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Selected Verse: Galatians 2:10 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Ga 2:10	King James	Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
remember the poor--of the Jewish Christians in Judea, then distressed. Paul and Barnabas had already done so (Act 11:23-30). the same--the very thing. I . . . was forward--or "zealous" (Act 24:17; Rom 15:25; Co1 16:1; 2Co. 8:1-9:15). Paul was zealous for good works, while denying justification by them.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

remember the poor--of the Jewish Christians in Judea, then distressed. Paul and Barnabas had already done so (Act 11:23-30).

the same--the very thing.

I . . . was forward--or "zealous" (Act 24:17; Rom 15:25; Co1 16:1; 2Co. 8:1-9:15). Paul was zealous for good works, while denying justification by them.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
Only they would that we should remember the poor - That is, as I suppose, the poor Christians in Judea. It can hardly be supposed that it would be necessary to make this an express stipulation in regard to the converts from among the Gentiles, and it would not have been very pertinent to the case before them to have done so. The object was, to bind together the Christians from among the pagan and from among the Jews, and to prevent alienation and unkind feeling. It might have been alleged that Paul was disposed to forget his own countrymen altogether; that he regarded himself as so entirely the apostle of the Gentiles that he would become wholly alienated from those who were his "kinsmen according to the flesh," and thus it might be apprehended that unpleasant feelings would be engendered among those who had been converted from among the Jews. Now nothing could be better adapted to allay this than for him to pledge himself to feel a deep interest in the poor saints among the Jewish converts; to remember them in his prayers; and to endeavor to secure contributions for their needs. Thus he would show that he was not alienated from his countrymen; and thus the whole church would be united in the closest bonds. It is probable that the Christians in Judea were at that time suffering the ills of poverty arising either from some public persecution, or from the fact that they were subject to the displeasure of their countrymen. All who know the special feelings of the Jews at that time in regard to Christians, must see at once that many of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth would be subjected to great inconveniences on account of their attachment to him. Many a wife might be disowned by her husband; many a child disinherited by a parent; many a man might be thrown out of employment by the fact that others would not countenance him; and hence, many of the Christians would be poor. It became, therefore, an object of special importance to provide for them; and hence, this is so often referred to in the New Testament. In addition to this, the church in Judea was afflicted with famine; compare Act 11:30; Rom 15:25-27; Co1 16:1-2; Co2 8:1-7. The same which I also was forward to do - See the passages just referred to. Paul interested himself much in the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, and in this way he furnished the fullest evidence that he was not alienated from them, but that he felt the deepest interest in those who were his kindred. One of the proper ways of securing union in the church is to have the poor with them and depending on them for support; and hence, every church has some poor persons as one of the bonds of union. The best way to unite all Christians, and to prevent alienation, and jealousy, and strife, is to have a great common object of charity, in which all are interested and to which all may contribute. Such a common object for all Christians is a sinful world. All who bear the Christian name may unite in promoting its salvation, and nothing would promote union in the now divided and distracted church of Christ like a deep and common interest in the salvation of all mankind.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

Only they would that we should remember the poor - That is, as I suppose, the poor Christians in Judea. It can hardly be supposed that it would be necessary to make this an express stipulation in regard to the converts from among the Gentiles, and it would not have been very pertinent to the case before them to have done so. The object was, to bind together the Christians from among the pagan and from among the Jews, and to prevent alienation and unkind feeling. It might have been alleged that Paul was disposed to forget his own countrymen altogether; that he regarded himself as so entirely the apostle of the Gentiles that he would become wholly alienated from those who were his "kinsmen according to the flesh," and thus it might be apprehended that unpleasant feelings would be engendered among those who had been converted from among the Jews. Now nothing could be better adapted to allay this than for him to pledge himself to feel a deep interest in the poor saints among the Jewish converts; to remember them in his prayers; and to endeavor to secure contributions for their needs.

Thus he would show that he was not alienated from his countrymen; and thus the whole church would be united in the closest bonds. It is probable that the Christians in Judea were at that time suffering the ills of poverty arising either from some public persecution, or from the fact that they were subject to the displeasure of their countrymen. All who know the special feelings of the Jews at that time in regard to Christians, must see at once that many of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth would be subjected to great inconveniences on account of their attachment to him. Many a wife might be disowned by her husband; many a child disinherited by a parent; many a man might be thrown out of employment by the fact that others would not countenance him; and hence, many of the Christians would be poor. It became, therefore, an object of special importance to provide for them; and hence, this is so often referred to in the New Testament. In addition to this, the church in Judea was afflicted with famine; compare Act 11:30; Rom 15:25-27; Co1 16:1-2; Co2 8:1-7.

The same which I also was forward to do - See the passages just referred to. Paul interested himself much in the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem, and in this way he furnished the fullest evidence that he was not alienated from them, but that he felt the deepest interest in those who were his kindred. One of the proper ways of securing union in the church is to have the poor with them and depending on them for support; and hence, every church has some poor persons as one of the bonds of union. The best way to unite all Christians, and to prevent alienation, and jealousy, and strife, is to have a great common object of charity, in which all are interested and to which all may contribute. Such a common object for all Christians is a sinful world. All who bear the Christian name may unite in promoting its salvation, and nothing would promote union in the now divided and distracted church of Christ like a deep and common interest in the salvation of all mankind.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Only With only this stipulation. We should remember (μνημονεύωμεν) The only instance in N.T. of this verb in the sense of beneficent care. No instance in lxx. In Psa 9:12, there is the thought but not the word. The poor (τῶν πτωχῶν) The poor Christians of Palestine. Comp. Act 24:17; Rom 15:26, Rom 15:27; Co1 16:3; Co2 9:1. For the word, see on Mat 5:3. In lxx ordinarily of those who are oppressors, or of those who are quiet in contrast with the lawless. The same which (ὃ - αὐτὸ τοῦτο) Lit. which, this very thing. The expression is peculiarly emphatic, and brings out the contrast between Judaising hostility and Paul's spirit of loving zeal. Rev. which very thing.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Of the poor - The poor Christians in Judea, who had lost all they had for Christ's sake.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Only they would that we should remember the poor - They saw plainly that God had as expressly called Barnabas and me to go to the Gentiles as he had called them to preach to the Jews; and they did not attempt to give us any new injunctions, only wished us to remember the poor in Judea; but this was a thing to which we were previously disposed.

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¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

²⁵ But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

¹⁷ Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

²³ Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
²⁴ For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
²⁵ Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
²⁶ And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
²⁷ And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
²⁸ And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
²⁹ Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
³⁰ Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

¹ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
² How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
³ For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
⁴ Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
⁵ And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
⁶ Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
⁷ Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
² Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

²⁵ But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.
²⁶ For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
²⁷ It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

³⁰ Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹ For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

³ And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

²⁷ It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

²⁶ For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

¹⁷ Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

¹² When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.