Why did Paul refuse to give in to the pressure at Jerusalem?
He refused so the truth of the Gospel would continue with the Gentiles, allowing them to remain in God's grace without being weighed down by law-keeping. Giving in would have subjected converts to burdensome legalistic requirements, undermining the freedom of grace.
Les explains that Paul stood against the leaders of the Jerusalem congregation and did not give place by subjection, even for an hour. The pressure concerned the idea that converts had to keep the Law of Moses. Paul did not weaken or have second thoughts. His purpose was that the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles, so they could revel in the grace of God without being weighed down with all the burdens of law keeping. Les also notes that any kind of religion is a burden, and legalistic systems keep people under their thumb rather than giving freedom.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
More Questions
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.
Did Paul give in to the pressure to require Gentile converts to keep the Law of Moses?
The issue at stake in Paul's refusal was the idea that converts must keep the Law of Moses, and Paul did not give in to that subjection, not even for an hour, never weakening or having second thoughts.