We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. (Galatians 2:5)It's difficult for us to imagine Christianity's struggle to break free from its Jewish roots. In the beginning it looked like a sect of Judaism - people who observed the law, but believed in Jesus as the Messiah. That was all well and good until Paul's fast-paced ministry to the Gentiles, who felt no compulsion to adopt Jewish laws and customs.
Judaizers were Jewish Christians who insisted Greek converts be circumcised and live by Kosher food laws. They would swoop into a town after Paul moved on to the next, and tell the fledgling congregation that the missionary left out a few things. They would then impose on these new believers Jewish practices foreign to them.
When Peter traveled from Jerusalem to visit, even he felt pressured to limit his table fellowship with Greek converts. And because of Peter's waffling regarding the truth, those traveling with him also backed off. Even Barnabus, a trusted co-worker of Paul's, was swayed to what the apostle called hypocrisy.
Paul knew he could not give an inch in this fight: ...if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing (2:21)! If Paul allowed these Jewish obligations what would the next group want to add on? Paul was not just protecting first-century converts; he was protecting all of us.
Who is depending on you to stand up for the truth?
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