MacArthur's commentary on Galatians 2 digs into the persistent battle between the gospel's truth and the falsehoods spread by Satan's emissaries, as foreshadowed in Jesus' parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24–30). Paul, a staunch defender of the gospel, frequently experienced false teachers aiming to undermine his apostolic authority and message. MacArthur emphasizes Paul's warnings to the Ephesian elders about "savage wolves" who would distort the truth (Acts 20:28–30) and his caution to Timothy regarding deceitful teachings (1 Timothy 4:1–2), accentuating the abiding threat of false doctrines within the church. Additionally, in Galatians 2:1–10, Paul defends himself against accusations of being a self-assigned apostle with a different message from Peter and the Jerusalem apostles. MacArthur notes that Paul affirms his gospel, received independently, is identical to that of the other apostles, which they recognized. Paul's trip to Jerusalem, accompanied by Titus, demonstrates his unity with the other apostles. Despite receiving his gospel through direct revelation, Paul's message was consistent with that of Peter and the others, solidifying his legitimacy and the divine origin of his teachings. Also, MacArthur asserts the influence of maintaining the gospel's purity against distortion. Paul's determined defense and alignment with the Jerusalem apostles serve as a proof to the gospel's surviving truth. Moreover, MacArthur probes Paul's campaign to Jerusalem, correlating it with the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, which focused on the debate over Gentile circumcision and adherence to Mosaic Law. The council ultimately affirmed Paul's gospel of grace and denounced the Judaizers' legalistic teachings, ensuring that believers discerned the true gospel of grace. Furthermore, MacArthur highlights Paul's defense of his apostleship and mission to the Gentiles. He offsets accusations from Judaizers by indicating that his mission was as divinely mandated as Peter’s mission to the Jews. This mutual recognition affirmed Paul's gospel as the true message of Christ. MacArthur concludes by maintaining the integral priority of maintaining the gospel's purity against false teachings, pointing out Paul’s enduring defense and the affirmation of his message by the Jerusalem Council.

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