Dividing the Task

"Instead, they saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsibility of preaching to the Jews. For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles. In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews." (Galatians 2:7-9 - New Living Translation)

The other Apostles freely acknowledged that the Holy Spirit was blessing the ministry of Paul even as He was their own. They publicly demonstrated their unity with Paul and Barnabas. There was no jealousy or envy, but a spirit of rejoicing in the work of the Lord.

When Paul refers to the gospel for the uncircumcised and the gospel to the circumcised, he is not saying that there are two gospel messages. He is talking about the ministry of the Gospel. His ministry was focused on the Gentiles. At this time, at least, the other Apostles were focused upon ministry to the Jews.

This dividing of the ministry was in no way exclusive. Paul often shared the gospel with Jews. Peter was the first apostle to preach to the Gentiles. Certainly, he would do this again as God gave opportunity. However, both parties acknowledged that Paul’s ministry was especially fruitful among the Gentiles and Peter’s ministry had been very fruitful among the Jews.