Paul’s story continues, this first hand account of his life, his early ministry.
“But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised,” when Paul went to Jerusalem, Galatians 2:3
Accompanying Paul on this visit were both Barnabas and Titus. The former being a Jew and the latter a Greek, a Gentile.
But, with the “pressure” being on … it was expected that Paul would have insisted on the circumcision of Titus, that “nasty” foreigner, at least in the eyes of many in Jerusalem, including many professing believers in Jesus!
But Paul did not believe that a surgical procedure of any kind was an aid to salvation! That such (eternal life) was a GIFT of God! By Grace, through faith!
“Compelled” means “imposed, made necessary,” essentially “forced” into something. “Anagkazo” in Greek, “to constrain, to put under pressure.”
“Circumcised” is “peritemno,” suggesting “to cut all the way around” something. In the Old Testament, it would have been described as “removing a man’s foreskin.” Again, an early example of surgery.
Such might have physical benefits, but no spiritual benefits, not any more! Not with Jesus being Crucified, Buried and Risen!
Paul would not have it, would not subject Titus to such an unnecessary procedure.
And I admire him.
I think there’s no way we truly understand how IMPORTANT this issue was to Paul! God had personally taught him that … saving Grace as bestowed “freely,” upon faith/belief in the Saviour, Jesus God’s Son.
Not by works, even “works of righteousness!” See Titus 3:5 for that last clause.
Amen!
By now, let me point out the amazing wisdom in Paul, too. Or what I’ve called “discernment” in the Lesson title this morning.
The case with another young “preacher.”
Timothy.
Who, by the way, was a Jew, a half Jew anyway (unlike Titus). And Timothy was a “Galatian” as well! Being from Lystra. Read this: “Then came he (Paul) to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and CIRCUMCISED HIM because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:1-3
Here, because Timothy was Jewish (to some degree) … Paul thought it best to have him circumcised. In fact, looks like Paul did the job himself. Paul, being a trained rabbi.
Why?
Lest he offend some of the Jews to whom they would be preaching!
But NOT because it was essential to Timothy’s salvation!
It’s Paul living his old 1 Corinthians 8:13 policy: “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” In other words … if NOT circumcising this young Jewish convert to Jesus would OFFEND my Jewish brothers … I will “give in” and have it done! Lest I offend these weak believers in Christ!
And that, folks, is “discernment!”
I will NOT circumcise the Greek Titus.
I WILL circumcise the Jew Timothy.
But in neither case for soteriological reasons! For anything concerning salvation!
But for cultural reasons!
Again: “Wherefore, if meat (or circumcision or anything else) make my brother to offend (stumble), I will eat no flesh (or do any other minor, marginal thing) while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” 1 Corinthians 8:13
Wow!
Discernment, for sure.
Readers, everything in the Christian life is not “cut-and-dried.”
There is room for some latitude in one’s behaviour.
On non-essential, sometimes cultural, issues.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
May God give us wisdom in such situations.