Who were the men who slipped in to spy on Paul and Barnabas, and what were they checking?
The men were Judaizers, Jewish believers in Christ who still demanded the Law. They slipped in secretly to spy on Paul and Barnabas, especially concerning Titus, a Gentile, checking whether they practiced circumcision and kept kosher dietary laws, aiming to discredit Paul and bring him back under legal bondage.
Les explains that these Jews, identified as Judaizers—most of them now believers in Christ as the Messiah—were going to slip in and spy on Paul and Barnabas, especially in their relationship with Titus, who was a Gentile. They wanted to check out and make sure that circumcision was being practiced. They probably watched how Paul and Barnabas ate, asking whether they were eating kosher. Their purpose was to submarine the apostle and sink him, to put him out of business rather than let him go to the Gentiles with his message. They came in secretly to spy out the liberty believers have in Christ Jesus, wanting to bring Paul back under bondage, which means the Law. They hoped Paul would give in and tell his congregations to practice circumcision, keep the dietary laws, and keep the Laws of Moses.
More Questions
Why did the Judaizers spy on Paul and Barnabas?
These Jews slipped in to spy on Paul and Barnabas, especially in their relationship with Titus who was a Gentile, to check and make sure they were practicing circumcision.