09/04/2026
Did Paul oppose Peter because of food?
For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.
— Galatians 2:12
This issue didn't relate to unclean or unholy food. It was about eating with uncircumcised men.
And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
— Acts 11:2-3
Paul's prior statement about Titus (a Greek) was also about circumcision.
But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bo***ge.
— Galatians 2:3-4
The liberty in Christ opposes the bo***ge of the flesh. But what is that bo***ge?
Through chapters 3 & 4, Paul speaks on the law. This is what confuses many to believe that the torah (law) itself is the bo***ge. But it's actually circumcision. Circumcision is bo***ge (a yoke of slavery) because it convinces the person of justifying themselves through torah.
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
— Galatians 5:1-6
Torah is not the issue. Not in Galatians or any other letter. As children of YAHWEH, we live lawfully by the motivation of love. Not by the mark on our flesh. Consider circumcision of the flesh like a christian who believes a tattoo of Jesus demonstrates their faithfulness to live like him.
But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Galatians 5:11-14
The whole law... why would the law matter to us if Yeshua rendered it obsolete? Do take notice that Paul quotes Leviticus 19:18
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
— Leviticus 19:18
Why would would that scripture matter to Gentiles if the torah is only for jews? Paul quotes with the intention to calm down his gentile audience, so they don't act in the flesh against jews who still believe that Gentiles need to be circumcised.
The beef wasn't pork. It was about the "physical" difference between Jews and Gentiles.
“We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles;
— Galatians 2:15
The whole purpose of Galatians is for us to understand redemption through the piercing of Christ (Isaiah 53:5) instead of the cutting in our flesh (circumcision).
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
— Galatians 3:3
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
— Galatians 6:8
Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
— Galatians 6:12-13
Egypt and Judah, and Edom and the sons of Ammon, and Moab and all those inhabiting the desert who clip the hair on their temples; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised of heart.”
— Jeremiah 9:26
In conclusion, if you have been crucified with Christ, walk in torah. Not through circumcision but through the Holy Spirit.
