Agreement Reached
AGREEMENT REACHED
GALATIANS 2:6-10
The leaders’ concern for evangelism did not blind them to their social responsibilities.
Paul received approval from the church leaders in Jerusalem, who endorsed his commission as apostle to the Gentiles—not that he placed much importance on that approval, hence his rather ironical allusions to the pillar apostles of 2:9, although he does grant that they (Peter, in particular) were those of high reputation, on account of their membership of the original apostolic band.
The certificate of approval he received was then all the more reason for the Galatians’ refusal to listen to the lies which the Judaizers were putting out. Paul’s apostleship bore all the marks of a God-given authority; Peter and the others had accepted it; a division of missionary territory had been agreed to, and Galatia came within the province of Paul, as one “entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised”, and finally there had been a handshake all round, so sealing the agreement (2:9).
The only insistence which the Jerusalem leaders required was a matter on which Paul had no qualms (2:10), in fact he welcomed every opportunity to do the very thing which they were keen to press on him—to accept some measure of financial responsibility for the poverty-stricken Jewish believers at Jerusalem. Paul remained faithful to this vow right up to the end: see 1 Corinthians 16:1ff.; 2 Corinthians chapters 8–9; Romans 15:25ff.; Acts 24:17. He saw in this “collection for the saints” an admirable way of cementing Jewish and Gentile elements in the churches.
“There are varieties of service, but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12:5). It is a happy Christian who has found their niche and serves the Lord faithfully and who recognizes the gifts and opportunities which God grants to others.