What did James, Peter, and John do when they perceived the grace given to Paul?
When they perceived the grace given to Paul, James, Peter, and John—regarded as pillars—gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. They shook on the agreement that Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen, meaning the Gentiles, while they would go to the Jews, the circumcision.
Les explains that James, Peter, and John “seemed” to be pillars—they were not really, but they thought they were. When they perceived or understood the grace given to Paul as the primary apostle, they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship. They shook on the whole deal and all agreed that Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen, that is, the Gentiles, while James, Peter, and John would go to the Jew, the circumcision. Les notes they could only go to the Jew a few more years, because the Romans would overrun Jerusalem, Israel would cease to be a viable entity, and they would be scattered into every nation. For the next few years, Peter, James, and John would hold forth among the children of Israel, though it was practically a lost cause because of Israel’s unbelief. That is why Paul had to constantly defend his apostleship.