Galatians 2:9

James. Not the brother of John, who had been put to death before Paul’s First Missionary Journey (Acts 12:1, 2), but doubtless “James the Lord’s brother,” already introduced in Gal. 1:19. The fact that he is named first implies that he was, at the time, leader among the apostles at Jerusalem. In Luke’s account of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) James ranks first among the leaders of the church (see vs. 13, 19-22). The fact that James, the acknowledged leader of the church, had not been one of the Twelve, deflates the charge of the Judaizers that Paul cannot be considered a genuine apostle. A few ancient manuscripts and versions read “Peter and James,” obviously to make Peter appear to be first among the apostles.

Cephas. See on Matt. 16:18; Mark 3:16.

John. See on Mark 3:17.

Seemed to be. That is, were generally held to be. Paul may purposely have avoided saying that these three were leaders. The success or failure of the gospel does not depend upon any man or group of men. No person is indispensable to its success.

Pillars. That is, leaders in the church. If James, who is not of the Twelve, is held in such high esteem as to be rated a “pillar” in the church on an equality with Peter and John, why not Paul also?

The right hands. The leading apostles entered into a formal, friendly agreement with Paul, acknowledging his apostleship and approving his gospel. The giving of the right hand was a practice familiar to other nations as well as to the Jews. This act obviously involved more than a grudging admission that God had called and blessed Paul and Barnabas, and a reluctant concession to their views. The apostles, by this gesture, recognized them as equal in the Christian ministry. Also, their gospel was accepted as pure and worthy to be preached.

Fellowship. Gr. koinonia, “participation,” “sharing,” “association.”

Unto the heathen. The apostles were not jealous of the success reported by Paul and Barnabas, but rejoiced in it. They consented to Paul’s continuation of his work, as formerly, among the Gentiles. This is a good illustration of the possibility of reaching a harmonious solution to difficult church problems without harsh contention or strife.

Many conflicts that disgraced the church in later centuries would never have occurred had the believers been as honest and noble-minded as the leaders of apostolic times.