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NASB | Galatians 2:11 ¶ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Galatians 2:11 ¶ Now when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him face to face [about his conduct there], because he stood condemned [by his own actions]. |
Bible Question:
How is Paul's taking part in the purification rites any different than what Peter was doing (following Jewish traditions) when he condemned him in front of everyone? While there is no argument that Paul was a great man - is it safe to assume that this purification rite (which happened right before his arrest) marks a personal slip up on Paul's part? One which he, arguably, attempts to make amends for when demanding to go to Rome to appeal to Caesar (and also to preach to the Gentiles in their most concentrated place?) |
Bible Answer: Greetings Dogloopy, You ask, "How is Paul's taking part in the purification rites any different than what Peter was doing (following Jewish traditions) when he condemned him in front of everyone?" Related Scripture: Galatians 2:11-21; Acts 21:15-26; 1 Cor. 9:22 In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul opposes Peter "to his face" at Antioch because he yielded to the pressure of the Judiazers in front of the Gentiles and other Jewish Christians, (like Barnabas) who were not associated with the Judiazers. Since the other Christians (both Jews and Gentile) followed Peter's example, then Peter led them astray by upholding the Judiazers, who contended that their 'purification rites', namely, circumcision and the observance of dietary restrictions, were necessary for salvation. In Acts 21:15-26, Paul comes before the council at Jerusalem before James and all of the elders, and is compelled by the council to sponsor and undergo purification with 4 other men who undertook a Nazirite vow, so that Paul could ensure that they complete their vows and purification, even in the wake of his preaching, which was misunderstood by these 4 Jewish men to mean that they should forsake what Moses commanded (verse 21). Such things like Nazirite vows were observed by choice among the Jewish Christians, but most definitely not something that was required of Christians. Perhaps the best way to understand these two situations (Galatians 2:11-21 and Acts 21:15-26) in the same light without seeing a contradiction is 1 Cor. 9:20-22, which says that Paul "became as a Jew" to win the Jews and became "all things to all men" so that salvation would be presented to all without obstacle, or Jewish rite thrown in as a hindrance. Paul had earlier underwent a Nazirite vow (Acts 18:18) and had Timothy be circumcised (Acts 16:3), even though he was very careful not to sacrifice Christian principle (unlike Peter in Galatians) in any act of obedience to the law (he would not have Titus circumcised - see Galatians 2:3). So, with the instance in Acts, it could be that Paul himself felt responsible for being a 'stumbling block' to those 4 Nazirites, even though he was correct! Paul submits to the council and does everything necessary to ensure that, although definitely not a necessity, the purification rites of the Nazirites are completed, and Paul's witness is held intact without any reservation. I hope that this answers your question! Blessings to you, Makarios |
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Rowdy | ||
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PSALMS34 | ||
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PSALMS34 | ||
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Inquisitor | ||
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Inquisitor | ||
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dogloopy | ||
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Makarios |