Why was remembering the poor important to Paul in Galatians 2:10? Setting the Scene • Galatians 2 records Paul’s private meeting in Jerusalem with James, Cephas, and John. • After affirming Paul’s gospel to the Gentiles, they add one simple request: “They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10) • “The poor” refers first to the impoverished believers in Jerusalem, then by extension to any brothers and sisters in need. The Jerusalem Agreement • Paul and Barnabas will keep preaching Christ to the nations. • The Jerusalem apostles make no demands for circumcision or Law-keeping—only that Gentile converts remember their struggling Jewish brethren. • This single request underscores how care for the needy is woven into the very fabric of apostolic cooperation. Why Paul Highlights the Poor • Authentic Gospel Fruit – Love expresses itself in tangible aid (1 John 3:17). • Unity of Jew and Gentile – Sharing resources displays “one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). • Witness to the World – Outsiders see the reality of Christ’s love (John 13:35). • Obedience to Christ’s Command – “Give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21). – Jesus’ mission statement: “He has sent Me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). • Paul’s Personal Conviction – He already planned a relief offering (Acts 24:17). – He later organizes collections: Acts 11:29-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Romans 15:25-27. • Immediate Need in Jerusalem – A famine (Acts 11:28) and persecution had drained resources. Old Testament Roots • God’s heart for the poor saturates the Law and Prophets: – “You shall not harden your heart… toward your poor brother” (Deuteronomy 15:7-11). – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD” (Proverbs 19:17). • Remembering the poor is not a new add-on; it fulfills long-standing revelation. New Covenant Continuity • The early church shared “so that no one would suffer need” (Acts 4:34-35). • Generosity is a grace work of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22 “love,” 5:13 “serve one another in love”). • Paul treats giving as worship: “the service that you are performing” (2 Corinthians 9:12). Practical Implications Today • Supporting believers in hardship remains a gospel priority. • Local congregations and global partnerships mirror the Jew-Gentile collaboration of the first century. • Giving is not optional philanthropy; it is integral obedience springing from faith in Christ. • Remembering the poor safeguards the church from hypocrisy—faith and works stay linked (James 2:14-17). |
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