Musings on Galatians 2:1-14 Galatians 2:1-14 is an interesting read. It has a way of exposing what is in the hearts of men, many centuries after it occurred in Antioch. Antioch is playing out daily. Tellingly, today, and to our shame, many ministers will not do what Paul did here. We have developed a new wordology and phrasing that is so fuzzy and powerless. Paul let all of Galatia know that; He considered Peter, James, and John to be men of reputation - they were men whom he held in the highest esteem. He considered Peter a pillar. He considered Peter one whom God worked in mightily to penetrate the Jewish world. He considered Peter an apostle of the circumcision He was glad they recognised the hand of God in his life. He was appreciative of their extending ministerial fellowship to him. He was mightily encouraged that they saw that God worked mightily in Paul to penetrate the Gentile world. He received instruction from Peter and the other pillars (James and John), and he publicly stated and abided by their instruction to him. Paul also opposed Peter’s stance publicly because Peter had publicly poisoned the leaders and, by extension, encouraged the assemblies to move away from the grace of God with his example. Brethren, these apostles were brethren and not politicians posturing as bible men. The episode says a lot that is highly commendable about Peter. He was a minister whom another minister, who was not part of the “James, John, and Peter” holy trinity, could address like Paul did. Interestingly, Paul does not address the men who came from James. He does not address the men that had influenced Peter. Paul set the example of how people who know the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ should react when people try to pervert it, change it, and corrupt the good manners of the church with political poison. Paul did not celebrate Peter publicly while opposing him privately. He was not playing to the galleries. Paul was not a politician! Peter too! Was Paul confronting Peter’s stance from a position of malice? Rebellion? Competitive jealousy? The wording and context that Paul wrote down in Galatians 2 shows that Paul’s rebuke was not competition. He spoke to preserve sanity and to help heal the rift that was already causing schism between the gentile saints and the Jewish saints. Thank God for the beautiful conscience of Peter. As a minister, I ask myself, “Do I live in such a way that a “Paul”, who started ministry long after me, can relate with me like Paul related with Peter in Antioch?” We need more ministers like Peter today. What a model of greatness and meekness. … to be continued