It Starts Small

⁷ On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter was for the circumcised, ⁸ since the one at work in Peter for an apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in me for the Gentiles. ⁹ When James, Cephas, and John—those recognized as pillars—acknowledged the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to me and Barnabas, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. ¹⁰ They asked only that we would remember the poor, which I had made every effort to do.

Galatans 2:7-10

They saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel

What task has God entrusted you with? Do you know what God has called you to do? Have you been faithfully doing it this past week?

We must be as unwavering in our convictions as Paul was in his own, truly understanding what our calling is. I urge women to passionately explore their callings, even putting it down on paper to reflect upon it regularly. This overarching goal acts as a guiding light, empowering you to make choices, even about the smallest matters. Clarity on God’s vision for your life is a powerful tool. It keeps you aligned and discerning. You learn when to embrace opportunities and when to courageously say “no.”

They gave me the right hand of fellowship

Paul’s mission is to defend not just his apostleship. He is also defending the very essence of the gospel he has been passionately proclaiming. Here, Paul emphatically highlights that the pillars of the Jerusalem church stood united with him. They extended to him the “right hand of fellowship.” This act was not merely ceremonial. It was a profound vow of friendship. It served as a powerful affirmation of his apostleship. Without a doubt, they recognized Paul as a legitimate apostle and the gospel he preached as the one true gospel. Paul shared this with the Galatian church to inspire them to embrace his teachings. He wanted them to reject the misguided false teachers who were peddling works-based salvation.

Remember the poor

The poor are often too easily overlooked in our comfortable lives. We become ensconced in our own worlds, forgetting those who endure hardships far beyond our comprehension. When their struggles come to mind, we blame them for their plight. We utter hollow phrases like “he should work harder.” This is a profound issue. It doesn’t take much to see that the Bible passionately addresses this topic. Powerful verses remind us of our duty to care for the less fortunate.

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Cross References:

• 2 Corinthians 12:11-12
• Romans 1:14-15
• Acts 9:15
• Acts 22:21
• Proverbs 19:17
• Matthew 5:42
• Luke 3:11

Questins to Ponder:

• What does it mean that Paul was “entrusted with the gospel”? Who are the “uncircumcised”?
• Who is the “He” in verse 8? What does Paul mean that “He” worked for Peter and for himself?
• How did the meeting with James, John, and Peter conclude?
• What is the “right hand of fellowship”?
• What request did they make of Paul? Why make this request?