Paul has been reviewing his
testimony with the church in Galatia. Because Judaziers who have
taught false doctrine which includes the keeping of the law along
with the receiving of Jesus Christ as Savior have come into the
churches there, Paul is refuting their teaching by showing the grace
of God that was extended to both he and them. In his review, he has
told of returning to Jerusalem to meet with the leadership there to
discuss his sharing of the gospel with the Gentiles. We continue our
study in verse eight of chapter two where we read:
(For he that wrought
effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same
was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
Notice,
first, that this is a parenthetical verse. As though Paul felt the
need to explain an additional thought to his last one, he adds this
phrase. Paul just wrote that the leadership in Jerusalem saw the
gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto him as the gospel of
the circumcision was to Peter, and to clarify this thought further
Paul adds, “(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the
apostleship of the circumcision,...) Paul knew it was God who was
the author of Peter's inspiration and gifting toward the Jews. Peter
would have had no apostleship toward the Jews at all if God had not
given it. It was the Holy Spirit of God who gave Peter the ability to
share with the three thousand on the day of Pentecost, and it was
God's Spirit who lead and empowered him to share with the five
thousand in Acts chapter four. It was God's Spirit who gave Peter the
vision in Acts chapter ten that would allow Peter to go beyond what
he knew about the gospel and to whom it was to be given as he shared
the gospel with Cornelius there. The Holy Spirit of God had “wrought
effectually” or worked effectively within Peter.
Paul
continued, “...the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)”
Paul knew it was God's Holy Spirit who was the author of his
inspiration and leading toward the Gentiles.. The same Holy Spirit
that worked in Peter also worked in Paul. The Holy Spirit's working
was toward a different group of people, but the work was inspired by
the same God. Notice again that the Holy Spirit was “mighty in
me”. Almost as if Paul is surprised by the effectiveness of the
Holy Spirit within him, he boasts of the working of God. By God's
might, Paul ministered to the Gentiles. By God's might, the
inspiration to reach them was given, and by God's might many Gentiles
came to know the Lord Jesus of whom the Galatians were a part.
So what
is the common theme here? It was God who did the work. Peter and Paul
were simply the instruments through whom God worked. So often when we
are inspired to do some work for God, or make great exploits for God
we forget to remember that God is the source and inspiration of any
mighty work that we may do. Too often when we approach a new
determination we will go forth in our own strength and we fizzle many
times before the first few days go by. In order for us to realize the
mighty working of God in us, we must first resign our own power and
abilities over to the one who can and will get the work done. As with
Peter to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles, we are the most
advantaged when we realize the source of our mighty working is God's
Spirit alone, and without Him we can do nothing.
Next
time will look at the agreement made in Jerusalem, so read ahead, and
let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to
Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it
locally
at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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