|
Galatians 2:1-10 The Circumcision Controversy Table of Contents The Elders Acceptance of Sha'ul
Galatians 2:1-10 Then after fourteen years I again went up to Yerushalayim, with Barnabah, taking Titus along too. And I went up by revelation, and laid before them that Good News which I proclaim among the gentiles, but separately to those who were esteemed, lest somehow I run, or had run, in vain. But not even Titus who was with me, though a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But as for the false brothers, sneakingly brought in, who sneaked in to spy out our freedom which we have in Messiah in order to enslave us, to these we did not yield in subjection, not even for an hour, so that the truth of the Good News remains with you. But from those who were esteemed to be whatever – what they were, it makes no difference to me, Elohim shows no partiality – for those who were esteemed contributed naught to me. But on the contrary, when they saw that the Good News to the uncircumcised had been entrusted to me, even as Kepha to the circumcised – for He who worked in Kepha to make him an emissary to the circumcised also worked in me for the gentiles. So when Ya'aqob, Kepha, and Yohanan, who seemed to be supports, came to know the favor that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabah the right hand of fellowship, in order that we go to the gentiles and they to the circumcised, only that we might remember the poor, which I myself was eager to do. The "after 14 years" reference is described in Acts 15. Let's find out the situation which Sha'ul is addressing here. Acts 15:1,2 1 Now some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moshe, you cannot be saved." 2 When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the congregation appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with the apostles and elders in Yerushalayim about this point of disagreement. The word minhag (plural is minhagim) comes from the Hebrew ghnm which means "custom". Customs, while not commanded by Scripture, are the common way of life and the accepted practice of people based on the repeating of a behavior induced by some circumstance. The historical record of Scripture references some customs. She died a virgin. Her tragic death gave rise to a custom in Yisrael. Every year Yisraeli women commemorate the daughter of Yephthah the Gileadite for four days (Shoftim [Judges] 11:39,40). And another: Because of everything written in this letter and because of what they had seen and what had happened to them, the Jews took it upon themselves to establish the custom that they and their descendants and all who join them should without fail observe these two days every year, in the way prescribed and at the time appointed. These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants (Esther 9:26-28). Even the pagans had their customs: So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed (1 Melachim [Kings} 18:28). Not to be outdone, and to further establish their own authority to make law and control all Yisrael, the Rabbis concocted their own customs for all Yisrael and made them binding upon all. The requirement upon all Jewish males to wear a kippah (also called a yarmulke or skull cap) is an accepted minhag. Males not wearing the kippah are considered to be transgressing the law. This law for Jewish males also stipulates that one may not walk four cubits without covering his head, nor can one make a blessing without donning a kippah. Another example of a minhag is the conflicting custom of eating beans and rice during the feast of Unleavened Bread. The Ashkenazi Jews forbid the eating, while the Sephardic Jews permit the eating during the Feast. Members of each sect of Judaism are required to obey the custom of the sect they belong to. The absurdity of declaring this custom to be "Law in Israel" is self-evident. Such customs gave rise to a common saying in among the rabbis in Israel, "minhag Yisrael torah hi" which translates as, "a custom of Israel is Torah". Even though the Tanach (Old Testament) lists the commandments and sayings of Elohim as "Torah", the Rabbis have added to "their torah" any of their own established customs! A minhag becomes law in Israel by the sheer fact that the community accepts it as a regular way of life, e.g. yarmulke (kippah) Minhag Contradicts Torah Mishlei 30:5,6 Every word of Elohim is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you, and prove you a liar. Devarim 4:1,2 Now, Yisrael, pay attention to the rules and right-rulings I am about to teach you, so that you might live and go on to enter and take possession of the land that Yahuwah, the Elohim of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add a thing to what I command you nor subtract from it, so that you may keep the commandments of Yahuwah your Elohim that I am delivering to you. Devarim 12:32 You must be careful to do everything I am commanding you. Do not add to it or subtract from it! Minhag Moshe The rabbis took customs that had become law, and in order to give these customs greater weight of authority, they attributed these customs to a famous rabbi. Thus, the “custom of Moshe” was an expression which means, “a minhag which came from (has been attributed to) Moshe” The rabbinical “procedure” for circumcising a Gentile was credited to Moshe "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moshe, you cannot be saved." Titus Circumcised? Why? 3 But not even Titus who was with me, though a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. What circumcision are we talking about here? Titus did not undergo the procedure of circumcision for Gentiles as outlined by the Pharisees, in order that they could not claim him (Titus) as under their authority. Requirements for Goyim Acts 15:19 "Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to Elohim, 20 but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. 21 For Moshe has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath." *** Circumcision of Gentiles is NOT a requirement for becoming a Talmid of Yahusha’. *** What is Important? 1 Cor 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Instead, keeping Elohim's commandments is what counts. Gal 5:6 For in Messiah Yahusha' neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight--the only thing that matters is faith working through love. Gal 6:15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation! Circumcision: Yes or No? Acts 16:1 He also came to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but whose father was a Greek. Galatians 2:2 The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Yehudim who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek. The Circumcision of Timothy Titus was not circumcised, Tim was! Hypocrisy? Apparently! Until you understand… Titus was Greek. Tim had a Greek father but a Hebrew mother and grandmother. 2t15 Timothy was already familiar with Torah and thus was compelled to be circumcised. This was a circumcision not done after the manner of the Pharisees. Subjection to Pharisaic Authority? 4 But as for the false brothers, sneakingly brought in, who sneaked in to spy out our freedom which we have in Messiah in order to enslave us, 5 to these we did not yield in subjection, not even for an hour, so that the truth of the Good News remains with you. What is this “freedom”? Doing their circumcision would have subjected that one to Pharisaic authority. One would then have to do “all the oral law” while submitting to their rule. Being Subject to Esteemed Men 6 But from those who were esteemed to be whatever – what they were, it makes no difference to me, Elohim shows no partiality – for those who were esteemed contributed naught to me. Shaul did not allow himself to be subject to the oral traditions, customs and laws of the Pharisees, who counted the Oral Torah as greater than the Written Torah – Nor did he allow himself to be subject to the Talmidim of Yahusha’! He did not teach this gospel because “they” taught it. What advantage, then, is there in being a Yehudi, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! (Romans 3:1) The Elders Acceptance of Sha'ul 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the Good News to the uncircumcised had been entrusted to me, even as Kepha to the circumcised – 8 for He who worked in Kepha to make him an emissary to the circumcised also worked in me for the gentiles. 9 So when Ya'aqob, Kepha, and Yohanan, who seemed to be supports, came to know the favour that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabah the right hand of fellowship, in order that we go to the gentiles and they to the circumcised, 10 only that we might remember the poor, which I myself was eager to do. Acts 15:1-20… “they shook hands” Written by David M Rogers www.BibleTruth.cc Published: July 2010 |