What did Paul mean when he said he gave no place by subjection even for an hour?
Paul meant he gave no place to subjection—he refused to yield even briefly to the Jerusalem leaders’ pressure and attempts to refute him. He would not submit to their efforts to stop his ministry, so the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles.
Les explains that when Paul says he did not give place by subjection, he is referring to the Jerusalem leaders—the twelve and probably some other elders—who were still trying to refute everything Paul said and tell him he was wrong. They were subjecting him to that kind of pressure, but Paul said, “I didn’t give in. Not for a minute.” The King James says “not for an hour,” but Les says we would say, “I didn’t give in for a minute.” Paul withstood this pressure so the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles. If those Jewish believers at Jerusalem had succeeded in putting Paul down and stopping his ministry among the Gentiles, which is what they really wanted to do, our chances for salvation would be none. Paul was true to his commission of taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, so they could continue to receive the Gospel of grace.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
More Questions
Why did Paul refuse to give place to the law for even an hour?
The purpose of Paul's refusal was that the truth of the Gospel (Paul's Gospel) might continue with the Galatians.
Who was Paul referring to when he said 'to whom we gave place by subjection' in Galatians 2?
The 'to whom we gave place by subjection' in Galatians 2 refers to the leaders of the Jerusalem congregation.