14. walked not uprightly--literally, "straight": "were not walking
with straightforward steps." Compare
Ga 6:16.
truth of the gospel--which teaches that justification by legal works
and observances is inconsistent with redemption by Christ. Paul alone
here maintained the truth against Judaism, as afterwards against
heathenism
(2Ti 4:16, 17).
Peter--"Cephas" in the oldest manuscripts
before . . . all--
(1Ti 5:20).
If thou, &c.--"If thou, although being a Jew (and therefore one who
might seem to be more bound to the law than the Gentiles), livest
(habitually, without scruple and from conviction,
Ac 15:10, 11)
as a Gentile (freely eating of every food, and living in other respects
also as if legal ordinances in no way justify,
Ga 2:12),
and not as a Jew, how (so the oldest manuscripts read, for
'why') is it that thou art compelling (virtually, by thine example) the
Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (literally, to Judaize, that
is, to keep the ceremonial customs of the Jews: What had been formerly
obedience to the law, is now mere Judaism). The high authority
of Peter would constrain the Gentile Christians to regard Judaizing as
necessary to all, since Jewish Christians could not consort with
Gentile converts in communion without it.
JFB.
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