Galatians 2:11-14
Paul's Bold Action in Defense of the Gospel
We're in Galatians chapter 2, verses 11 through 14. Last week, we looked at Paul's recollection of the Jerusalem Council, which declared that circumcision is not required to receive the gospel. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, by the grace of God— justification by faith. Paul's defense of his apostleship continues, confirmed by the Jerusalem elders and apostles who believed the same gospel he received 14 years earlier.
Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed. For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?”
Four key things to notice in these verses:
- Paul's bold action in defense of the gospel.
- Peter's condemnation.
- Barnabas's hypocrisy.
- The content of their errors.
The Context in Antioch
This is one of three occasions in the immediate context where Paul argues with someone. The issue in Antioch, from the end of Acts 14 to the beginning of Acts 15, mirrors the Galatians' problem: Judaizers preaching a different gospel, insisting on circumcision for salvation. Paul and Barnabas addressed this at the Jerusalem Council, debating a sect of believing Pharisees who said circumcision was necessary alongside faith in Christ's death and resurrection.
These "certain men from James" were likely from that group, explaining Paul's strong defense of his independent apostleship from Christ, not derived from Jerusalem leaders like James or Peter.
Peter's Condemnation and the Gospel at Stake
Peter came to Antioch and initially ate with Gentiles. But when the men from James arrived, he withdrew, fearing those of the circumcision. The other Jews followed, even Barnabas, playing the hypocrite. Paul saw they were not straightforward about the gospel truth—acting in a way that deterred from it.
Peter's actions implied Gentiles needed circumcision for fellowship, echoing the Judaizers' false gospel without preaching it outright. To uncircumcised Gentiles, it looked like: "You can't have communion with us saved, circumcised believers unless you're circumcised." Peter stood condemned; the evidence was public, and Paul opposed him to his face.
Peter had publicly declared at the Jerusalem Council that the gospel went to Gentiles through his mouth, yet here he shunned them—pure hypocrisy driven by fear of confrontation, conflict, or reputational loss.
Our Actions Have Gospel Implications
Peter wasn't trying to destroy the gospel; he feared the Judaizers. But he took his eyes off the gospel's primacy, like when he walked on water with eyes fixed on Jesus but sank when distracted. Our actions impact the gospel's truth. Even negative examples like Peter's show this.
Barnabas, who defended the gospel alongside Paul before, conceded and joined the hypocrisy. Paul, positively, defended it boldly, even confronting brothers publicly when their public actions harmed the gospel.
Interdependent Gospel Truths
Defending the gospel is interdependent with defending God's people—even from themselves. Correct a brother publicly if their public sin misrepresents the gospel, motivated by love, humility, and gentleness, not pride (James on restoring wanderers).
Valuing the gospel means valuing its recipients. Paul cared for Gentiles being led astray by Peter and Barnabas.
When corrected biblically, embrace it. Peter did: later in 2 Peter 3:15, he calls Paul "our beloved brother" who wrote with wisdom. A willingness to correct and be corrected advances gospel unity, delivery, accuracy, and application.
Avoiding Peter's Hypocrisy
Do you act differently in church versus elsewhere—two-faced, double-minded, hypocritical? Peter slipped into old habits: bold defender of Jesus until alone, then denier. Yet redeemed by the Spirit, he became Pentecost's bold proclaimer.
To avoid being Peter:
- Think gospel—keep Christ central, like in communion: "Do this in remembrance of me."
- Be open to correction.
- Be humble—God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Peter's own words).
- Rely on the Holy Spirit, empowering boldness over denial.
Avoiding Barnabas's Compromise
Are you like Barnabas—fighting sin successfully, then conceding? Don't let past failures deter standing for truth, or lies convince you to quit. Renew repentance continually; never be satisfied. The truly repentant hide God's word in their heart, take thoughts captive, consider themselves dead to sin, proactively put sin to death (1 Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 16:18). Thirst for more sin-slaying.
Be Like Paul
Value the gospel supremely. Defend it earnestly, consistently, without compromise for fear of man. Care more about God's view than man's—be doers of the word, not hearers only. They knew the gospel but weren't living it straightforwardly.
