Division of Labour. Galatians 2:7-10.
Dear Children of the Heavenly Father,
Our discussion on the validity of Paul’s gospel and authority shifts to the recognition of the variety of gifts and calling. It is of utmost importance to acknowledge the fact that the grace of God is often applied through his servants but that no one person has all the gifts or all the responsibilities. It takes maturity to recognize that another has been gifted something that you cannot do.
Two Tasks (vv. 7-8). The men “who seemed to be something” (v. 6) are the same ones who in verses 7-8 recognize that the preaching of the gospel to the uncircumcised (gentiles, also called Greeks – non-Jews) had been committed to Paul, while the preaching of the gospel to the circumcised (Jews) had been committed to Peter, both by the same Lord.
The two tasks may have looked the same to a casual observer but were very different in reality. Jewish people had the benefit of 2,000 years of the worship of one true God, the Ten Commandments, the Old Testament, and a culture of messianic expectation. Gentiles on the other hand worshipped a plethora of gods, were ignorant of God’s revelation in the Old Testament, and often had an ethical code that was offensive to the Jews. In addition, the religious rituals of either group were in evident conflict. Take the simple matter of what the Jews considered acceptable to eat, compared to the gentile liberty, that Jews considered uncleanness.
It was clear that evangelism to gentiles was significantly different from evangelism to the Jews.
Two Takers (v. 9).In verse 9 we are finally given the identity of the men Paul has referred to simply as “those who seemed to be something” (v. 6). They are named James (the brother of Jesus – see 1:19, Cephas – Peter and John. These three men recognized the grace of God on Paul and Barnabas as evangelists to the gentiles and to the Jews. God had separated the missions and given the one to the one team and the other to another. This was not so as to give each their territory or “fiefdom”, but rather to allow for the efficient and effective outreach to each group.
Two to Tango (v. 10). The different groups or teams that God sets up are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The gospel is the same and its basic values and tenets cut across the board. So the one team can cooperate with another on areas of mutual interest. It is also not “meddling” if one checks on another, just to be sure that they are on the same page. The trio of Peter, James, and John wanted to ensure that the tag-team of Paul and Barnabas was not ignoring charity. We also should not be irritated when others in good faith check on us, to ensure that we are still on track.
We can see some of this same rationale in outreach ministries to Muslims, for example. The different teams may cooperate in some areas but there is the understanding that some are called, gifted, and equipped for one mission, others for another.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.