Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Galatians: Chapter 2].
persuaded Peter, James, and John to agree with him and Barnabas
in their contention for freedom for the Gentile Christians from
the bondage of the Mosaic ceremonial law.
2:7 {But contrariwise} (\alla tounantion\). But on the contrary
(accusative of general reference, \to enantion\). So far from the
three championing the cause of the Judaizers as some hoped or
even the position of the compromisers in verses 4f., they came
boldly to Paul's side after hearing the case argued in the
private conference. This is the obvious interpretation rather
than the view that Peter, James, and John first proposed the
circumcision of Titus and afterwards surrendered to Paul's bold
stand. {When they saw} (\idontes\). After seeing, after they
heard our side of the matter. {That I had been intrusted with the
gospel of the uncircumcision} (\hoti pepisteumai to euaggelion
t•s akrobustias\). Perfect passive indicative of \pisteu•\, to
intrust, which retains the accusative of the thing (\to
euaggelion\) in the passive voice. This clear-cut agreement
between the leaders "denotes a distinction of sphere, and not a
difference of type" (Lightfoot). Both divisions in the work
preach the same "gospel" (not like 1:6f., the Judaizers). It
seems hardly fair to the Three to suggest that they at first
championed the cause of the Judaizers in the face of Paul's
strong language in verse 5.
2:8 {He that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the
circumcision} (\ho gar energ•sas Petr•i eis apostol•n t•s
peritom•s\). Paul here definitely recognizes Peter's leadership
(apostleship, \apostol•n\, late word, already in Ac 1:25; 1Co
9:2) to the Jews and asserts that Peter acknowledges his
apostleship to the Gentiles. This is a complete answer to the
Judaizers who denied the genuineness of Paul's apostleship
because he was not one of the twelve.
2:9 {They who were reputed to be pillars} (\hoi dokountes stuloi
einai\). They had that reputation (\dokountes\) and Paul accepts
them as such. \Stuloi\, old word for pillars, columns, as of fire
(Re 10:1). So of the church (1Ti 3:15). These were the Pillar
Apostles. {Gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship}
(\dexias ed•kan emoi kai Barnab•i koin•nias\). Dramatic and
concluding act of the pact for cooperation and coordinate,
independent spheres of activity. The compromisers and the
Judaizers were brushed to one side when these five men shook
hands as equals in the work of Christ's Kingdom.
http://www.ccel.org/r/robertson_at/wordpictures/htm/GA2.RWP.html (4 of 9) [28/08/2004 09:12:21 a.m.]