Even Barnabas
“And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.” – Galatians 2:13 NASB
Barnabas had been Paul’s companion on the first missionary journey. When Paul wrote back to the churches of Galatia, he recounted the hypocrisy of Peter and others when certain Jewish men came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Before they came, Peter freely ate with the Gentile brothers. But when those men arrived, Peter drew back and stopped eating with them –acting as if he never had.
Paul related that he had withstood Peter to his face about this, and adds that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.
Is there a warning here for us?
There are times when we too are tempted to keep quiet about something wrong. In writing to the church at Rome, Paul said that the things written afore time, were written for our learning. There are many failures we may learn from by reading the Old Testament, and many more from the New Testament as well. Paul’s account of Peter’s hypocrisy, shows its corrupting influence on others. Our flesh is always inclined to not see the application of scripture to our lives. This goes as far as denying the obvious, because application requires a humbling we are not willing to accept.
When Paul wrote that “even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy”, he reminds us of the weakness of our flesh. Sometimes we say nothing, just like Barnabas. Our failures call for confession. Priderefuses to confess, but a heart that has been humbled to receive the birth from Above, begins to grow up, lowly in heart, and becomes increasingly willing to admit falling short of God’s glory. See Romans 7:18, James 3:2, 1 John 1:8-10. Paul’s rebuke corrected Peter, for Peter later wrote commending Paul, and referring to his letters as scripture. ( 2 Peter 3:15-16.)
We should be aware of the influence of others, and the temptation to say nothing in the presence of wrong. We can become courageous like Paul to confront sin. But we will not entirely outgrow the weakness of our flesh, and our need for Jesus’ forgiveness.
Are our hearts prepared to ask for it?
“So then, am I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” – Galatians 4:16
9/9/04, #41