Overview of Galatians 2
In chapter 2:1-9, Paul continues to emphasise that he independently and directly received the Gospel but also that it was confirmed and affirmed by the other apostles. Importantly, there was agreement on the status of Gentile believers like Titus who were welcomed and offered fellowship without any additional obligations such as circumcision.
Paul then goes on to give a bit more detail about the nature of the problem in Galatia by reference to a controversy that happened when Paul visited Jerusalem. This controversy may well relate to the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15. It seems that some Jewish Christians were refusing to sit down to eat food with Gentile Christians. This would link into some insisting that Gentiles had to be circumcised to become part of God’s people.
“Table Fellowship” is seen by Paul as at the heart of the Gospel. If we are all one in Christ Jesus, then we cannot be making distinctions about who we spend time with and share fellowship with, particularly here on the basis of race. It’s a Gospel issue because if a Jew would not eat with someone, they were saying that they weren’t part of God’s people and so were unclean. They were therefore imposing additional steps on Gentiles before they were accepted as part of God’s family.
The requirements were to do with keeping the Old Testament Law, probably particularly ceremonial aspects such as circumcision and observing festivals. Paul points out the foolishness of these things. No amount of obedience to the OT Law had been able to save him and the other Jews. So, why were they imposing standards that they could not keep on the Gentiles?
Paul emphasises that we are justified by faith because we have been united to Christ in his death. This means that we have died to our old self, even to the law and now live to Christ.
It is important for us to be aware that things that may seem like secondary issues can become Gospel issues if we use them to put up barriers to others. The only stumbling block should be the Cross itself.
We might sum up, that if Jesus is happy to invite someone to eat with him then we should be too.
Faithroots 