FollowA Walk Through Galatians (Part 3)
(Part 3: Chapter 2 verses 1-10)
© 2026 by Lee Tankersley
Introduction:
Last time we were here, Paul had been defending his authority as an apostle against Judaizers. They had been going behind Paul and his companions on his first mission. They had tried to undermine what he had originally taught the Galatian believers. Now, in the next 10 verses he is going to close the book on this part of his story.
Paul reminded the Galatian believers of who he was and what he was doing before he met Jesus. He told how he encountered Jesus, and believed who Jesus said he was and the Gospel (Good News.) Then he explained who he became afterward, and the training he had received. Paul fervently defended his apostleship, for the sake of the believers in Galatia and anyone else who might hear the Good News. The Good News that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for sins: theirs, yours, and mine. He took the hit for us: He rescued them and us from being led by the false teaching and misguiding of whatever faith we had believed before.
The legalism that was being pushed was not from God, and those who preach legalism also are not from God. I will be blunt because I guess someone has to be, if you are trusting in anything other than what Jesus has done at the Cross then you are not a Christian. I’m not trying to be mean, it just needs to be said. I’m stoked that you are here and hope if you have not fully trusted in Christ that you will allow yourself to set aside your own understanding and open up yourself to humility and realize what is at stake. As we are told in Romans 3:23, we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
In Romans 3:22, Paul tells us 22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. And, Paul says, in Romans 5:6, “6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.“
Romans 5:8 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Remember to remind yourself if you are ever uncertain of the love God has for you, that he loved you before you ever turned to him.
Let’s Look at Galatians 2:1-10
I’m reading from the NLT, if you want to grab your Bible and turn to Galatians 2:1-10 you can follow along with whatever translation is your preferred choice. I also would like to give my sources credit they deserve, The NLT Life Application Study bible, A Layman’s Look at the Epistle to the Galatian Churches, and Bibleref app. Thank you.
(Read Galatians 2:1-10)
Galatians 2:1-10 1 Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. 2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing.
3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile. 4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.
6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. 8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles.
9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. 10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do.
(Reading Galatians 2:1)
1 Then fourteen years later I went back to Jerusalem again, this time with Barnabas; and Titus came along, too. Fourteen years have gone by since he was last in Jerusalem which we see in Acts 9:26-30 where he was seen by Barnabas and introduced to Peter, and James. He was only there for 15 days before he was sent away due to an attempt to murder him.
We can see that in Acts 11:25-26 that Barnabas went to look for Paul (at the time still called Saul) in Tarsus and then he brought him to Antioch where he was serving. Barnabas didn’t try leading by himself, but found a coworker in Paul. Those in ministry can look at Barnabas as an example, he found someone to work alongside him, their partnership brought accountability, fellowship, support, and encouragement. In all honesty we are all in this together. Each one of us brings something to the table and are just as important as any other.
We can see in 1 Corinthians 12:7 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. And we are all part of the same body united in Christ. We can see this and some of the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:27-28
27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.
This also can be seen in Romans 12:4-8 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. 6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
I will recommend a book, if you’ll allow me. If you already haven’t read it, or even if you think you are not in such a position and it doesn’t apply to you and it’s not needed, you probably should read it: It’s A Layman’s Look at The Work of the Shepherd by C. O. Bishop.
(Yes, that is Chet.)
(Galatians 2:2-3)
2 I went there because God revealed to me that I should go. While I was there I met privately with those considered to be leaders of the church and shared with them the message I had been preaching to the Gentiles. I wanted to make sure that we were in agreement, for fear that all my efforts had been wasted and I was running the race for nothing. 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.
We saw that Barnabas went and found Paul in Tarsus and somewhere during that fourteen years, Paul was joined by Titus, too. It is not exactly mentioned when they joined together. He must have been a part of the “local believers” that accompanied them, as mentioned in Acts 15: 2, but Titus’ role was no less important. God revealed to Paul that he should return to Jerusalem and he finally met with the Leaders there. This encounter is shown in Acts 15.
