ENTRUSTED WITH THE TASK OF PREACHING

Galatians 2:1-10 / Keywords 2:7

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2:1 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titusalong also. 2 I went in response to a revelationand, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.


6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[a] just as Peter had been to the circumcised.[b] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.9 James, Cephas[c] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Footnotes
a. Galatians 2:7 That is, Gentiles
b. Galatians 2:7 That is, Jews; also in verses 8 and 9
c. Galatians 2:9 That is, Peter; also in verses 11 and 14

1. Several years after his first visit, Paul returned to Jerusalem, this time, with Barnabas and Titus. He went in response to a revelation he received to speak with the leaders of the church to set before them the gospel he preached. During their journey, Paul and his companions met false believers who tried to influence Titus, a Gentile believer, to be circumcised. But neither he nor Paul gave into them so that the truth of the gospel might remain. Paul wholeheartedly believed in the power of the gospel and the finished work of the cross to bring salvation to all men.

 

2. Paul did not idolize the church leaders in Jerusalem. As pastors, shepherds, and leaders, we must not worry about our appearance, titles, or success. What Paul cared about was that the pure gospel was preached for salvation. James, Peter, and John added nothing to his message, and they accepted Paul and Barnabas as they recognized the grace given them to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. While God was at work in Peter’s ministry to the Jews, God was at work in Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. What is your call before God? We need not compare ourselves to anyone, but humbly commit ourselves the very responsibility entrusted to us by God in faith.

 

Prayer Father, thank you so much for calling me out of darkness into your marvelous light and entrusting me with the gospel. Raise bold witnesses to preach your word to the nations.

One Word Preach the gospel!