Galatians 2

1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 

"Revelation" = God told Paul to go to Jerusalem. It was important that the apostles knew the reasons for Paul's teachings. Christ Jesus had given him this personally.

3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 

Circumcision was of the Jews of the Old Testament and has nothing to do with your heart. Titus, being a Gentile at the time went along with the crowd. There is nothing wrong with being circumcised because it is something for cleanliness, but to do it as a tradition for these people was something unnecessary.

4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 

These spies were the religious leaders = Kenites checking out men when they were going to the bathroom or changing clothes. Sick individuals! That would be the only way to know if they had been circumcised. The "churches" of today are just as sick with the bondage they put people in with the junk they teach and the things they don't teach. They're setting up satans coming for him to fool many. One big one is "rapture", one of satans tricks to put your guard down for what must come before The Lords coming. If you have a "pastor" that believes in it, you have a worker of satan, FLAT OUT!

5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 

Just as Paul, Titus and Barnabas, we should not waste any time with junk people try to put into The Churches today. While they bring bondage, you are free in Christ. They don't know the difference between laws and ordinances.

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 

These of high standing in the church had nothing for Paul. He knew Gods Word so they couldn't fool him. Don't let those of today fool you! I see it every day. Many ARE being fooled by false teachings and traditions of humans.

7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 

Ever since Jesus went to the cross, it doesn't matter if you are of the circumcision or uncircumcision, Jew or Gentile blood ordinances are no longer in effect.

8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 

Christ Jesus made Paul an apostle of God.

9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 

When James, Cephas =Peter and John understood the teaching that Christ had given Paul, they gave Paul and Barnabas the "right hands of fellowship" = their support. Peter and the apostles went to the circumcision = the house of Judah and Paul, the Gentiles and ten tribes that had been scattered. We see Paul calls Peter "Cephas", the same name Christ Jesus called Peter. Aramaic = "rock", Ref.- John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, He said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. These will be spread out that The Word will be heard by all even to this day.

10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. 

Paul was a tent maker, working for his pay while preaching The Word of God. This way all the money went where it should.

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 

What had happened was Peter sat and ate what the Gentiles ate, which was against the Jewish laws.

12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 

Peter was going with the flow and impressing the elders, Paul didn't like it. God doesn't like people pleasers when they go against whats right. This is about cleanliness and the washing of hands and preparing certain meats. Peter didn't wash his hands and would eat whatever was made.

13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  

The thought here is, why would we try to force anyone to do anything. If that was our purpose, this life wouldn't be necessary and God would force us to be what we SHOULD be.

15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  

We ALL fall and it's hard to follow the law to its fullest, this is why we have Christ Jesus and the sacrifice He gave, that we can come to Him with a change of heart.

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 

If we are justified by the blood of Christ, does that mean Christ was sinful? NO! Salvation comes only through the blood of Christ, belief and in a repented heart.

18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 

My accepting Christ, believing His Word, then going back to the ordinances I would make myself a transgressor if I bring those old ceremonies and blood rituals back into my life. You can't have it both ways. It's Christ or the world.

19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 

If we didn't have Christ we would all never make it. That's the flesh for ya! The law is still with us today, we have Christ instead of a ritual for forgiveness. Matthew 5:17  Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

This flesh is weak, but while in this flesh we = Christians live with Him in our hearts and minds. We live to follow His Words in life as it gives life. I am crucified with Christ, raised new everyday. Persecuted, but able to fight the good fight, because of the power He gives me.  1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.   2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

If we are to live by the law, then everything Christ did for us was for not. This is the same example I give for those that believe you must be baptized to be saved. It is through His blood we are saved!