I. Ordering Paul's Epistles 1 - Hope of the Glory

4. These false men were secretly brought in by stealth (secretly): Gal 2:4
a) This implies that some of the leaders were not in on the attack.
b) They were spying out OUR liberty to see if they can destroy it
5. Paul did not give into this attack at all
a) Why, for an hour – seems like a long time to me!
b) This was to preserve the truth – we do not allow lies from the pulpit EVER
c) We need this strength in doctrine all of the time – the enemy wants you to
compromise
6. Some see a second reason for this strong stand 50
a) Paul writes a letter to Titus where he says
(Tit 1:5) This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in
every town as I directed you--
(Tit 1:6) if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the
charge of debauchery or insubordination.
(Tit 1:7) For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered
or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
(Tit 1:8) but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
(Tit 1:9) He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound
doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
(Tit 1:10) For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the
circumcision party.
(Tit 1:11) They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they
ought not to teach.
(Tit 1:12) One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons."
(Tit 1:13) This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,
(Tit 3:8) The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in
God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
(Tit 3:9) But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are
unprofitable and worthless.
(Tit 3:10) As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do
with him,
(Tit 3:11) knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
b) Leading a group sometimes means that you have to mark certain folks as heretics.
c) Stam says the following when comparing Titus and Timothy 51
“An interesting comparison between Timothy and Titus can be found in what Paul had to say with regard to
the visits they both made to Corinth. Timothy was, of course, far above the careless Corinthian believers both
morally and spiritually. Yet when Paul sent Timothy to Corinth he had to write a letter in advance, exhorting them,
"Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also
do. Let no man therefore despise him..." (I Cor. 16:10-11). Later when Titus had been to Corinth and had
returned, Paul wrote to the church there something very different: “And his [Titus] inward affection is more
abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received
him" (II Cor. 7:15). Quite a difference!
7. Further remarks on this important meeting 52
"And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles,
but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain" (Gal. 2:2).
“In Acts 15 we read that the church at Antioch sent Paul to Jerusalem. This wastrue, but there is more to this
than that, of which Luke does not inform us. Paul declares that Christ sent him by special revelation.
“However he was not sent to check with the twelve or to make sure that he was preaching the same message
as they. Rather, the Lord sent him to Jerusalem to communicate to the leaders "that gospel which I [Paul] preach
among the Gentiles." Why did he need to tell them what he had been preaching to the Gentiles, and why this
phraseology if his gospel was exactly the same as their gospel? This is not the only place where he used such
wording regarding the message which he preached. Three times he called his good news "my gospel" (Rom.
50 Stam, op. cit.
51 Stam, ibid, p. 69
52 Stam, ibid
Galatians Page 42 November 22, 2008 10:05