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.
Certain - men: perhaps James' view (in which he was not infallible, anymore than Peter) was, that the Jewish converts were to observe Jewish ordinances, from which he had decided the Gentiles should be free (Acts 15:19). But these self-called delegates from James were perhaps not really from him. Acts 15:24 favours this: they merely came from the church at Jerusalem under James' bishopric. Still James' leanings were to legalism, which gave him influence with the Jewish party (Acts 21:18-20).
Eat with the Gentiles - as in Acts 10:10-20; Acts 10:48; Acts 11:3-17; according to the command of the vision. Yet this same Peter, who himself preached the Gospel to the Gentile Cornelius, and so nobly vindicated his eating with them, through fear of man (Proverbs 29:25) was faithless to his own so distinctly-avowed principles (Acts 15:7-11). This, too, at Antioch, the stronghold of Christian catholicity, and Paul's center of missionary enterprise. We recognize the same old nature as led him, after faithfully witnessing for Christ, yet for a brief space to deny him. 'Ever the first to recognize, and the first to draw back from great truth' (Alford). An undesigned coincidence between the gospels and the letter in the consistency of his character. How beautifully misunderstandings of Christians are lost in Christ! In 2 Peter 3:15 Peter praises the very letters of Paul which contained his own condemnation.
But when they were come. So A C H. But B Delta F G 'Aleph (') read 'when (he) came in'-namely, some leader among them: Origen says 'James.'
Withdrew, х hupestellen (G5288), imperfect] - 'began to withdraw,' etc.: a gradual drawing back.
Separated, х afoorizen (G873)] - entire severance. First feelings are sometimes best; second thoughts are not best when prompted by self-seeking and fear. Peter betrays his old character (Matthew 14:30).