Paul is upset!
At the way Peter has been acting!
Some of the time (while in Antioch with Paul) the famous Jerusalem Apostle would eat with the Gentiles, apparently “no questions asked.” Then at other times (depending on who was in town, especially certain “believers” from James’ coalition) … Peter would not “touch” a bite of Gentile food!
Inconsistent!
Partial!
Politics at Church!
So Paul confronts Peter, face-to-face!
Paul remembers the event in some detail! “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?” Galatians 2:14
The key word here is the verb “compellest.”
If Peter (at times) ate just like the Gentiles did, so as not to offend them. So as to show them parity in the family of God, equal-footing with the Jews! Then WHY, at other times, would you do an “about-face” … and require the Gentiles to then live (eat) like the Jews! With all the stipulations of the Mosaic dietary laws?
Makes no sense!
In fact, it appears Peter was “compelling” this legalistic behaviour (these specific eating habits) upon the newly saved Gentile Brethren!
And again, that made Paul “hot under the collar!”
The verb is “anagkazo,” translated “compellest,” as I said. It means “to force.” Or “to drive” a person (here) to a certain course of action!
And that today is the “heart” of our lesson.
Willingly serving Jesus … a beautiful expression of love for our Lord!
Coercing and bullying and browbeating a person into serving God … not such a beautiful expression!
God longs for a willing people!
Do what you do for Jesus … out of a free (cheerful) heart of gratefulness. “Not by constraint,” Peter himself once said! (In 1st Peter 5:2, matter of fact)
TO FORCE “CHRISTIAN” BEHAVIOUR, DICTATING SOME PARTICULAR DEED, IS NOT A WISE PATH TO FOLLOW!
In my eyes, the Holy Spirit is a Gentleman, not a Taskmaster! I am talking about God the Holy Spirit!
Way back in Exodus 25:2 (the first mention in the whole Bible of the word “willingly”) God taught: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” Long ago, when Israel was just beginning to amass the materials for the Tabernacle in the wilderness!
Do things for Jesus today, willingly!
And as you pursue your daily life for Him … DO NOT let anyone force you into a mode of behaviour you’re not convinced is right! Christian leaders are NOT bosses over God’s heritage!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell