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Pathways Through Paul, Vol 2
Daily Devotional
January 11
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Today's Pathway:
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Galatians 2:6-10
- 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:
- 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.
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In today's passage Paul resumes writing about his interaction with the apostles in Jerusalem. In verse 6, when he mentions those "who seem to be somewhat", he is referring to the apostles. This statement should not in any way be considered to be critical or disrespectful. He calls them this because of their positions of leadership in the Jerusalem church. He then adds that it doesn't matter to him who these men were, because God is not a respecter of persons, so he is not going to be one either. Sometimes men in ministry can see themselves as being something special simply because of the title that they have, or on the flip side, Christians can elevate a teacher because of the degrees he possesses or the influential position he holds. We all need to be reminded that God is not influenced by someone's title or talent. All of us are evaluated based on what we do for Him. In Paul's case, he knew what the doctrine was that the Lord had called him to preach, and had the other apostles told him that he was incorrect he would not have changed the message simply because they said for him to do so. At the end of verse 6 he writes that during his meeting with the apostles he learned nothing new from them. They did not add or subtract anything from his message, nor did they correct him at all.
Rather than correct him, the other apostles recognized that God had called Paul to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He had exactly the same message and authority that Peter did; the only difference being that Peter's primary focus was on the Jews. Just as Peter was recognized as being a powerful preacher to the Jews, so Paul was recognized as a mighty preacher to the Gentiles. Peter, James, and John, who were seen as the leaders ("pillars") of the apostles, saw that God had graciously saved, called, and empowered Paul, and shook hands with him and Barnabas in demonstration of their unity in faith, message, and ministry. C. S,. Lovett wrote,
"What a moment in Gospel history! James, Peter, John, and Paul stand with hands clasped in official fellowship. The other apostles give full sanction to Paul’s ministry, acknowledging his commission, received by revelation, to be identical with the one they received from Jesus in Person."
Paul tells this story to emphasize that his message was exactly the same as the one being taught by Peter, James, and John.
Paul mentions in verse 10 that there was one stipulation which the apostles in Jerusalem asked him to fulfill. They told him to be willing to minister to the poor people that he encountered. The verb tense used here, plus Paul's comments at the end of verse 10, indicate that this was something that Paul and Barnabas were already doing, and Peter and the others are simply encouraging them to continue that practice. Acts 11:29-30 gives an example of this. When the church in Antioch heard of the financial problems being faced by the Judean churches,
"the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."
The word "poor" carries the idea of being a beggar, and speaks of someone who is unable to meet his basic needs and thus is forced to depend on others to provide for him. For a Christian to help these folks is not only practical, but it is a spiritual obligation, because to forsake that responsibility is to disobey God's Word. John wrote,
"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (I John 3:17-18).
If we don't care about someone's material needs, why should they think that we care about their spiritual needs?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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