One of the striking things in Galatians 2 is the pivotal role that Titus plays in the drama. Titus is part of Paul’s team and he goes to Jerusalem with him. Paul tells us that Titus is not compelled to be circumcised. We can skim read it as an incidental extra but actually, the point is central to the argument and the event. Read the account again more closely and it seems that actually Titus’ fate is central to the debate in Jerusalem.
The infiltration of the false brothers and Paul’s refusal to yield is linked to Titus not being forced to be circumcised. It seems less that they don’t even bother about him and more that there was serious consideration. It feels even a bit as though poor Titus is standing there whilst people are debating over whether or not he should be put through a painful, humiliating bit of surgery. Paul stands firm and the other apostles agree with him.
Titus did not need to be circumcised because he was already saved, already part of God’s people. Jesus was pierced by the nails on the cross and so Titus did not have to go through the piercing of the circumciser’s knife. Jesus was exposed to shame and suffering so that Titus did not have to be exposed to shame and a painful ritual. Jesus was treated as the outsider, the sinner so that Titus was no longer to be treated as the outsider, the sinner.
Paul saw this issue of circumcision as hugely significant. The requirement for it separated people out from God’s people. Peter’s refusal to eat with uncircumcised Gentiles meant that he treated them as unclean, as sinners, as outside of God’s covenant.
Circumcision also re-introduced hierarchy and division into the community of God’s people. At a Life Group discussion, one person commented “I wonder what Peter’s attitude would have been to eating with women. After all, they couldn’t be circumcised.” Whilst women didn’t have to be circumcised to be included within the covenant, I don’t think the observation was off mark. Remember how Martha criticised her sister Mary “You don’t belong out her with Jesus and the men, you should be helping me serving.” Remember Jesus’ response “She has chosen what is best.” Mary did belong at the meal, listening to Jesus.
Later in Galatians, Paul makes it clear that the marks of hierarchy have been removed. If circumcision separated out Jew from Gentile, male from female, Paul insists that those divisions do not exist in God’s family. We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Titus’ salvation meant he was free from sin and death, free from the obligations of the Law and free from hierarchies and prejudice.
Faithroots 