Galatians 2:12

“For before that certain came from James, etc..] The Lord's brother, mentioned before with Cephas and John, who resided at Jerusalem, from whence these persons came; and who are said to come from James, because they came from the place and church where he was, though, it may be, not sent by him, nor with his knowledge. They were such as professed faith in Christ; they were “judaizing” Christians believing in Christ, but were zealous of the law. Now before the coming of these persons to Antioch, he, Peter, did eat with the Gentiles; which is to be understood, not of eating at the Lord's table with them, but at their own tables: he knew that the distinction of meats was now laid aside, and that…”

“certain--men: perhaps James' view (in which he was not infallible, any more than Peter) was that the Jewish converts were still to observe Jewish ordinances, from which he had decided with the council the Gentiles should be free (Act 15:19). NEANDER, however, may be right in thinking these self-styled delegates from James were not really from him. Act 15:24 favors this. "Certain from James," may mean merely that they came from the Church at Jerusalem under James' bishopric. Still James' leanings were to legalism, and this gave him his influence with the Jewish party (Act 21:18-26). eat with . . . Gentiles--as in Act 10:10-20, Act 10:48, according to the command of the vision (Act 11:3-17).…”

“For before that certain came - Some of the Jews who had been converted to Christianity. They evidently observed in the strictest manner the rites of the Jewish religion. Came from James - See the note at Galatians 1:19. Whether they were sent by James, or whether they came of their own accord, is unknown. It is evident only that they had been intimate with James at Jerusalem, and they doubtless pleaded his authority. James had nothing to do with the course which they pursued; but the sense of the whole passage is, that James was a leading man at Jerusalem, and that the rites of Moses were observed there. When they came down to Antioch, they of course observed those rites, and insisted that…”

“2:12 That Peter ate with the Gentile believers was consistent with what God had shown him (Acts 10:9-16, 34-35). • The friends of James wanted to reassert Jewish scruples and prevent the free communion between Gentiles and Jews from continuing. • Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore: When Peter refused to share regular meals and the Lord’s Supper (cp. 1 Cor 11:20-22, 33-34) with fellow Christians, he divided the Jewish and Gentile Christians and implied that the Jews’ observances made them more acceptable to God. Peter’s example, if uncorrected, would have undermined the Good News of salvation by grace through faith. • He was afraid: The friends of James intimidated Peter, who had…”

“certain: Gal 2:9; Act 21:18-25 he did: Act 10:28, Act 11:3; Eph 2:15, Eph 2:19-22, Eph 3:6 he withdrew: Isa 65:5; Luk 15:2; Th1 5:22 fearing: Pro 29:25; Isa 57:11; Mat 26:69-75 Galatians 2:13”