Paul's victory was complete. Titus, who was with Paul, was not compelled to
be circumcised, although he stood in the midst of the apostles when this
question of circumcision was debated. This was a blow to the false apostles.
With the living fact that Titus was not compelled to be circumcised Paul was
able to squelch his adversaries.


VERSES 4,5. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in,
who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ
Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by
subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might
continue with you.

Paul here explains his motive for going up to Jerusalem. He did not go to
Jerusalem to be instructed or confirmed in his Gospel by the other apostles.
He went to Jerusalem in order to preserve the true Gospel for the Galatian
churches and for all the churches of the Gentiles.

When Paul speaks of the truth of the Gospel he implies by contrast a false
gospel. The false apostles also had a gospel, but it was an untrue gospel.
"In holding out against them," says Paul, "I conserved the truth of the pure
Gospel."

Now the true Gospel has it that we are justified by faith alone, without the
deeds of the Law. The false gospel has it that we are justified by faith, but
not without the deeds of the Law. The false apostles preached a conditional
gospel.

So do the papists. They admit that faith is the foundation of salvation. But
they add the conditional clause that faith can save only when it is furnished