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.
James - placed first in the oldest manuscripts, before Peter, as being Bishop of Jerusalem; so presiding at the council, (Acts 15:1-41.) He was called "the Just," from his adherence to the law; and was popular among the Jewish party, though not falling into their extremes; whereas Peter was somewhat estranged from them through his conversation with Gentile Christians. To each apostle was assigned the sphere suited to his temperament; to James, tenacious of the law, the Jerusalem Jews; to Peter, who opened the door to the Gentiles, but was Judaically disposed, the Jews of the dispersion; to Paul, who, by the miraculous suddenness of his conversion, had the whole current of his Jewish prejudices turned into an opposite direction, the Gentiles. The spheres were geographical, not personal. For Paul in Gentile lands, though the apostle of the uncircumcision, always preached to the Jews first. Not individually, but collectively, the apostles represented Christ, the One Head. The twelve foundation stones of various colours are all joined together to the one great Foundation Stone on which they rest (1 Corinthians 3:11; Revelation 21:14; Revelation 21:19-20). John got an intimation in Jesus' lifetime of the admission of the Gentiles (John 12:20-24).
Seemed - i:e., were reputed (note, Galatians 2:2; Galatians 2:6) pillars; i:e., weighty supporters of the Church (cf. Proverbs 9:1; Revelation 3:12).
Perceived the grace that was given unto me (2 Peter 3:15) - the private conference issued in Paul's giving them instruction, instead of receiving it from them. Then followed the public conference, (Acts 15:1-41.)
Gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship - recognizing me as a colleague in the apostleship, and that the gospel I preached by special revelation to the Gentiles was the same as theirs. Compare Ezekiel 17:18.
Heathen - the Gentile lands.