Galatians 2:3-5
2:3 a The Jerusalem apostles affirmed Paul’s message without qualification. They stood together on the same Good News—that God’s grace comes through faith in Christ, not through keeping the law. Clearly the Jerusalem apostles did not think that circumcision was necessary for a Gentile like Titus.Summary for Gal 2:4-5: 2:4-5 b The false Christians entered the church there (either Jerusalem or Antioch) to subvert Paul’s message that Gentiles are free from Jewish requirements such as circumcision. 2:4 c By labeling some so-called believers as false, Paul denied that they were Christians at all. They did not understand or truly receive the Good News, in contrast with the apostles in Jerusalem (2:3 d).
• were secretly brought in: Paul implies that a larger group of Jewish “Christians” opposed his preaching (cp. Acts 15:5 e) and stood behind the false teachers who entered the church.
• Requiring Gentile Christians to observe Jewish law would enslave them to regulations (see Gal 3:23–4:11 f) and deny the Good News of Christ.
2:5 g we refused to give in to them for a single moment: Titus was not circumcised (2:3 h), and Paul did not require circumcision of Gentile Christians.
• to preserve the truth: The false teaching would destroy the gospel message by adding other requirements and impeaching the effectiveness of Christ’s death and God’s grace (cp. 2:11-21 i).
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