Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14
Chapter 2
Paul and the Other Apostles
After fourteen years, I once again traveled to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and Titus joined us too.After a revelation, I went to share the gospel I am preaching to the Gentiles. I had a private meeting with the leaders to ensure I was not working or had not worked in the wrong way.
They understood that I had been trusted to deliver the Good News to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been trusted to deliver it to the circumcised.
Just as God made Peter the apostle of the Jews, he made me the apostle for the Gentiles.
James, Cephas, and John acknowledged the grace God gave me. Those men, regarded as the pillars of the Church, extended their hand to Barnabas and me as a sign of fellowship; we would go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.
We should only remember the poor among them. I have made sure to do this.
Paul Confronts Peter
Later, when Cephas came to Antioch, I confronted him because he deserved to be blamed.
Before some of James’ followers arrived, he used to dine with the Gentiles. But once they arrived, he withdrew and no longer mingled with them out of fear of the Jewish group.
The rest of the Jews went along with him in this pretense, and even Barnabas was part of this insincerity.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas publicly: If you, a Jew, are living like a Gentile, and not like a Jew, why do you now compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?
Commentaries
Paul and the Other Apostles.
The apostle clarifies that he did not go to Jerusalem to give an account or seek approval, but “following a revelation” (2), alluding to the Holy Spirit, whom he always considered the true protagonist of all his apostolic decisions. And there, in the midst of the assembly, he speaks about his ministry among the Gentiles: he does not require circumcision or compliance with the law from those who convert. The leaders in Jerusalem not only approved his actions but also confirmed his authority as an apostle to the Gentiles, just as they confirmed Peter’s authority among the Jews.
Paul Confronts Peter.
The so-called “Antioch incident” reveals the failure of the agreement made in Jerusalem, which led to decisions affecting both Jewish-Christian and pagan-Christian communities. Still, no one seemed to consider the needs of mixed communities. Peter, whether to maintain peace or under pressure from extremists, stopped visiting the pagan-Christian communities. Since Peter was an authority figure, his actions did not go unnoticed and caused confusion, resulting in a break in fellowship between the two groups. Paul recognized the danger, reacted, and openly confronted Peter in front of everyone. The core issue was the truth of the Gospel: salvation is not based on Jewish law or any other law, but comes through faith, not works.