Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people,to make sure that I was not running – or had not run– in vain. – Paul (Gal 2:1-2; NET)

Did Paul doubt his gospel message? And why, with the Galatians doubting his gospel, would Paul also express doubt in it?

In the last post we examined Paul’s presentation of his gospel to the Apostles. Based on the evidence in the letter it is highly unlikely that Paul is expressing doubt in his gospel nor is he looking to the Apostles for verification of the message he proclaimed. Paul has spent the last 14 years ministering with the gospel he received from Jesus. So why did Paul present his gospel to the Apostles in Jerusalem? In what way did Paul think he might be “running in vain”? Continue reading →

In the last post we looked at Paul’s defense of the gospel given in the first part of the letter to the Galatians.

Paul defended his claim that his gospel is from God using two assertions.

1. My gospel was received independent of the Apostles (1:12-24)
2. The gospel I defend is the same gospel as the Apostles (2:1-14)

Paul, having defended his independence in receiving the gospel (1:12-24) moves the argument forward by talking about his visit to Jerusalem.

Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people,to make sure that I was not running – or had not run– in vain. – Paul (Gal 2:1-2; NET)

This was no vacation, Paul was persuaded to go on this trip because of a revelation. Continue reading →

This is part of the series blogging through Galatians. You might want to start with part 1.

Apostle Paul (painting by El Greco 1612)

Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians around 49 AD, likely from the city of Antioch. He is dealing with the proclamation of “another gospel”. This theological challenge to the gospel that Paul is teaching has reached not only Galatia, but the majority of the regions where Christianity has spread.

This “other gospel” asserts that one must adhere to the Mosaic Law, including circumcision, in order to be saved. Continue reading →