GALATIANS 2:1-3 DEFEND THE GOSPEL

GALATIANS 2:1-3 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

NSB* After fourteen years may refer to twelve full years plus fractions of the first and last years (1:18). This time span could date from Paul's previous visit to Jerusalem (1:18-19), but more likely from his conversion (1:11--2:14).

NSB* Note References - Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.

Galatians 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

I Went Up Again To Jerusalem; NSB* If Galatians was written before the Jerusalem council, this journey was the one recorded in Acts 11:30. Otherwise it's a reference to the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). 

Jerusalem; See this study under Jerusalem.

NSB* Barnabas is a Hebrew nickname meaning "Son Of Encouragement". (see Acts 4:36). Barnabas met Paul briefly in Jerusalem during Paul's first postconversion visit (see Acts 9:26-27). Later they served together in the events narrated in Acts 11:25-30, 12:25, 15:39. Titus is not mentioned in Acts, but he was a convert of Paul's (see Titus 1:4) and an effective ministry associate over a number of years (see 2 Cor. 2:13). 

NSB* Note References - Acts 4:36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [b]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus,

Acts 9:26-27 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Acts 11:25-30 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

Acts 15:39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

Titus 1:4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.

2 Corinthians 2:13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

Moving to Verse 2.

Galatians 2:2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.

Revelation; Dodson denotes - an unveiling, uncovering, revealing

an unveiling, uncovering, revealing, revelation. The Greek word used here is ἀποκάλυψις apokalupsis. This word also has the idea of "disclosure". Strong's G602.

NSB* Revelation here may refer to the prophecy of Agabus in Acts 11:27-30, Or it may refer to a private revelation of the Lord to Paul, perhaps similar to the one he received in Jerusalem earlier (see Acts 22:17-21). Later Jesus appeared to Paul in another vision (see Acts 23:11). 

NSB* Note References; Acts 11:27-30 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 22:17-21 Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting [a]to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

Acts 23:11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, [a]“Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Communicate; Dodson denotes - I lay a case before, impart, communicate, relate I lay (a case) before, impart, communicate, declare, relate (with a view to consulting). The Greek word here is ἀνατίθεμαι anatithemai. Strong's G394.

Them; NSB* May refer to the Jerusalem church at large, or it may refer to "those who were of reputation", presumably the inner core made up of James, Cephas (Peter), and John (v.9). For Paul to have communicated with these leaders privately does not mean he considered altering the gospel, as the following section clearly shows (v 3-10).

In Vain; NSB* In vain does not reflect on the effectiveness of Paul's gospel, but rather on his efforts to maintain unity in the church without sacrificing the "truth of the gospel' (v. 5). 

Vain here has the idea of empty (literally or figuratively). Vine's defines it under "empty" as metaphorically, of preaching (id); and other forms of Christian activity and labor, 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:5.  Vine's (def B-1), Strong's G2756.

Moving to Verse 3.

Galatians 2:3 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.

NSB* Titus (v.1) was a "test-case" Gentile. The term circumcised introduces a central topic of the Jewish false teachers, one which Paul addresses repeatedly in Galatians (5:3, 3, 6). Unlike Timothy, whom Paul had circumcised because Timothy's mother was Jewish, Titus was not circumcised. Circumcising him would have been a sign to all other Gentiles that following Jewish law was required for a person to become a Christian. As Paul explains in this letter, that would be a rejection of the good news that salvation is God's gift to those who believe in His Son. 

My Notes: Because I hope to get to all of Galatians, I won't type out every Galatians reference that is to come. 

Circumcised; to cut around, i.e. (specially) to circumcise. The Greek word here is περιτέμνω peritemnō. Thayer - The rite of circumcision a man was separated from the unclean world and dedicated to God, the word is transferred to denote the extinguishing of lusts and the removal of sins. Strong's G4059.

My Notes: Circumcision is not mutilation or something to be compared to mutilation. Circumcision does not turn a man into another sex or remove their ability to reproduce. As stated, it has a specific purpose ordained by God and has nothing to do with vanity or cosmetics. 

Takeaways: 1) We are never to bend the gospel to the whims of the day's leaders. In the next few verses Paul is going to get into false brethren he as already facing that sought to pervert the gospel. 

2) This does not mean we don't make an effort to sow unity among the brethren. Both conditions can be true. We can seek to unify the body of Christ while not compromising the message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

*Nelson Study Bible