What did Paul mean by the gospel of the circumcision and the gospel of the uncircumcision in Galatians 2:7?
Paul meant two gospel commissions according to audience: the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to him for Gentiles, while the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter for Jews. Scripture calls the circumcision Jews. The same God worked effectually in Peter’s apostleship to Israel and mightily in Paul toward the Gentiles.
Les explains that in Galatians 2:7–9, the uncircumcision is Gentiles and the circumcision is Jews in Scripture. Paul says the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to him, as the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter. Verse 8 shows the same God wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, or Israel, and was mighty in Paul toward the Gentiles. When James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace given to Paul, they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. They agreed that Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen/Gentiles, while Peter, James, and John would go to the Jew.
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
More Questions
To whom was the gospel of the uncircumcision committed, and to whom was the gospel of the circumcision committed?
Paul teaches that the gospel of the uncircumcision (the Gentiles) was committed to him, just as the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter.