RESILIENCE IN THE TRUTH
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Father, as I read your Word today, enable me to be enthralled once again by the wonder of the gospel.
Read GALATIANS 2:1–10
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Paul Accepted by the Apostles
2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[a] just as Peter had been to the circumcised.[b] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Cephas[c] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
Footnotes
- Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
- Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
- Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What was the most recent conflict in your church? How was it resolved?
‘The bane of Paul’s life and ministry was the insidious activity of false teachers.’1 After 14 years away from Jerusalem (with the exception of a 15-day visit),2 Paul now returns there. The key issue at hand is the suggestion that he was teaching a different message from Peter. To counter this allegation, he details those who accompanied him on his second trip to Jerusalem— Barnabas the Jew, along with Titus the uncircumcised Greek. The issue at hand regards compulsion. I am confident that Paul would have no issue with a gentile convert adopting some of the Jewish practices. However, we’ll see vehement arguments against those who were advocating the necessity of such practices to attain real Christian status.
This meeting in Jerusalem would no doubt have been a tense occasion as the apostles in Jerusalem were presented with Paul’s gentile companion. I’m sure many of you have been in challenging meetings. Imagine being present at the meeting of Paul, James, John, and Peter. From Paul’s description, it seems to have been a meeting full of grace.
The positive outcome of the discussion was that the right hand of fellowship was given. They recognized, however, that although they had been entrusted with the same gospel, they had been allocated different spheres in which to preach it. Having established thatthe style and emphasis of Paul’s ministry was distinctive and for a particular audience, Paul lets us in on the action point that emerged from the meeting. After agreeing the ministries to which each was called, all that was asked of Paul was a remembrance of the poor. Oh, that more tense church meetings would conclude with the rallying call to serve the least and the lost!
Apply
What does the Lord require of you today? Take a moment to read Micah 6:8.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, whatever you call me to as a part of your church, make me ready and give me a heart that is eager to serve.
1 John Stott, Only One Way (IVP, 1974), 39 2 Gal 1:18
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.