What an amazing man, the Apostle Paul!

A “giant” any way you study him!

A leader among men!

Yet he never seemed to get too “big” in his own eyes! Never was “full of himself,” as they say. And never selfish! He wonderfully enfleshed the attitude of humility Jesus modeled so well!

And Paul was generous, nearly to a fault!

In fact, only Paul (not Matthew or Mark or Luke or John) gives us these words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” As in Acts 20:35 … speaking to the Ephesian elders … “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Wow!

Paul had a passion … helping the poor, especially the poor who were “in Christ.” (Actually Paul seems to have had a number of passions! He was just that kind of man, Christian!)

Paul, who certainly was not raised in poverty (proof: being taught in Jerusalem at the school of one of the most illustrious Jewish educators of that day, Gamaliel) … he was willing to become poor … in order preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

This poor … “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:8

This poor … “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:12

This poor … he admits unashamedly that he had been … “in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” 2 Corinthians 11:27

As I said, “poor!”

All this reasoning leads up to today’s Lesson, today’s Bible Text from the Book of Galatians.

The result of Paul’s visit to Jerusalem (fully described in Galatians chapter 2) was the proper conclusion that “Paul’s Gospel,” proclaiming that a sinner is saved by Grace (alone) and not by works (even good works) … was correct, was Holy Spirit authenticated!

Thus as the Meeting came to an end … one request was laid upon Paul and his team … “Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.” Galatians 2:9

Be mindful of the poor, make mention of the poor … implying “help” the poor who apparently lacked (at times) the very essentials of life! The Greek verb: “do not forget” them!

Then Paul added, “the same which I also was forward to do.”

“Was forward” translates “spoudazo,” meaning “was eager,” or “hastened” to do! “Studied” to do! “Labored” to do! (All the foregoing definitions are used in the New Testament by the King James Bible Translators!)

And so, for the rest of his ministry … “Paul remembered the poor!”

Read Psalm 112:9 (the chapter I am preaching verse by verse in a north Carolina Revival this very week) … speaking of the godly man, the blessed men: “He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor!” Unselfish to the core, good Christians!

Or Proverbs 19:17 … “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He (the Lord) pay him again.”

Wow!

Paul once spoke of many saints to whom he ministered as being “in deep poverty!” 2 Corinthians 8:2

And yes … for the rest of his life Paul sought to take up offerings “for the poor saints,” wherever he could locate them!

Particularly in those long ago days … in and around Jerusalem, Judea!

As in Romans 15:26, action taken at Paul’s behest … “For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.”

Here too … 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 … “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality (love offering) unto Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.”

Wow!

Paul and the poor!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Have you “helped” anyone lately?

 

Paul at Jerusalem, presenting the Gospel he preaches … to none other than the original Church “leaders!”

And on top of that, receiving their approval for his “mission” to the Gentiles!

A “whosoever will” Gospel, not a “law of Moses” Gospel! A Gospel emphasizing God’s Grace, not man’s works (even good works)!

And that leads me to today’s Lesson, our Text this morning: “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” Galatians 2:9

“James” here is none other than the half-brother of Jesus! As in Mark 6:3, where the Jews asked about our Lord: “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us?” By this posting, this listing, James may have been the oldest brother, except for Jesus, Who of necessity was Mary’s Firstborn! (James is virtually the same name as the Old Testament Jacob!)

“Cephas” is the Disciple named Peter, being an Aramaic word for “stone.” The equivalent of the Greek noun”petros,” still meaning a “stone, rock.”

And “John” is “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” the writer of the Gospel that bears his name, three short little New Testament Epistles, and the great Book of Revelation! His name means (its Hebrew base) “God is gracious!”

Three Jews … “pillars” Paul called them! “Stulos” means a column, likely of stone, that kind of “pillar.” Stabilizers in the Jerusalem Church! (At least Paul says they “seemed” to be! As if he doubts the need for any “human” pillars! Jesus Christ being the “Chief Cornerstone!”)

Anyway … these godly men “perceived” that Paul was right, had told the truth, was indeed called to preach the Grace of God to the heathen (Gentiles) of the earth! The verb is “ginosko,” meaning “to learn!” I think the Holy Spirit taught them that Paul was authentic!

The “three” consequently … “gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”

Wow!

Though we use that phrase often, “the right hand of fellowship,” it is only found here in the whole Bible! It signifies “agreement, comradery, fellowship!” Sharing some things “in common,” spelled “koinonia” in Greek, “communion!”

And so now … “off go” Paul and Barnabas to preach to lost sinners the availability of Gods’ amazing Gift, soul Salvation through the shed Blood of Jesus!

Paul and his team to the lost Gentiles!

Peter and his team to the Jews!

John 3:16 is till true! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The world, Jews and Gentiles alike!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The “title” to today’s Lesson?

The Gospel originally was heavily (if not exclusively) preached to the Jews!

Nowadays (and for centuries past) the emphasis in evangelism has indeed “shifted!” To the Gentiles, a fact for which we may be glad.

But let us not forget about Israel, for some day (and it may be soon) the preponderance of Gospel preaching will again “shift” back to her!

Because, as Paul wrote (promised) in Romans 11:26-27, quoting Almighty God … “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

Wow!