(6) But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: (7) But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (8) (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) (9) 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. (10) Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. (11) В¶ But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. (12) For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (13) And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. (14) But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, 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? (15) We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
I do not think it necessary to swell the pages of the Poor Man's Commentary on the subject, (and which hath long since ceased, as well as all the parties of it), concerning Paul's reproving Peter. It should seem very clearly from the history, that Paul's doctrine, and Peter's, were both essentially, one and the same, on all the grand points of the Gospel. 1 Peter 1:5. They only differed, as to the indulgence Peter had shown to the Gentiles, in relation to common food. Since the Holy Ghost had taught Peter by the vision on the house top, (see Acts 10:9.) that there was nothing common or unclean which God had sanctified, Peter had no longer scrupled to eat with the Gentiles. But, when certain Jews came with James, fearing that these might take offence at this Christian liberty, in accommodation to their prejudices, the Apostle withdrew from them. Had Peter been more firm in this liberty, he would not have incurred the displeasure of Paul. But we learn from it, that great men, and the greatest of men, are but men. No where can we look for perfection, but to the Lord Jesus. And sweetly hath the Holy Ghost caused the frailties of his saints to be recorded, purposely to teach the Church her own nothingness, in her best characters, and that all her excellency is alone in Christ.