The Pulpit Commentary — Galatians — Section 144

request was remembering the poor. It was a request that came very naturally from the three, 'They wero counected with a poor Church. Intolerance, too, was more rife and keen in Palestine than elsewhere. And it would often be a perplexity to them- taking them to the throne of grace-how the poor under their charge were to be provided for. They therefore took occasion to commend them to these representatives of the Gentile Churches. It wa.s a providential arrangement that the Jewish Christians were to some extent dependent for support on the Gentile Christians. It tended to call forth the charity of the latter and to counteract the narrowness of the former, and thus to promote unity. It is a peculiarly Christian thing to remember the poor. G'hrist has shown men to be equal irrespective of condition, in that he has died for all, and would have all raised to sonship. Having taught us to care for men's souls, he has taught us, as we could not otherwise so forcibly be taught, to care also for men's bodies. W o are to show our affection for Christ in ministering to ihe wants of his poor. And we will show a tenderness even for the wants of those who are not with us in the same Christian bond.-R. F. Vere. 11-21.- Withstanding of 'Peter at Antioch. "But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face.'' From the public conference at Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas went down to Antioch, where, it is said, they tarried. They separated after this stay. 'l'he visit of Peter to Antioch must be referred to this period, seeing Barnabas is mentioned as still with Paul There was more than resistance made to Peter; there was the going up to him, meeting him face to face, and charging him with inconsistency. So significant was this, that three such Fatl:.ers as Qrigen, Chrysostom, and Jerome were only able to get over it by unwarrantably supposing it to be simu- lated. It was Paul himself who quoted the words," Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.'' He could not have borne himself thus to Peter if he had owed obedience to him as his ecclesiastical superior. But, having an independent sphere, and being specially entrusted with the liberty of the Gentile Christians,. he had a right to speak freely. Nor was there impropriety in his bringing this incident forward here, although it reflected on Peter, seeing that it was necessary to put his independence beyond question, which had been called in question in the Galatian Churches. I. How THE OCCASION DEMANDED HIS WITHSTANDING OF PETER. "Because he stood condemned." He was condemned by his own conduct. Its inconsistency was so marked. 1. Before the coming of certain from James, he mixed freely with the Gentile Christians. "For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentile,." It is difficult to say whether, or how far, James is involved by the i:atroduction of his name here. There is no reason to suppose that he sent these men (especially as Peter was already on the spot) to raise the question of intercommunion in the Church at Antioch. He had been remarkably explicit on the question of circumcision at the public conference in Jerusalem. We can understand his not being thoroughly liberated from Jewish narrowness. And those men who used his name or came from under his influence may have been of a more timid type than he. The question related to eating with the Gentiles. 'l'his was forbidden under the old order of things, on the ground of its being a barrier against heathenism. But when Jews and Gentiles were both within the one Church, circumstances were changed. There was no need for the barrier being continued. But it was difficult for those who had been accustomed to the barrier to regard it as done away. The difficulty had been got over at Antioch, but it still existed to comers from J orusalem. Peter had been broadened in his ideas, and when he came to Antioch he had no difficulty in entering into the free communion which had been established there. He lived as though he had been one of the Gentiles. He made no difference at private meals or at the public agapre. To see a leader like Peter following such a course promised well for the interests of liberty. 2. On the coming of certain from James, he gave way to fear. "But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision." He drew back until he occupied a separate position. The influ~ce by which he was swayed from the course which he had been following was fear. His fear was occasioned by the coming of certain from James. '!'he objects of his fear were they of the circumcision, i.e. Jewish Christians, especially at Jerusalem, with whom these comers from James would com- municate. He was afraid of what they of the circumcision would say, We need not  110 THE EPISTLE TO TIIE GALATIANS. [ea. 11. 1-Zl.