What was the point of Paul standing firm so that Gentiles could enjoy God's grace?
Paul refused to yield to legalistic pressure so the truth of the Gospel would continue with Gentile believers. His purpose was that Gentiles could keep reveling in God's grace without being weighed down by burdens of law-keeping. Legalistic systems hold people under their thumb through superstition and fear, not freedom.
Les explains that the real Paul stood up to the leaders of the Jerusalem congregation and refused to give place by subjection, not for an hour. He did not weaken or have second thoughts about giving in. Paul's one purpose was that the truth of the Gospel might continue with the Gentiles, so they could continue to revel in the grace of God without being weighed down by 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 through superstition and fear, which is not 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 pressure to give up the Gospel of Grace?
Paul refused to give place to law keeping and circumcision for even an hour, or as we would say, a minute.
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.