This important meeting acknowledged the apostles’ approval of Paul’s preaching. Paul sought to make sure he was in agreement with the leaders in Jerusalem after a confrontation with the Judaizers in Antioch, who were teaching that “unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” He wanted to be sure that his teaching aligned with what they also had been taught.
Sometimes we can avoid the hard conversations for fear of disagreement or fearing that arguments may take place. Instead, we should openly share our plans and actions with one another. Good communication will help us understand each other, reduce gossip and create unity within the church. Paul preached what Jesus gave to him to say: His account of this showed that what he was taught was the same message the other apostles preached.
Paul’s message to both Jews and Gentiles was that God offered salvation to all people regardless of race, sex, education, background or whatever else, and that Jesus already did it all at the Cross. Anyone who puts their trust in Christ will be saved. In Romans 10:8-11 we see this truth:
“8 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
(Galatians 2:4-5)
4 Even that question came up only because of some so-called believers there—false ones, really—who were secretly brought in. They sneaked in to spy on us and take away the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations. 5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you.
We see that when Paul, Barnabas, and the accompanying believers arrived in Jerusalem they were met by the whole church including the apostles and elders, along with (as Paul puts it) some “so-called believers”, who were insisting that Gentile converts must be circumcised and follow the law of Moses. I imagine this is referring to Titus since we know he was a Gentile. So, who are the False believers, the “spies,” as Paul calls them, in the church today?
It’s anyone who introduces extra rules or practices as being required for salvation. They twist scripture to validate their opinions. Paul mentions this about Israel in Romans 10:3-4 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. Paul and Barnabas didn’t back down to these demands, and they had the approval of the apostles in Jerusalem.
What are some marks of a false gospel being preached? Anyone who treats Christ’s death as meaningless, or who says that people must obey the law in order to be saved, or who includes trying to find favor with God by obeying certain rituals, and counts on keeping laws to be right with God.
(Galatians 2:6-9)
6 And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) 7 Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews.
8 For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. 9 In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews.
Titus, a Gentile believer, who was with Paul and Barnabas became a “test case.” Would the apostles and leaders insist that Titus be circumcised and follow the laws of Moses to be saved, or was Titus’ faith in Jesus’ death on the Cross enough? We received the answer back in Galatians 2:3 “ 3 And they supported me and did not even demand that my companion Titus be circumcised, though he was a Gentile.”
This is God’s will, and what Jesus himself taught, we can see in John 6:40 “40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” Remember God does not accept human religion as a substitute for faith in Christ. We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. It is easy for us to rate people based on their status and be intimidated, but Paul was not intimidated, because all believers are equal in Christ and our ultimate allegiance, and the One to whom we are accountable, must be Jesus. We are to serve Him with all that we are.
He alone knows our hearts, 1 Samuel 16:7 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” Peter, John, and James had nothing but support for what Paul and Barnabas were preaching, in fact they realized that God was using Paul and Barnabas to reach the rest of the known world, just as God used Peter to reach the Jews, and they gave their approval for them to continue to work among the Gentiles.
The important fact here is that Paul and Peter preached the exact same message: “All must come to salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ.” Acts 15:11 says, 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
(Galatians 2:10)
10 Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do. Paul has written in this letter that the other apostles, Jesus’ own disciples during His time here, have given full approval for both his role as an apostle and the message he preached for salvation.
This was the opportunity to correct Paul, or rebuke his message, if there ever was one. But Peter, John, and James recognized it as truth. The only thing that was asked of Paul is that they keep remembering the poor. At the time, the Jerusalem church was struggling financially, being impacted by a severe famine referenced in Acts 11: 28-30.
We must stand firm against anyone who tries to twist scripture or add to the Good News. We must put on the whole armor of God as it is given to us in Ephesians 6:14-17 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And we know we can have rest because of what Jesus told us in Matthew 11:28-30
“28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Thank you Jesus!
Amen!