1.
Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Verse 1
Fourteen years after. In Acts 11:29,Acts 11:30, a journey of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned, and also another in Acts 15:1-4. The latter has been generally supposed by commentators to be the one here referred to.
2.
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Verse 2
By revelation; under divine guidance. He did not go to seek direction from the apostles at Jerusalem.--Them which were of reputation. James, Peter, and John, are particularly mentioned, Galatians 2:9.
3.
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Verse 3
Titus is often alluded to by Paul in his Epistles, though he is not mentioned in the Acts. He appears, like Timothy, to have been made a convert through Paul's instrumentality, and both afterwards became efficient and devoted fellow-laborers with the apostle.--Neither Titus--was compelled; that is, he did not allow him to be compelled. Paul caused Timothy to be circumcised, (Acts 16:3,) his mother being a Jewess, but he would not allow Titus to be. He thus practised according to the principles which he always enjoined, yielding to Jewish feelings so far as it was proper to do so, and resisting only when resistance was necessary in vindication of the truth. The reason why he would not allow Titus to be made a Jew is stated in the Galatians 2:4,Galatians 2:5.
4.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Verse 4
Into bondage: to the Jewish law.
5.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Verse 5
Might continue with you; might be maintained among the churches.
6.
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Verse 6
Added nothing; gave me no new light on the principles of Christianity.
7.
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Verse 7
We are to understand by this, not that such a division was officially made, giving Peter and Paul respectively the exclusive charge of the two great departments here referred to, but only that, in the course of divine providence, Paul had been led to preach more among the Gentile nations, and Peter more among the Jews. That the work of bringing the Gentiles into the kingdom of Christ was not wholly assigned to Paul, is evident from the fact that Peter was the instrument of their first admission. (Acts 10:1-48:)
8.
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9.
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.
10.
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Verse 10
The poor; the poor brethren in Judea. This charge Paul did not forget. He long afterwards raised contributions for them in Macedonia and Achaia. See 2 Corinthians 9:1-15: and note to v. 15.
11.
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Verse 11
Was come to Antioch; had come, and was residing there.
12.
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Verse 12
From James; who was at Jerusalem.--Then which were of the circumcision; that those who had come from Jerusalem.
13.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Verse 14
Walked not uprightly; did not act honestly and openly. Some suppose that Paul's address to Peter ends with this verse; others regard it as extending to the end of the chapter.
15.
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
Verse 15
By nature; by birth.
16.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
17.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
Verse 17
Is--Christ the Minister of sin? does the gospel promote and encourage sin? The apostle here distresses from his main subject of discussion to answer this objection.
18.
For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
Verse 18
If I build again, &c.; if I return again to the sins which I had abandoned. The argument would seem to be that, although the Christian depends on faith in Christ, and not on legal observances, for salvation, yet he fully renounces all sin when he unites himself to Christ, and the guilt and the responsibility are altogether his own, if he return to sin again.
19.
For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
20.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Verse 20
Christ liveth in me; Christ supplies me with that spiritual life, which both disposes and enables me to keep the divine law; thus showing that he is not the minister of sin. (Galatians 2:17.)
21.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.