Bible Passage:Gal 2:3
But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
* * *
This word (was compelled) sufficiently declares what the consequence and conclusion was; namely, that the Gentiles should not be constrained to be circumcised. Paul did not reject circumcision as a damnable thing, neither did he by word or deed enforce the Jews to forsake it. But he rejected circumcision as a thing not necessary to righteousness, seeing the fathers themselves were not justified by it. The believing Jews who were weak could understand this teaching in no other way than that circumcision was altogether unprofitable and damnable. The false apostles increased this opinion of the weak Jews in order to discredit Paul's doctrine among them. Paul therefore compelled none that would be circumcised to remain uncircumcised, only he would have them understand that circumcision is not necessary to justification. And he suffered the Jews to keep the Law, as long as they did it with a free conscience, and understood that they were justified by faith and not by the Law or circumcision. And Paul might have suffered Titus to be circumcised, being a Gentile, but because he saw that they would compel him to do it, he would not. For if they had prevailed therein, by and by they would have gathered that it was necessary to justification, and so, through this sufferance, they would have triumphed over Paul. This strong argument Paul could bring against the false apostles, that in this conference it was decided by the agreement of all the Apostles, the whole church also approving the same, that Titus should not be circumcised.
Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy Law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
--
Cuda.
aka Pastor Robin Fish
Lutheran to the core -- and just a little beyond.
Information Copyright © 2007-2009 Robin Fish. All rights reserved.
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