4th May 2023 – Galatians 2:11-12

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.


Slow and grudging as he was, however, Peter did at last see the light, he did finally grasp the message that the Holy Spirit was intent on teaching him, and through him, the Church, his fellow Jewish believers. Indeed, the whole significance of Acts 10 lies just here, and the blessing that came to the house of Cornelius flowed from the fact that Peter's eyes had been opened to the strategy of the Spirit, and that he had submitted in obedience to this new light and had made this new advance in the things of God. Now, it is in connection with this, and in this respect, that Paul rebuked Peter. For on this particular occasion here, Peter reverted to his old position, and he took a retrograde step (12) by withdrawing and separating himself from his Gentile fellow believers - because they were Gentiles - for fear of the Jews. This, then, is the position. Peter had seen the light of the Holy Spirit's leading, and had, in Cornelius' house responded to it, and entered into fellowship with the Gentiles, but at a later time he slipped away from what he knew was commanded by the Holy Spirit. Ah, it is costly to stand out for the truth, against pressure. It is easier to compromise than to be true to the highest we know! For Peter, the temptation was there, and he yielded to it.