Galatians 2 and verse 1 reads.
Gal.2:1] Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
Titus being a gentile would cause problems. Remember Paul was sent to the gentiles.
Ga.2:2] 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.
He went up to make it known, the truth that the Lord gave to him.
Gal.2:3] But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
Important to understand circumcision, it is not of the flesh but of the heart for both man and woman. When Jesus was crucified on the cross that did away with all blood ordinances. We do not sacrifice animals on the alter anymore. We do not circumcise any more. These were nailed on the cross with our LORD. Now, if you want to circumcise for hygiene then that’s ok. But, don’t think for minute we are not under law. Jesus would say in Matthew 5:17-18 and it reads.
Mat.5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Back to Gal.2 and verse 4 reads.
Gal.2:4] And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Paul is talking about how certain Jews came in and looked on their private parts to see that Titus was not circumcised. But, what does this mean? He says it better in Gal.5:1-6 and it reads.
Gal.5:1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
[2] Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
[3] For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
[4] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
[5] For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
[6] For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
If under law then you better do the whole law or your sins are not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Back to Gal.2 and verse 5 reads.
Gal.2:5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Not in bondage, but the truth shall set you free.
Gal.2:6] But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
Don’t listen to false teachers. The LORD reward them according to their works.
Gal.2:7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
They knew this would come, and they fought against it.
Gal.2:8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Remember when Peter had the sheet come down from heaven not once but thrice. Peter would be shown then by the Lord that the gentiles would not be called common anymore Acts 10. And Paul was shown in Acts 9:15 that he would be sent to the gentiles.
Gal.2:9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Cephas is Peter, the rock. That they would go separately one to the gentiles and the others to Israel.
Gal.2:10] Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
[11] But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
[12] For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Paul is saying, Peter was not strong enough to stand against the Jews for the sake of the gentiles.
Gal.2:13] And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
Remember Paul is zealous for the LORD. He might step on toes of those he loves for the sake of tough love. He certainly pulls no punches.
Gal.2:14] But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
[15] We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
This is Paul’s point. How can a gentile understand the law of Moses if they never heard his law? How then can they come under law to Jesus Christ who now has done away with the blood ordinances? For a gentile this would make no sense, and we would put them in bondage of the law to show them freedom. But by the grace of Jesus Christ, we live. By the Lamb of God, sacrificed once and for all time, no more sacrifices.
Gal.2:17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
[20] I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Even under law we sinned. But through Jesus we have repentance and we live.
Gal.2:21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
But by the grace of God Jesus did not die in vain, for we believe. And this is what we can bring to the gentiles, Faith. But for us who know the law, it is our schoolmaster, and it helps us in repentance. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible