Why did Paul refuse to give place by subjection to the Jerusalem leaders in Galatians 2:5?
Paul refused to submit to the Jerusalem leaders for even an hour so that the truth of the gospel—the gospel of grace he preached—might continue with the Gentiles. Had he yielded, Gentile believers would have been left in paganism rather than established in the truth.
Les teaches that Galatians 2:5 is a pivotal verse. Paul says that to the Jerusalem leaders he gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour, for this purpose: that the truth of the gospel—Paul's gospel, the gospel of grace—might continue with you. Les identifies the “you” as Gentiles. He explains that the Jerusalem leaders seemed to be somewhat because at one time they were the leaders, and Jewish believers there had sold land, houses, and possessions and laid the proceeds at the apostles' feet; even Barnabas sold land in Cyprus and brought the resources to Jerusalem. They were in control. But about twenty-two years after Pentecost, Paul writes by inspiration, and they still thought they were the somewhat, but they were not, because their power base was slipping away. Paul stuck to his guns. If it were not for this verse, Gentiles would still be out in paganism.
To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
More Questions
Who were the Jerusalem leaders Paul refused to give place to by subjection in Galatians 2:5?
The 'whom' Paul refused to give place to by subjection were the men in Jerusalem — Peter, James and John and the rest of the apostles — and Paul wrote this by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Who was Paul referring to when he said 'to whom we gave place by subjection' in Galatians 2?
The 'to whom we gave place by subjection' in Galatians 2 refers to the leaders of the Jerusalem congregation.
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.