Galatians 2:6-10 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it make no matter to me: God accepted no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
‘For they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me.’ The apostles are the ones referred to. They had nothing to add to Paul’s gospel (Christ’s gospel).
‘But contrariwise’ – the apostles did not wish to alter Paul’s plans or to introduce any new doctrine for the Gentiles, or any new method of reaching them. They saw plainly that his doctrine was the same as their own and came from the same source. They gave him their blessing (2:7-10).
‘Gospel of the uncircumcision’ – the gospel is called this because of its special adaptation to Gentiles of that day. The same gospel is called the gospel of circumcision because of its particular adaptation to Jews. Jews were then allowed certain old Mosaic practices not imposed upon Gentiles (Acts 15:1-41).
‘Effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.’ This simply means that the signs of an apostle were evident in both Peter and Paul (2Cor. 12:12). One worked miracles among the Jews and the other among the Jews and the other among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12).
‘James’ – the half-brother of Jesus Christ (1:19). ‘Cephas’ – Aramaic for stone, this was Peter (John 1:42; 1Cor. 1:12).
‘John’ – the beloved apostle. This is the only mention of John in Paul’s epistles.
‘Seemed to be pillars’ – they were prominent among the apostles.
‘Pillars’ [Greek: stulos] It was a word used by Jews of teachers of the law and persons of great importance and achievement.
‘Right hands of fellowship’ – this was a mark of confidence, friendship, and fellowship among Jews.
‘Circumcision’ – The Jews (2:7; Php. -3:2).
‘Poor’ – this refers to the poor of Judea who were forsaken by friends, cast out by relatives, refused privileges of trade, and thrown upon the world as outcasts (2 Cor. 8-9).
Living the Word 