic independence. I. HIS REBUKE OF THOSE WHO LEANED UPON AUTHORITY . "Those high in reputation; whatsoever they were, it maketh no difference to me: God respecteth no man's person." The apostle does not mean to disparage either the reputation or the authority of the other apostles. It was not his interest to do so, because it was important for him to show that he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Galatians 2:9

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me ( καὶ γνόντες τὴν χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι ἰάκωβος καὶ κηφᾶς καὶ ἰωάννης οἱ δοκοῦντες στύλοι εἶναι ); and perceiving of a certainty the grace that was given unto me , James and Cephas and John , those reputed to be pillars ( gave ) . This is the order in which the words stand in the Greek, in which the participle γνόντες ("perceiving of a certainty") stands... read more

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