[Gal 2:1-5 ESV] 1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
So Paul has been at this pursuit of sharing the gospel for a while now. Working with familiar names to Christians.
2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
God seemed to have impressed on Paul that he needed to do this task in consulting with other church leaders. I think this is worthwhile examination of one's self to make sure we are viewing ourselves and our motives correctly.
3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
There is an issue hanging over the church.
4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in--who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery--
Even people in churches have agendas sometimes. They think they are doing right but sometimes they are appropriating the Holy Spirit's job by requiring outward appearance signs as proof of Christian rule following.
5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
But thanks be to God, Paul was wise enough to see what was at stake. The gospel=freedom for each Christian to live as God calls him to.
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