Matthew Poole and continuators on Galatians 2:9

9 And when James , Cephas , and John , who seemed to be pillars , perceived the grace that was given to me , they gave to me, and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship , that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision .

Iames (called the Less) the Son of Alpheus (before called the Brother of our Lord, as is thought because he was the Son of the Virgin Maries Sister:) whose naming here in the first place spoileth the Papists argument for Peters primacy, because in some other places he is first named.

That is, Peter, called here Cephas in the Syriack; possibly because he is named with others, who had Syriack Names; in most places he is by this Apostle called Peter.

Iohn the Apostle and Evangelist, who is also known by the Name ofthe Beloved Disciple.

Paul in saying they seemed to be Pillars, doth not deny them to be so; being such as God made use of in the first founding and building of the Gospel-Church; as also to bear it up, (in the same sense that the Church is called the pillar and ground of truth;) and as by them the Gospel was carried out into the World, but he useth the word seemed, because the false Teachers had magnified their ministry, but disparaged his. When these, he saith

understood the grace given to him; by which, he either understands his Office of Apostleship, or the Crown and Seal of his Offices in the blessing which God had given to his labours amongst the Gentiles.

They looked upon him, and Barnabas, as much Pillars as themselves; and in token of it gave them their right hands, (a token of admitting into fellowship▪ 2 Kings 10.15. Ier. 50.15.) And agreed

that it should be the[illegible: 2 letters] special work to go and preach to the Gentiles, as they, (viz. Iames, and Iohn, and Peter) would make it their special work to preach the Gospel to the Iews.