All They Asked

Paul says it was all Peter, James and John asked of him.

Galatians 2:10 caught my eye in a completely new way when I read it last week. This little gem was tucked away and I almost missed it in the midst of Paul’s defense. We’ll get there in just a moment… 

In his letter to the churches in Galatia, Paul responds to the question of his apostolic authority. Effectively, he asserts his calling by reminding the people first that he was appointed by God:

I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
— Galatians 1:12 NIV

He goes on to cite his acceptance by the other apostles as further evidence of his appointment to this office:

On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
— Galatians 2:7 NIV

In the end, Peter, James and John “agreed that [Paul and Barnabas] should go to the Gentiles.” (Galatians 2:9) They added but one caveat to this commission:

 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.
— Galatians 2:10 NIV

To continue to remember the poor.

One thing.

That’s it.

Just one.

Must’ve been important.

Remember the poor. Paul was “eager” to do so. As Christ’s apostles to an unbelieving world, we readily acknowledge our calling to bear witness to His glory and share the Good News.

Are we as quick to remember — and live out — the only other thing that was asked of Paul in his missionary work?