What do 'uncircumcision' and 'circumcision' mean in Galatians 2?
In Galatians 2, 'uncircumcision' means the Gentiles, and 'circumcision' means the Jews. The context explains the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to Paul for the Gentiles, while the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter for the Jews.
Les explains that in Galatians 2 the term 'uncircumcision' is a reference to the Gentiles, while 'circumcision' refers to the Jews. He points out that Paul writes that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to him, just as the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter. The same God who worked effectually in Peter toward the apostleship of the circumcision was mighty in Paul toward the Gentiles. Les also notes the setting: twenty-two years after Pentecost, Israel was rejecting the prophetic program, and God had raised up Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles. In verse nine, Peter, James, and John are not seen going to Gentiles.
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
More Questions
To whom was the gospel of the uncircumcision committed, and to whom was the gospel of the circumcision committed?
Paul teaches that the gospel of the uncircumcision (the Gentiles) was committed to him, just as the gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter.