Was James part of the circumcision group in Ga 2?

[tonychanyt]

Biblehub placed Paul's conversion in 34 AD.

Galatians 2:

1 After fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.

The Jerusalem Council took place in 48 AD. Paul and Barnabas wanted to consult the Jerusalem church on the circumcision question.

2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.

Paul didn't think circumcision was required for the Gentile believers, but they wanted the opinion of the pillars:

9 When James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

The Council agreed that circumcision was not required for Gentile believers.

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch. Peter/Cephas visited them.

11 When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles.

E.g., Peter had likely eaten in Cornelius' house (Ac 10:28).

But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.

Later, some brothers from James visited Antioch. Peter changed his behavior because of them.

Was James part of this circumcision group? Was Peter afraid that they would report him to James?

I understand the "circumcision group" as the Judaizers. The immediate context suggested that James might be part of this group. However, the broader context did not.

13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

Was James part of the circumcision group?

At the time, the teachings of James, Cephas, John, and Barnabus were a bit more traditional than Paul's. The former focused on Jews, while Paul focused on Gentiles. James was closer to the circumcision group than Paul but he was not part of that group.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

What intrigues me is Paul's reaction to the accusation and proposal from the Jerusalem Church leadership in Acts 21:21-26; he takes up the suggestion of James and the Elders - and executes the purification rites and offerings in the Temple, hereby demonstrating he was NOT teaching Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses (stop doing the Torah).

It's a section of scripture I've never heard a sermon about. Paul clearly agrees with James at that point that teaching Jews (living anywhere) to forsake Mosaic Law would be incorrect.

 

[KevinT]

Was James part of the circumcision group?

At the time, the teachings of James, Cephas, John, and Barnabus were a bit more traditional than Paul's. The former focused on Jews, while Paul focused on Gentiles. James was closer to the circumcision group than Paul but he was not part of that group.

Which James to you think this is? James, the brother of John, and son of Zebedee. One of the other disciples, James the son of Alphaeus? Or James, the brother of Jesus? And which was the author of the Book of James in the Bible?

I know it doesn't really matter. Just curious.

KT

 

[tonychanyt]

Or James, the brother of Jesus?

Right, James was a genetic brother of Jesus. He wrote the Epistle of James in the NT.

 

[KevinT]

Right, James was a genetic brother of Jesus. He wrote the Epistle of James in the NT.

I'm not disagreeing, but do you know how we know this?

KT

 

[tonychanyt]

I'm not disagreeing, but do you know how we know this?

Good question. No one knows for sure. There are different opinions. The Catholics do not think that this James could be a blood brother of Jesus. I weigh different evidences.

 

[Guojing]

What intrigues me is Paul's reaction to the accusation and proposal from the Jerusalem Church leadership in Acts 21:21-26; he takes up the suggestion of James and the Elders - and executes the purification rites and offerings in the Temple, hereby demonstrating he was NOT teaching Jews living among the Gentiles to forsake Moses (stop doing the Torah).

It's a section of scripture I've never heard a sermon about. Paul clearly agrees with James at that point that teaching Jews (living anywhere) to forsake Mosaic Law would be incorrect.

This passage confirmed that, when James made the final decision at Acts 15, it was only gentile believers who were exempted from the Law of Moses and physical circumcision.

The Jews in the little flock who believed must continue to follow the Law.