Over the centuries, the gospel message has been distorted in many ways, from an over-emphasis on rules or performance to an excessive pursuit of emotion to supernatural wonders or prosperity. Still today, Christians must be vigilant about discerning and protecting the truth.

In Galatians 2, Paul jumps forward 14 years to his second Jerusalem visit as a follower of Christ (v. 1). For this important trip, he took with him Barnabas, his principal partner. Barnabas provided support and substantiation as Paul defended his ministry to the “esteemed leaders” who had been hearing defamatory reports from spies (v. 2).

Paul explained that he traveled to Jerusalem “in response to a revelation” (v. 2). He doesn’t tell the story of how he received this particular “revelation,” but he uses the same word that he did in 1:12 to speak of his conversion encounter on the Damascus Road. This repetition highlights the fact that God alone is leading Paul’s ministry, every step of the way.

In Jerusalem, Paul met privately with the most prominent apostles and gave them a report regarding his gospel ministry to the Gentiles (v. 2). He was seeking their blessing and partnership. He hoped they could present a united front as the gospel message of freedom in Christ—rather than slavery to the Law—spread to all people (v. 4).

One central issue of confusion and contention was circumcision. The “false believers” were insisting that the Gentile converts be circumcised. But Paul preached a gospel of grace, which did not require such slavish adherence to Jewish Law. Titus, a Greek, was also with Paul in Jerusalem (v. 3), and Paul offered Titus as a living example. Though he was a faithful believer and a devoted minister of the gospel, Titus was not compelled to be circumcised.