What is the "truth of the gospel" Paul says Peter was not walking uprightly according to in Galatians 2?
The truth of the gospel is Paul's gospel, the gospel of grace, which sets believers free from dietary rules and regulations. It declares there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile. Peter was not yet ready to recognize that, so he did not walk uprightly according to it.
Les explains that when Paul saw Peter and others not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, the gospel in view is Paul's gospel—the gospel of grace. That gospel sets us free from dietary rules and regulations and affirms there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile. Peter was not yet ready to recognize this. Les then points to II Peter 3:15-16, written near the end of Peter's life, where Peter calls Paul "our beloved brother" and refers to the wisdom given to him.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Who were the people Paul meant in Galatians 2:14 when he said they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel?
The people Paul meant were Peter, Barnabas, and other Jews. They walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel. Paul confronted Peter before them all, challenging the inconsistency of living after the manner of Gentiles while still compelling Gentiles to live as Jews, which was two-faced conduct.
Why did Paul have to confront Peter to his face about walking not uprightly?
Peter was not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel—the gospel of grace. His conduct still reflected dietary rules and regulations that separated Jew and Gentile, and he was not yet ready to recognize that there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile.
More Questions
What does 'the truth of the gospel' mean in Galatians 2?
The truth of the gospel that Paul refers to is Paul's gospel, the gospel of grace.
Why does Paul accuse Peter of being two-faced in Galatians 2:14?
Paul's charge is that if Peter lives after the manner of Gentiles and admits God's grace has set him free from the Law, then he is being two-faced.
Why did Paul call Peter two-faced in Galatians 2?
Paul argued that Peter was being two-faced because he lived like a Gentile and admitted that grace freed him from the Law, yet still required Gentiles to live as Jews.