We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Thoughts for Today:Jesus said, in Matthew 5:39: "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." How do we know when it's time to stand strong, as Paul demonstrates in our passage today, or turn the other cheek, as Jesus instructed? Sometimes it's really hard to know the right way to react. Ultimately, in each situation we encounter, we need to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, Paul gives us a pretty good place to begin: Be certain the motivation is not selfish. Paul was not trying to defend his reputation, fighting for control of the church, nor creating division within the church as a result of his own pridefullness. His sole purpose was to preserve the truth of the Gospel.
The same is true for us today: Whenever it comes down to preserving Gospel truths there can be no pacifism. In Acts 20:29, Paul warned the leaders of the church in Ephesus: "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock." Jesus also admonished the churches of Pergamum (Revelations 2:12-17) and Thyatira (Revelations 2:18-29) for not taking action against the false teachers in their churches. The consequences for not doing so can be rather severe. In this section of Galatians, Paul provides a clear example of resisting those who try to pervert the truth of the Gospel.
Questions to Ponder:In any situation we encounter there are many factors to consider. However, we should always pay careful attention to our personal motives. Could it be anger, pride, fear, envy or advancement that is causing us to act? Those issues must first be ruled out before we move to "preserve the Gospel".