Note 10 at Gal. 2:5: The Greek word that was translated "gave place" literally means, "to be weak, i.e. yield." How was it that Paul showed himself strong and refused to yield to these "false brethren"? He never submitted any of his authority to them. That's what he said: "To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour. . ."

Many a leader, in a misguided effort to love everyone, has actually empowered false brethren by giving them recognition. Paul didn't do that and neither should we. We need to heed the instructions of Paul to "lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins. . ." (1 Tim. 5:22).

Note 11 at Gal. 2:5: There is a time for standing strong against those who oppose us, as Paul did here, and there is a time for turning the other cheek, as Jesus instructed us to do in Matthew 5:39. Sometimes, it is very hard to know which is the right reaction. Ultimately, we have to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in each individual case, but Paul gave us a general rule to follow in this passage of scripture. He declared that the motivation for his actions against these "false brethren" was not selfish.

Paul was not defending his own reputation or sowing strife because of pride-related issues. His only concern was that these Galatians might continue in the truth of the gospel. Pride is always the root of all strife (see note 2 at Acts 4:17, p. 590), and unless we can truthfully say that there is no selfishness in our motives, then we are probably wrong in pressing the issue. At least we should deal with the speck in our own eye before trying to cast the beam out of anyone else's eye (Mt. 7:3-5).

However, pacifism is not always the appropriate reaction either. Paul warned the leaders of the church of Ephesus that there would be grievous wolves come against the flock who they would have to resist (Acts 20:29), and Jesus rebuked the pastors of the churches of Pergamos (Rev. 2:12-17) and Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-29) for not taking action against the false teachers in their churches. Paul's actions here provide us with an example of resisting those who seek to pervert the gospel.

There are many factors to consider, but one of the primary tests must always be our personal motives. Pride, envy, and self-advancement must be ruled out of our motives before we "flex our muscle."