Why did Paul present his gospel privately to the leaders in Jerusalem instead of in the general meeting?
Paul communicated the gospel he preached among the Gentiles privately to those of reputation—the Jerusalem leadership, including Peter, the eleven, and Jewish elders—so he could first delineate that gospel, which left out circumcision and law-keeping, to those who could not comprehend it.
Les explains that Paul says he communicated the Gospel he preached among the Gentiles, but privately to them who were of reputation. They probably met in a small anteroom where just the leaders of the Jerusalem church—Peter, the eleven, and some other Jewish elders—were meeting with Paul and Barnabas. Les points out that if there is a general meeting or conference, and then a meeting with those who had the reputation, the group is the leadership. Paul was first delineating the gospel he preached to Gentiles, which leaves out circumcision and law-keeping, and these Jews could not see or comprehend that. Titus, a Greek with Paul and Barnabas, was not compelled to be circumcised; they held them at bay long enough that he would not be brought under circumcision to be part of the council meeting.
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Where did Paul preach the gospel he communicated to the Jerusalem leaders?
The gospel Paul communicated to the Jerusalem leaders was the same gospel he preached among the Gentiles. He went up by revelation and communicated that gospel which he preached among the Gentiles, a message distinct from the kingdom gospel Peter and the eleven preached to the Jews.
Who were the men 'of reputation' Paul met with in Jerusalem?
Paul met privately with the recognized leadership of the Jerusalem church. That group included Peter and the eleven, and possibly a few other Jewish elders. They were the men 'of reputation'—the church's leadership—who heard Paul explain the gospel he preached to the Gentiles.
More Questions
What gospel did Paul communicate to the Jerusalem leaders?
Paul communicated to the Jerusalem leaders the same gospel he preached among the heathen (Gentiles).
What does Paul mean when he says he 'communicated' his gospel to the Jerusalem leaders?
When Paul says in Galatians 2:2 that they 'communicated,' he means they did not flippantly state their beliefs, but sat down and went over the matter point by point, line upon line.