A Victory For Grace

" Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek." (Galatians 2:3 - New International Version)

Titus was fully accepted by the Apostles as a fellow Christian without being circumcised. The Apostles were united in their stand against those who wished to impose the Old Testament law upon Gentile Christians. Paul won his victory over his opponents.

"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. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you." (Galatians 2:4,5 - New International Version)

These verses would seem to refer back to the private meeting Paul mentions in verse two. Paul is explaining another reason why he sought to meet with James, Peter and John before the public meeting was held. He knew that at the public meeting these false brethren would be in attendance. He wanted to present his case in full without the distraction that these people would cause.

Paul says that, at least, some of his opponents were not even true believers. They had entered into the Christian community under false pretenses in order to undermine the truth of the Gospel. Rather then accepting the freedom that we have in Christ, these spies were seeking to bring Christians, both Jew and Gentile, back under the bondage of the Old Testament Law.

Paul did not consider compromising with these enemies of the truth for even a second. Paul was always willing to compromise on the non-essentials, but when it came to doctrine, and especially the way of salvation, Paul would not be swayed for any reason. To compromise would have undermined the salvation of innumerable souls