Don’t Back Down (Galatians 2:2)

"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." (Galatians 2:2, English Standard Version)

As we continue our survey of the book of Galatians, we come to the part of the letter where the Apostle Paul recounts his own personal struggle against the heresy of legalism. The book of Galatians sets forth the central theme of the Christian gospel: We are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ alone. Legalism steps in and says that while Christ is necessary, He is not sufficient for salvation. We need to add personal works of righteousness in order to maintain the salvation that Christ initially won for us.

Now the Apostle Paul took this error head on. He was not some "ivory tower" theologian writing a philosophical treatise. He was a soldier on the front lines of the battle, and in chapter two of Galatians, we get a brief glimpse of his struggle. Legalism takes on many forms, and the particular brand of legalism found in the Galatian churches was perpetrated by a group of people known as the Judaizers. These people were false teachers who tried to say that to be a true Christian, one must adhere to the Jewish law found in the Pentateuch. This was obviously counter to the gospel that Paul was presenting to the Gentile believers throughout his missionary journeys.

Now this passage doesn't really break down nicely into identifiable points, but there is a theme present, and it is this: Don't back down from error.

1. Don't back down from error ("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"). Despite what it may sound like from this verse, I am going to suggest that Paul was in no way doubting whether he was preaching the truth. It sounds like from the verse that Paul was rocked to the core by what the Judaizers were teaching that he needed to go to Jerusalem to see whether he had his theology straight. That is not the case! The reason being, Paul himself attests to the divine nature of his teaching earlier in this letter ("For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11-12). You don't need to verify with men a revelation from Jesus Christ.

So why did Paul go down to Jerusalem? Here's why: Paul wanted to make sure that it wasn't only the Judaizers who were in error. He wanted to find out if he was the only one preaching God's truth, or if the Jerusalem church had become corrupted. The trip to Jerusalem that is mentioned here in Galatians 2 is also referenced in the book of Acts (cf. Acts 15:1ff). So Paul goes to Jerusalem, and as it says in the passage, he meets privately with Peter, James & John ("those who seemed influential"). In this private meeting, he presents to them the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles. The result of the meeting is found in next few verses: "And from those who seemed to be influential ... added nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised ... and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised" (Galatians 2:6-9). In other words, the leaders of the Jerusalem church confirmed the gospel that Paul was preaching; and therefore repudiated the heresy of the Judaizers. In fact, James wrote a letter for Paul to take with him confirming their resolution (cf. Acts 15:22-35).

Application Time. OK, what does this have to with us in the here-and-now? Plenty! First, we need to understand something. No one is getting direct feed from Christ like Paul did, so we cannot be too over-confident that we are correct on every point of doctrine. That is why God preserved His truth in a book. We need to be evaluating everything we believe by the truth found in God's book, not man's shifting opinions.

Second, if we are confident that we are in line with Scripture rightly interpreted (key phrase), we need to hold firm to that truth and not let anyone back us off of it. As in the case here, we need to stand firm and not let anyone tell us that Jesus Christ is not sufficient for our salvation. Now there are more false teaching floating around other than legalism. When we confront something that doesn't seem to square with our beliefs, we must evaluate that teaching with Scripture. It may be that we have to alter our thinking, but, if you are confident that you are in line with Scripture, it may be that you have to confront an error.

Think of Martin Luther. He had been awakened to the vast heresy and gross immorality of the corrupt Catholic Church in the 16th century. He had studied Scripture, and became convinced that justification was by faith alone in Jesus Christ (he got that from reading Galatians!). He virtually took on the entire Roman Catholic establishment single handedly (well, not single handedly because he had God on his side). In the end, he was labeled a heretic and ex-communicated from the Catholic Church. Yet, Christianity wouldn't be where it is today were it not for him. He took a bold stand on the truth, and God used him mightily!

Bottom Line. Don't be afraid to take a stand on the truth--as long as you're sure it's the truth. God honors those who take a bold stand for Him. I close with this truth from the Bible: "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

Have a blessed day!

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