Galatians 2:5

5 But we gave no place to subjection [+To whom neither at an hour we gave stead, or place, to subjection], that the truth of the gospel should dwell with you.

Galatians 2:5 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 2:5

To whom we gave place by subjection
Meaning not the apostles, elders, and brethren at Jerusalem, who did not insist upon the observance of the rituals of the law as necessary, but were one and all of opinion that the Gentiles should be free from them; but the false teachers with whom they combated, and would not yield in the least unto, so as to be brought into subjection to their impositions, nor suffer others to yield unto them:

no, not for an hour;
for the least space of time, knowing what advantages and improvements would be made of it, should they allow of the use of these things as necessary for any short time, though it should be agreed then to drop them. This is a way of speaking used by the Jews, when they would express their steady adherence to any principle or practice; of which take the following instance from Gamaliel ^F3:

``it happened to Rabban Gamaliel, that he read the first night he was married; his disciples said to him, master, hast thou not taught us, that the bridegroom is free from reading the Shema, i.e. "hear, O Israel" the first night? he replied to them, I will not hearken to you to cause to cease from me the yoke of the kingdom of heaven, (txa hev wlypa) , "even one hour".''

The reason why the apostle, and others with him, were so resolute and pertinacious in this matter was,

that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you;
with the Galatians in particular, and with all the Gentiles in general, which otherwise would have been in danger of being entirely removed from them, at least of being adulterated and mixed with the Mosaic rites, and the inventions of men; whereas the apostle's desire was, that, the Gospel might be continued with them genuine, sincere, and unmixed, in opposition to the shadows of the law, and the false doctrines of men.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Misn. Beracot, c. 2. sect. 5.

Galatians 2:5 In-Context

3 And neither Titus, that had been with me, while he was heathen, was compelled to be circumcised; [But neither Titus, that was with me, when he was heathen, was compelled to be circumcised;]

4 but for false brethren that were brought in, which had entered to espy our freedom, which we have in Jesus Christ, to bring us into servage. [+but for false brethren, under-brought in, which privily entered to espy our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they should drive us into servage.]

5 But we gave no place to subjection [+To whom neither at an hour we gave stead, or place, to subjection], that the truth of the gospel should dwell with you.

6 But of these that seemed to be somewhat; which they were sometime, it pertaineth not to me [what manner they were sometime, it pertaineth nothing to me], for God taketh not the person of man; for they that seemed to be somewhat, gave me nothing [nothing to me gave].

7 But on the contrary, when they had seen, that the evangel of [the] prepuce was given to me, as the evangel of circumcision was given to Peter [that the gospel of prepuce, or of heathen men, was taken to me, as and of circumcision to Peter];