Galatians 2:1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me. NHEB
Most people think that Paul converted within a year or two of the resurrection. It isn’t quite clear here as to whether he is talking about fourteen years after conversion or fourteen years after the three year visit. Either way, Galatians was written before Acts.
Joseph of Cyprus, called Barnabas (meaning “son of encouragement”) by the apostles was the first to give up his property and supported the former persecutor Paul in front of the apostles. Titus doesn’t appear in Acts but we know from Paul’s letter to him that he is Paul’s representative in Crete while Paul is in prison in Rome.
Paul’s primary motive is that God told him to go but it is also an opportunity for Paul to talk to the elders about what he is preaching. Titus, as someone who has become a Christian without becoming a Jew first, is a perfect example of the people Paul is preaching to.
Acts 11:17 “If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we first believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, why, who was I to be able to thwart God?“ 18 This statement of Peter’s silenced his opponents. They extolled the goodness of God, and said, “So, then, to the Gentiles also God has given the repentance which leads to Life.“ 19 Those, however, who had been driven in various directions by the persecution which broke out on account of Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, delivering the Message to none but Jews. 20 But some of them were Cyprians and Cyrenaeans, who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks also and told them the Good News concerning the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and there were a vast number who believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When tidings of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas as far as Antioch. 23 On getting there he was delighted to see the grace which God had bestowed; and he encouraged them all to remain, with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith; and the number of believers in the Lord greatly increased. 25 Then Barnabas paid a visit to Tarsus to try to find Saul. 26 He succeeded, and brought him to Antioch; and for a whole year they attended the meetings of the Church, and taught a large number of people. And it was in Antioch that the disciples first received the name of ‘Christians.’ 27 At that time certain Prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, 28 one of whom, named Agabus, being instructed by the Spirit, publicly predicted the speedy coming of a great famine throughout the world. (It came in the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the disciples decided to send relief, every one in proportion to his means, to the brethren living in Judaea. 30 This they did, forwarding their contributions to the Elders by Barnabas and Saul. Weymouth
These verses, which immediately follow the story about Peter and Cornelius, show Christians sharing Christ with the Gentles (or Greeks in some translations) with similar results between them. The church sends Barnabas who takes a look around then goes to find Paul and bring him back toAntioch where they teach for a year.
A prophet is someone who speaks for God – not foretelling but more in the nature of forth telling. In 1Corinthians, chapter 4 Paul describes a prophet as someone who speaks to people for exhortation, edification and comfort. Another way to look at it is that prophecy is more related to particulars, i.e., the application of Truth to people and situations. Aquestion that arises is how do we evaluate a prophet? The Old Testament standard to wait and see if it comes true and if not, then don’t believe that prophet any more. John tells us to test the spirits to see whether they are of God or not (1John 4:1). Paul instructs us at the end of 1Thessalonians to examine everything and hold on to what is good.
Galatians 2: 2 I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. BSB
Paul doesn’t want to contradict or disagree with the elders which might seem a little unusual since he begins by saying his preaching is right and now we find him seeking re-assurance. This notion of verification has likely grown in importance as his ministry is beginning to gain some traction with the Gentiles. As such, now would be a good time to make doubly sure that Jews don’t get saved in a different way than Gentiles.
The concern about being in vain is a clue to Paul’s heart. The private conversation in Galatians 2:2 will be a public conversation in Acts 15
Galatians 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. NET
Circumcision, as we know it today, is a physical act that is a regularly occurring event to boys as a medical or hygiene issue but the term as used here goes far beyond that. Circumcision, in the Jewish tradition, is a mark of the covenant as defined by the law. It is a commitment to a way of life and as a result, a sign of obedience to all of the commands of the Old Testament.
Galatians 2:4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage, WEB
These are the false teachers. False brethren implies they are part of the church which makes them especially dangerous. Bondage refers to bondage to the law – as Christian we are free from the law but these saboteurs are trying to restore reliance on the law for salvation.