Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me… I. THE RECOGNITION WHICH PAUL RECEIVED FROM THE CHURCH WAS DISCERNING. 1. They saw that to him was entrusted the gospel which was to be preached to the Gentiles. The gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to Paul. The gospel is a Divine deposit or treasure. 2. The Church saw that the power which contributed to the success of the one apostle was effectual also in the other. In Paul as well as Peter God had wrought effectually. They discerned the triumphs of the gospel in both instances. 3. The Church recognized the religion of Paul to be a religion of love. They perceived the grace given unto him. II. THE RECOGNITION PAUL RECEIVED WAS GIVEN IN SPITE OF CERTAIN DIFFERENCES THAT HAD SEPARATED HIM FROM THE CHURCH IN JERUSELEM IN THE PAST. 1. Many of them had been familiar with the Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. Paul had not. Yet they now saw that God was no respecter of persons, "but in every nation, he that feareth Him and worketh righteousness, is accepted of Him." 2. There was a difference between them in respect to gifts. 3. There was also a difference as to position. Many of them were of acknowledged reputation. Paul was not regarded as an authority in the Churches of Judaea. Yet in spite of these differences there was a full recognition of his apostolic character and office. III. THE RECOGNITION WAS COMPLETE AND HEARTY. 1. There was no reservation as to its extent. They admitted the whole truth Paul declared. They addressed no communication to him, but fully embraced the doctrines he enunciated. 2. It was cordial. They gave to Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. "What a moment must that have been! What a blessed working of the Holy Ghost!" IV. IN RECEIVING THIS RECOGNITION, PAUL WAS ANXIOUS TO MANIFEST HIS HIGH ESTIMATE OF THEIR BROTHERLY KINDNESS. They had nothing new to communicate concerning doctrine, but they desired him to remember the poor, and this request he gladly complied with. He here shows his fraternal co-operation with the other apostles, and .his love for Jewish Christians. He could not comply with the demands of the false brethren, but it was from no lack of charity. Immediately after writing this Epistle, he made a tour, gathering the alms of the Greek Churches for the saints at Jerusalem. Lessons: 1. Unity in the Christian Church has its foundation in Christ. 2. Christian unity is the product of the Holy Spirit. 3. Its genuineness is manifest by acts of beneficence. (R. Nicholls.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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