Galatians 2:6-10 (WEL) But those who are recognized to be someone important—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me—God does not regard anybody’s person—those, I say, who are recognized as important, added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they saw that the Gospel to the uncircumcision was committed to me as the Gospel to the circumcision was committed to Peter. 8 For he who worked the apostleship mightily through Peter to the circumcision was the same who worked mightily through me to the Gentiles. 9 Also, when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, recognized the grace that was given to me. They gave Barnabas and me the right hands of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision. 10 The only thing they asked was that we would remember the poor, which was the same thing I also was eager to do.
V6 But those who are recognized to be someone important—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me—God does not regard anybody’s person—those, I say, who are recognized as important, added nothing to my message.
The Greek word recognized is (G1380) δοκέω) dokeō, which means (Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (Louw & Nida)) “to regard something as presumably true, but without particular certainty – to suppose, to presume, to assume, to imagine, to believe, to think.”
Compare Galatians 6:3-5, so let us be careful. The Apostles of Jesus Christ are recognized by Jesus Himself. Paul is saying truth is not dependent on someone’s status, education, heritage, etc.
The Apostles and elders in the Great Jerusalem council (Acts 15) knew Paul’s message of the Gospel and agreed that it was the same as theirs.
V7 On the contrary, they saw that the Gospel to the uncircumcision was committed to me as the Gospel to the circumcision was committed to Peter.
Peter was commissioned to mainly minister to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15 and Acts 22:21). Peter gave the first message of the Gospel to the Jews in Acts 2:14 and following, to the Samaritans in Acts 8:14 (though the preacher was Philip, the evangelist/deacon, but Peter authenticated it), and to the Gentiles in Acts 10 to Cornelius.
V8 For he who worked the apostleship mightily through Peter to the circumcision was the same who worked mightily through me to the Gentiles.
The council and the believers recognized that Peter and Paul preached the same Gospel, Christian way of life, rules, worldview, etc. The Holy Spirit’s power was seen in both in similar ways because Peter and Paul have been commissioned as Apostles.
V9 Also, when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, recognized the grace that was given to me. They gave Barnabas and me the right hands of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcision.
The same was for the commissioning and recognition by the Jerusalem church of the ministry of Paul and blessed him for it. Note that it is not in natural gifts but in the graces from the Holy Spirit who gives the strength and wisdom for the mission.
V10 The only thing they asked was that we would remember the poor, which was the same thing I also was eager to do.
The only qualifier was to remember the poor in Jerusalem, which Paul was in full agreement with. Those believers were poor because of the ban and shunning by the Jewish religious leaders.
Compare John 15:18-23.
We learn:
- Paul was recognized as an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the other Apostles.
- Paul’s commission was mainly to the Gentiles as Peter’s was mainly to the Jews.
Questions:
- How do you know who is a true pastor or church worker (in alignment with the qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7) and Titus 1:7-9 in private and public)?
- If you are a pastor or church worker, are you in alignment with God’s qualifications?