Who were the false brethren brought into the Jerusalem council meeting to confront?
The false brethren were brought into the Jerusalem council meeting to confront Paul and Barnabas. Titus may be included as well, but the opposition was predominantly directed against Paul and Barnabas. They did not sneak in; they were brought in by influential leaders.
Les explains that the word "brought in" is important: these false brethren did not sneak in, and the leaders no doubt had something to do with it. They were brought into the great council meeting of the Jewish believers at Jerusalem to confront Paul and Barnabas. Titus can be included if you like, but it was predominantly against Paul and Barnabas. Les also connects this to Jude 3-4, showing that false teaching slipping into a congregation or denomination is nothing new; the writers of Scripture were already aware of it.
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
More Questions
Where else in the Bible is the same word about false brethren used that Galatians 2:4 uses?
The little book of Jude uses that same word as Galatians 2:4 about false teachers, and Jude is only one chapter long, located just in front of Revelation, in verses 3-4.
Does the word 'brought' in Galatians 2:4 indicate Peter knew about the false brethren?
The word 'brought' in Galatians 2:4 implies Peter was aware of these false brethren; if the word were absent, one could argue he was unaware.