Please explain what Paul was saying in Galatians 2:6-8.
To answer your good question, let’s read Galatians 2:4-9, “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”
Verse 1 of our chapter shows that Paul, Barnabas, and Titus were in Jerusalem where Paul “communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles.” (verse 2). There were some there who taught that a Gentile would have to be circumcised in order to be saved. We read of this in Acts 15:5-6, “But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” At this ‘Jerusalem Counsel’ Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James took leadership roles as they discussed this new phenomenon…Gentiles were being saved! Peter said in verse 10, “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” At last James spoke in verse 19 saying, “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.” In other words, they could not ask Gentiles to abide by the Jewish law as a requirement for their salvation.
Back in our portion in Galatians 2, we learn that “false brethren” had come in to see this liberty Paul preached and to try to bring them under subjection to the law. Of these people, Paul remarked in verse 5, “we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour.” Paul refused to listen to or reason with these false teachers. Paul and the other Apostles, had determined that it not God’s will for these Gentiles to be subjected to circumcision as a requirement to salvation. Paul goes on to say in verse 6, that all these men who were esteemed as important “added nothing to me.” What they said did not impact Pauls’ thoughts or teachings. He understood God’s desires and intentions. He understood that “Circumcision is nothing.” (1 Corinthians 7:19)
These men did not add anything to Paul’s thinking. In fact, they came to understand that Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter was the Apostle to the Jews. Even James, Peter, and John “perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (verse 9).
It is the work of Satan to attach conditions to this free gift of salvation that the Lord offers to us. Some say you had to be circumcised to be saved; some say you had obey the law to be saved; some say you must be baptized to be saved; some say you must attend church regularly to be saved; some say you must tithe 10% to be saved. In actuality, only ONE thing will save you, and that is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord. Have you been to Jesus and accepted Him as your savior and Lord? Please do before it’s eternally too late. 2 Corinthians 6:2 tells us, “behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.) (242.2)