BibleWord.ai› Bible› Galatians› Chapter 2› Verse 10

Galatians 2:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 2:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “only [they would] that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

only [they would] that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.
Galatians 2:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with [the gospel] of the circumcision
8(for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles);
9and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;
10only [they would] that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.
11But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.
12For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision.
13And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation.
← Galatians 2:9Galatians 2:11 →
← Full Chapter 2 Galatians Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Only they would that we should remember the poor, etc..] Not in a spiritual sense, as some have thought, though these the apostle was greatly mindful of; but properly and literally the poor as to the things of this world; and may design the poor in general, everywhere, in the several churches where they should be called to minister, and particularly the poor saints at Jerusalem; who were become such, either through the frequent calamities of the nation, and a dearth or scarcity of provisions among them, and which affected the whole country; or rather through the persecutions of their countrymen, who plundered them of their goods for professing the name of Christ; or it may be through their…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“remember the poor--of the Jewish Christians in Judea, then distressed. Paul and Barnabas had already done so (Act 11:23-30). the same--the very thing. I . . . was forward--or "zealous" (Act 24:17; Rom 15:25; Co1 16:1; 2Co. 8:1-9:15). Paul was zealous for good works, while denying justification by them.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Only they would that we should remember the poor - That is, as I suppose, the poor Christians in Judea. It can hardly be supposed that it would be necessary to make this an express stipulation in regard to the converts from among the Gentiles, and it would not have been very pertinent to the case before them to have done so. The object was, to bind together the Christians from among the pagan and from among the Jews, and to prevent alienation and unkind feeling. It might have been alleged that Paul was disposed to forget his own countrymen altogether; that he regarded himself as so entirely the apostle of the Gentiles that he would become wholly alienated from those who were his “kinsmen…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of the poor - The poor Christians in Judea, who had lost all they had for Christ's sake. Galatians 2:11”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:10 The mention of helping the poor connects this narrative with Acts 11:30; 12:25. The Christians in Judea suffered years of deep poverty, and Paul was eager to have the Gentile churches alleviate some of that difficulty and build unity with the Jewish church (see Rom 15:25-27; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8:1–9:15).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Act 11:29, Act 11:30, Act 24:17; Rom 15:25-27; Co1 16:1, Co1 16:2; 2Cor. 8:1-9:15; Heb 13:16; Jam 2:15, Jam 2:16; Jo1 3:17 Galatians 2:11”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Galatians 2 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification