Charles Ellicott Commentary Galatians 2:3

"But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:" — Galatians 2:3 (ASV)

But neither Titus . . .—This and the two following verses are parenthetical. The result of the private conference with the Judaic Apostles is not given until Galatians 2:7; but without waiting for this, the Apostle turns aside to give one emphatic piece of evidence that his practice regarding the Gentile converts was not interfered with. The question of principle was raised in the case of Titus, and there he stood his ground, despite the pressure that was put upon him.

In addition to its bearing on the main argument, there is probably a special reason for this mention of the case of Titus. At the beginning of his second missionary journey, when taking his youthful convert Timothy with him, St. Paul made such a concession to Jewish prejudices as to have him circumcised (Acts 16:3).

We will see later that this gave rise to a charge of inconsistency, which the Judaizing party in Galatia were not slow to make use of (see Galatians 5:11, and Notes there). There was indeed some real inconsistency, but not more than anyone who is engaged in the struggles of active life will constantly find himself drawn into.

The meeting at Jerusalem was a crisis in the history of the Church. The question of principle was at stake. Concession in this matter would have been ruinous and fatal, and the Apostle stood firm. On the other hand, the circumcision of Timothy was merely a practical compromise to smooth the way for the preaching of the gospel in new regions. The Apostle was too wise to incur needless opposition, which would bar the way to essential truths regarding a point that, though in some of its aspects involving principle, was yet in others of quite minor importance. Besides, it should be noted that while Titus was by descent entirely a Gentile, Timothy was, on his mother’s side, a Jew.

Turning to the phraseology of the passage, we may observe that the opening clause would be better translated, But not even was Titus . . . compelled to be circumcised. “Not even” refers to the prominence that Titus assumed from his association with St. Paul in his ministry. This was a special reason for insisting upon his circumcision; and yet he was not circumcised.

Being a Greek.—Rather, a Gentile. It is observed that the Peshito version translated the word rendered here as “Greek” by “Aramæan” or “Syrian.” All idea of pure Hellenic descent has dropped out of it.