What would have happened to our salvation if Paul had been stopped by the Jerusalem leaders?
If Jerusalem's leaders had successfully stopped Paul's ministry among the Gentiles, there would have been no chance for our salvation. Paul withstood their pressure so the truth of the Gospel of grace might continue with the Gentiles, allowing Gentile believers to receive it.
Les teaches that Paul was writing to his Galatian converts about the Jerusalem leaders—the twelve and probably some other elders—and the subjection or pressure they placed on him. They were still trying to refute everything Paul said and tell him he was wrong, but Paul said he did not give in, not for an hour, or as we would say, not for a minute. He withstood that pressure so the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles. Les explains that if these Jewish believers at Jerusalem had succeeded in putting Paul down and stopping his ministry among the Gentiles, which is what they really wanted, our chances for salvation would have been none. Paul was true to his commission of taking the Gospel to our Gentile forefathers as well as to us.
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 in to the Jewish believers at Jerusalem?
Paul refused to give in to the Jerusalem leaders so that the truth of the Gospel might continue to reach the Galatian Gentile believers.
How did Paul respond to the Jerusalem leaders who were pressuring him to give in?
Paul did not submit to the pressure from the Jewish leaders at Jerusalem even for a moment; he did not give in to their attempts to refute him and tell him he was wrong.