Gálatas 2
Marvin Vincent · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gálatas 2
Vincent observes that hupostello is "a picturesque word. Originally, to draw in or contract. Used of furling sails, and of closing the fingers; of drawing back for shelter; of keeping back one’s real thoughts; by physicians, of withholding food from patients." He began to hold himself aloof (873)(aphorizo from apó = off from, apart + horizo = mark out the limit) means to mark off the boundaries, to appoint, set one apart for some purpose. Aphorizo like hupostello is in the imperfect tense indicating that Peter's separation from the Gentiles was gradual and not abrupt. Nevertheless Peter gradually withdrew and slowly separated until the separation from the Gentile believers was complete. Guzik suggests that Peter's "separation was probably at the church potluck dinner, which they called “the agape banquet” or the “love feast.” They would also remember the Lord’s death at this dinner and take communion together. Therefore, it is possible that Peter turned these Gentile Christians away from the communion table (THIS IS CONJECTURE BUT IS POSSIBLE)." Leon Morris agrees suggesting that “It may be that the observance of holy communion was involved in this, for it seems that often in the early church it was celebrated at a meal shared by all the believers. If this was the case at Antioch, there would have been a division of believers at the table of the Lord.” (Galatians: Paul's Charter of Christian Freedom) FEAR THREATENED PETER'S FREEDOM Why did Peter fold to Judaistic pressure? In one word - fear. Surely Peter knew the proverb that addressed the very issue with which he as confronted. Of course it is one thing to know the truth, but quite another to practice the truth (WE ALL UNDERSTAND THAT PRINCIPLE DON'T WE!)... The fear of man brings a snare (moqesh), But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted (sagab). (Proverbs 29:25) (Read William Arnot's comments) Don Anderson writes "When we get our eyes off the Lord Jesus and our one desire to please Him, and we get those eyes on people around us and our desire is to please them, we then begin to fail in making the normal progress toward spiritual growth that should be ours." (cf Gal 1:10+). Since the Judaizers were claiming special authorization from Peter, it was necessary to point out in Paul’s argument that Peter by no means was infallible. I think it is interesting for us to note here that Peter is by no means pictured as a person who is perfect or infallible in all of his judgments but that he, too, can make mistakes and can fail to act in the best interest of everyone who is involved in a situation. (Notes) Fearing the party of the circumcision - The word "party" is not in the Greek text, so the NET rendering reads "because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision." (Gal 2:12NET). How different was Peter's reaction to pressure compared with that of Paul at Jerusalem - "But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you." (Gal 2:5+) John Stott minces no words writing that Peter's "withdrawal from table-fellowship with Gentile believers was not prompted by any theological principle, but by craven fear of a small pressure group … He still believed the gospel, but he failed to practise it.” (The Message of Galatians)
Gálatas 2
Vincent - Paul assumes that this was actually the case: that, seeking to be justified in Christ, they were found to be sinners. To seek to be justified by Christ is an admission that there is no justification by works; that the seeker is unjustified, and therefore a sinner. The effort to attain justification by faith in Christ develops the consciousness of sin. It compels the seeker, whether Jew or Gentile, to put himself upon the common plane of sinners. The Jew who calls the Gentile a sinner, in seeking to be justified by faith, finds himself a sinner also. The law has failed him as a justifying agency. But Paul is careful to repudiate the false inference from this fact, stated in what immediately follows, namely, that Christ is a minister of sin. Minister of sin - A promoter of sin by causing us to abandon the law. (Galatians 2 Commentary - Greek Word Studies) POSB - The question is, "Could Christ be making us sinners by our trusting that we are justified by faith in Him alone?" Some argued that Paul was making Christ a minister of sin. Their reasoning went like this: when men turned away from the law and trusted Christ for righteousness, Christ caused them to sin, for Christ made it easy for them to transgress the law. They said that Christ tore down the law, for He led men away from the law. He removed the restraints and barriers of the law; therefore, men became transgressors by rejecting the law.Paul simply says two things about this argument. First, God forbid! Second, the man who tries to keep the law makes himself a sinner, for it is the law that condemns him (Galatians 3:19). (The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Galatians) John