Albert Barnes Commentary Galatians 2:7

"but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with [the gospel] of the circumcision" — Galatians 2:7 (ASV)

The gospel of the uncircumcision. This refers to the duty of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised part of the world, that is, to the Gentiles.

Paul had received this as his special office when he was converted and called to the ministry (Acts 22:21). They now perceived that he had been specially entrusted with this office, from the remarkable success that had attended his labours.

It is evidently not meant here that Paul was to preach only to the Gentiles and Peter only to the Jews, for Paul often preached in the synagogues of the Jews, and Peter was the first who preached to a Gentile (Acts 10). Instead, it is meant that it was the main business of Paul to preach to the Gentiles, or that this was especially entrusted to him.

As the gospel of the circumcision. This refers to the office of preaching the gospel to the Jews.

Was unto Peter. Peter was to preach principally to the circumcised Jews.

It is evident that until this time Peter had been principally employed in preaching to the Jews.

Paul selects Peter here particularly, doubtless because he was the oldest of the apostles, and to show that he himself was regarded as on a level, regarding the apostleship, with the most aged and venerable of those who had been called to the apostolic office by the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus.

"Contrariwise" (from the verse) means "On the contrary." The term "committed" (from the verse) is akin to "entrusted." Compare the scriptural phrase committed unto me, as the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 2:7).