Gal 2:1-10

At its simplest, Gal 2 can be divided into two sections:
2:1-10 and 2:11-21

Sometimes the first part is divided, 1-5 and 6-10, and the second part can be divided 11-16 and 17-21.

A big picture view of Galatians could take 1:11-2:14 as a unit in which Paul defends the independence of his gospel.

2:1-10
There is a high degree of uncertainty about what Paul was doing for the 14 years mentioned in verse 1. Paul's point is that he was not learning the gospel from the Jerusalem apostles. As Paul received the gospel by revelation, so it is important for Paul to mention that when he goes up to Jerusalem he goes in obedience to revelation.
What do you think Paul means by revelation? Why is it important for us, 2,000 years later?

Paul does not yield his understanding of the gospel, or his practice of Christian living to anyone. I think we must imagine that some have tried to force Titus to submit to circumcision, but Paul has not yielded and Titus could not be forced. In this Paul sees himself as preserving the truth of the gospel.
There are many issues on which Christians may disagree, how can we discern those few areas where we must not yield? What do you think these non-negotiable issues might be?

Paul mentions three pillars of the church: James, Cephas and John, only to tell his readers that they approved of his gospel ministry and this publicly in the giving of the right hand of fellowship. I'm struck that the one positive gospel issue named in these verses is care for the poor. (Not being circumcised is a gospel issue but not a positive one). Too often we omit care for the poor from our top line gospel issues. We may feel willing to stand firm and not yield on the deity of the Lord Jesus, God having spoken in Scripture, forgiveness through the cross - but do we always include care for the poor?
What do we learn about the importance of Christian fellowship from these verses? What is it about the gospel that should impress caring for the poor upon us as a foundational way of Christian living?