What does Galatians 2:8 say about God working through Peter and through Paul?

Galatians 2:8 states that the same God who wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision was mighty in Paul, not toward the circumcision but toward the Gentiles. It reveals one God working through distinct apostolic ministries, with Peter sent to the circumcision and Paul to the Gentiles.

Les explains that Galatians 2:8 follows the recognition of a great difference of operation. The verse says the one who wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision was the same God who was mighty in Paul, not toward the circumcision but toward the Gentiles. Les points out that God is implied in the verse. This fits the transitional teaching of Acts, where God was bridging from dealing with Israel to dealing with the Gentiles. The gospel of the Gentile was committed to Paul, while the gospel of the Jew was committed to Peter. Les stresses these were not the same gospel, and that the gospel of the grace of God in Christ is not found in Christ's earthly ministry or Peter's preaching in Acts. He notes this was 20 years after Pentecost, and that James is listed first, indicating Peter had lost something.

Galatians 2:8

(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

How did God work in Peter and Paul according to Galatians 2:8?

According to Galatians 2:8, the same God who worked effectually in Peter directed his apostleship to the circumcision, the Jews. That same God was mighty in Paul toward the Gentiles. God thus empowered both men for distinct apostolic missions—Peter to Israel, Paul to the nations.