Who were the people who 'seemed to be somewhat' in Paul's day, and why were they losing control?

Les explains that Paul is referring to those who 'seemed to be somewhat'—Jewish contemporaries who assumed they were still in charge. Paul says he did not give in for an hour, so the truth of the gospel might continue. These men did not realize the whole Jewish program was slipping away and the Gentile program was ascending—a transition. They thought they were still in control, but they weren't, because it was falling apart. When they conferred, God accepteth no man's person; they compared the Old Testament covenant promises, Paul's revelations, and his commission to go to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace. Especially after Peter remembered God would save Gentiles outside Judaism. They added nothing to Paul because they did not have his revelations; he had more than they did.