But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
Paul openly confronted Peter face to face at Antioch because Peter was at fault and blameworthy. Before that confrontation Peter had overcome his natural prejudice and sat at table and eaten with the Gentile converts in harmony with the light given him from heaven and the decision of the council. When Jewish believers zealous for the ceremonial law came from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles and changed his conduct toward the converts from paganism. In doing so he dissembled and acted a double, two-sided part that disguised his true convictions and sentiments and evaded the principles of the gospel.
He wavered in doing right from fear of men and desire for their approval, esteem, and to gain esteem. His marked change of conduct made the converts from paganism feel rejected and left a most painful impression on their minds. His example exerted a subverting influence in failing the principles of integrity and violating gospel principles, doing wrong to the church. That influence was followed by many others, even Barnabas, and threatened division in the church.
Paul took a firm stand for the truth he had received from God and held to it despite opposition from Peter, a leading apostle and fellow worker, and others who thought it contradicted their teachings. That truth was that God gives his gifts to all who seek him whether circumcised or uncircumcised and Gentile Christians must not be bound by unnecessary burdens. Peter recognized his error and tried to repair the harm he had done.
The incident shows that even the best of men and leading apostles will make grave blunders and err when left to themselves and not under the Spirit's direct influence. Peter did so despite his previous fall and restoration, his long course of service, his intimate acquaintance with Christ and knowledge of Christ's pure straightforward practice of principle, and despite all the instruction, gifts, knowledge, and great influence he had received in preaching and teaching the Word. His failure therefore reveals human weakness and fallibility, leaving no grounds for boasting and showing he stood no higher than the other apostles and was entitled to no prerogatives belonging only to God.
The verse shows Peter could be publicly opposed and held responsible for his conduct, and his example instead supports equality with his fellow believers rather than an authoritative position over them. It gives no support to the claim that he was the church's supreme head or that he or his successors hold authority belonging only to God. His inability to steer himself safely despite his advantages teaches every man's own personal helplessness to steer his own vessel straight and safely into the harbor alone and continuing dependence on God. The grace of Christ is essential every day and His matchless grace alone can save feet from falling.
The confrontation is recorded so others may profit by it, as a solemn warning to men in high places not to fail in integrity but to keep close to principle and carefully follow the way of the Lord. The more responsibility placed on a man and the higher his position to dictate and control, the more mischief he will do in perverting minds and hearts if he does not do so.
Paul openly confronted Peter face to face at Antioch because Peter was at fault and blameworthy. Before that confrontation Peter had overcome his natural prejudice and sat at table and eaten with the Gentile converts in harmony with the light given him from heaven and the decision of the council. When Jewish believers zealous for the ceremonial law came from Jerusalem, Peter withdrew from the Gentiles and changed his conduct toward the converts from paganism. In doing so he dissembled and acted a double, two-sided part that disguised his true convictions and sentiments and evaded the principles of the gospel.
He wavered in doing right from fear of men and desire for their approval, esteem, and to gain esteem. His marked change of conduct made the converts from paganism feel rejected and left a most painful impression on their minds. His example exerted a subverting influence in failing the principles of integrity and violating gospel principles, doing wrong to the church. That influence was followed by many others, even Barnabas, and threatened division in the church.
Paul took a firm stand for the truth he had received from God and held to it despite opposition from Peter, a leading apostle and fellow worker, and others who thought it contradicted their teachings. That truth was that God gives his gifts to all who seek him whether circumcised or uncircumcised and Gentile Christians must not be bound by unnecessary burdens. Peter recognized his error and tried to repair the harm he had done.
The incident shows that even the best of men and leading apostles will make grave blunders and err when left to themselves and not under the Spirit's direct influence. Peter did so despite his previous fall and restoration, his long course of service, his intimate acquaintance with Christ and knowledge of Christ's pure straightforward practice of principle, and despite all the instruction, gifts, knowledge, and great influence he had received in preaching and teaching the Word. His failure therefore reveals human weakness and fallibility, leaving no grounds for boasting and showing he stood no higher than the other apostles and was entitled to no prerogatives belonging only to God.
The verse shows Peter could be publicly opposed and held responsible for his conduct, and his example instead supports equality with his fellow believers rather than an authoritative position over them. It gives no support to the claim that he was the church's supreme head or that he or his successors hold authority belonging only to God. His inability to steer himself safely despite his advantages teaches every man's own personal helplessness to steer his own vessel straight and safely into the harbor alone and continuing dependence on God. The grace of Christ is essential every day and His matchless grace alone can save feet from falling.
The confrontation is recorded so others may profit by it, as a solemn warning to men in high places not to fail in integrity but to keep close to principle and carefully follow the way of the Lord. The more responsibility placed on a man and the higher his position to dictate and control, the more mischief he will do in perverting minds and hearts if he does not do so.