Why had Paul been brought down to Jerusalem from Antioch in Galatians 2?
Paul was brought down to Jerusalem from Antioch to confront the Jewish believers about his ministry to the Gentiles. They put him on the carpet regarding his ministry to Gentiles, and he had to stand on his own two feet.
Les explains that in Galatians 2, Paul is rehearsing an event that took place about 51 A.D., roughly 22 years after Pentecost. Paul had been brought back down to Jerusalem from Antioch to confront the Jewish believers—those who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ—about his ministry to Gentiles. When they brought Paul down, they literally put him on the carpet as to his ministry to these Gentiles, so he had to stand on his own two feet. In verse 6, Paul refers to the leaders, the disciples, and probably others, saying that whatsoever they were made no matter to him; God accepted no man's purse, and they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to him.
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:
More Questions
Was Paul just venting at the Jerusalem apostles when he wrote about those who seemed to be somewhat?
Paul's statement about "those who seemed to be somewhat" was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not merely as Paul getting back at the Jerusalem leaders personally.