Galatians 2:3

Circumcised. Verses 3-5 are parenthetical to the main line of argument. The incident of Titus is tangible evidence that the apostles understood and approved Paul’s gospel. There may be another and equally important reason in Paul’s mind for inserting this incident. Timothy, himself a Galatian, half Jew and half Gentile, had been circumcised at the beginning of his ministry as a concession to Jewish prejudice (Acts 16:1-3). For a statement of the principle involved see 1 Cor. 9:21-23. The compromise was a practical one intended to facilitate the preaching of the gospel among the Jews of Gentile lands. In the case of Titus, a full-blooded Gentile, it was different. Had Paul consented to circumcise Titus he would have denied his gospel and appeared to admit that these outward forms were essential to salvation. Paul’s purpose in mentioning the incident involving Titus is to cite an instance where the apostles themselves did not require a Gentile convert to be circumcised. Obviously they did not concede to the demands of the “false brethren” of Gal. 2:4, 5. The false teachers who have been leading the Galatians astray must face these facts, which confront them with an argument they will find most difficult to answer.

This incident reveals both Paul’s consistency and the willingness of the leaders to lay aside prejudice and recognize truth when it was presented to them. This spirit made it possible for God to work through the early church in a marvelous way. He looks for the same spirit of love and tolerance in the church today. There must be the same willingness to accept new light when it is presented, if the church is to attain to new heights of spiritual experience, and new depths — a new comprehension — of God’s plan for His church.