1 ad Corinthios 2:9

Nova Vulgata

et cum cognovissent gratiam, quae data est mihi, Iacobus et Cephas et Ioannes, qui videbantur columnae esse, dexteras dederunt mihi et Barnabae communionis, ut nos in gentes, ipsi autem in circumcisionem;

Parallel Translations

Clementine Latin Vulgate (1592)
Ideo enim et scripsi, ut cognoscam experimentum vestrum, an in omnibus obedientes sitis.

Jerome's Latin Vulgate (405)
et cum cognovissent gratiam, qu� data est mihi, Jacobus, et Cephas, et Joannes, qui videbantur column� esse, dextras dederunt mihi, et Barnab� societatis: ut nos in gentes, ipsi autem in circumcisionem:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

James: Acts 15:7, Acts 15:13, Acts 15:22-29

pillars: Galatians 2:2, Galatians 2:6, Galatians 2:12-14, Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 21:14-20

the grace: Romans 1:5, Romans 12:3, Romans 12:5, Romans 12:6, Romans 15:15, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Ephesians 3:8, Colossians 1:29, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Peter 4:11

fellowship: 2 Corinthians 8:4, 1 John 1:3

we should: Acts 15:23-30

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:4 - twelve pillars 1 Kings 7:21 - And he set 2 Kings 10:15 - give me Ezra 10:19 - gave their hands Proverbs 9:1 - pillars Matthew 10:3 - James Mark 3:18 - James Luke 6:15 - James John 1:42 - called Acts 1:13 - James Acts 3:1 - Peter Acts 4:36 - Barnabas Acts 8:14 - Peter Acts 9:27 - Barnabas Acts 12:17 - James Acts 13:1 - Barnabas Acts 13:2 - Separate Acts 15:25 - Barnabas Acts 21:18 - unto Acts 26:17 - the Gentiles 1 Corinthians 1:12 - Cephas Galatians 2:7 - when Ephesians 3:2 - the dispensation 1 Timothy 2:7 - a teacher 1 Timothy 3:15 - the pillar James 1:1 - James James 1:26 - seem

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And when James, Cephas, and John,.... These are the persons all along designed, though not till now named. James was the brother of our Lord, the son of Alphaeus, who wrote the epistle that goes by his name, made that famous speech in the synod at Jerusalem,

Acts 15:13, presided in that church, was a man of great holiness, and much esteemed of by the saints, and had a good report of them that were without. Cephas is Simon Peter. This name was given him by Christ, John 1:42 and in the Syriac language signifies a "stone", as Peter does in the Greek, to which our Lord alludes, Matthew 16:18. John was the evangelist, and the same that wrote the epistles, was the beloved disciple, and who outlived all the rest:

who seemed to be pillars; not as the Arabic version, "who thought themselves such", but were esteemed so by others, and very rightly. They were pillars among the apostles of the highest note and greatest eminence among them; they were the very chief of the apostles; for though they were all in the same office, and had the same commission, and were employed in the same work, yet there were some who made a greater figure than others, as these did, and are therefore called pillars; they were more conspicuous, and to be observed, and taken notice of, than the rest; they were pillars in the church, set in the highest place there, and the ornaments of it; see Proverbs 9:1. They are called so for their constancy and stability in preaching the Gospel, and suffering for the sake of Christ; they were steadfast and immoveable in his work, nor could they be shaken or deterred from it by the menaces, reproaches, and persecutions of men; and they were the means of supporting others that were feeble minded, and of defending and maintaining the truths of the Gospel; and were set, as Jeremiah was, as a defenced city, an iron pillar, and brazen walls against all the enemies of Christ, and his Gospel; and were, as the church is said to be, "the pillar and ground of truth". The apostle may have respect to the titles of this kind which were bestowed on the Jewish doctors. It is said d,

"when R. Jochanan ben Zaccai was sick, his disciples went in to visit him; and when he saw them, he began to weep; his disciples said to him, lamp of Israel, עמוד הימיני, "the right hand pillar", c. why dost thou weep?''

So another of their Rabbins is said e to be

"one of the walls, ועמודי, "and pillars" of the school.''

The character better agrees with these eminent apostles, who when they

perceived the grace that was given unto me meaning not so much the grace of the Spirit of God that was wrought in him, or the good work of grace upon his soul, with which the church at Jerusalem, and the apostles there, had been made acquainted some years before; but the grace and high favour of apostleship, which was conferred upon him, and all those extraordinary gifts of grace, whereby he was qualified for the discharge of it; and particularly the efficacy and success of his ministry through the grace of God which went along with it, and was so visible in it:

they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; as a token of a covenant or agreement between them; they took them, as it were, into partnership with them, admitted them as apostles into their society, and gave their full consent, particularly to this article,

that we, Paul and Barnabas,

should go unto the Heathen, preach among the Gentiles;

and they, Peter, and those that were with him,

unto the circumcision, and discharge their office among the Jews; and, to show their joint agreement, used the above rite; and which ceremony was used as among other nations f, so with the Jews, when covenants were made, or partnership was entered into; see Leviticus 6:2 where the phrase, בתשומת יע, "in putting of the hand", and which we render in fellowship, is, both by Onkelos, and Jonathan ben Uzziel, rendered בשותפות יכא, "in fellowship of the hand", or "by the right hand of fellowship"; that being given in token of their agreement and consent to be partners together, to which the allusion seems to be here; or to the making of proselytes, to whom they "stretch out the hand" to bring them under the wings of the Shekinah g, or in token of their being proselytes.

d T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 28. 2. e Ganz Tzemach David, par. 1. fol. 46. 1. f Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 2. c. 19. Cormel. Nepos, l. 2. c. 8. Gale's Court of the Gentiles, part 2. book 2, c. 6. sect. 9. & c. 9. sect. 3. g Vajikra Rabba, sect. 2. fol. 147. 4.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars - That is, pillars or supports in the church. The word rendered “pillars” (στύλοι stuloi) means properly firm support; then persons of influence and authority, as in a church, or that support a church as a pillar or column does an edifice. In regard to James, see the note at Galatians 1:19; compare Acts 15:13. Cephas or Peter was the most aged of the apostles, and regarded as at the head of the apostolical college. John was the beloved disciple, and his influence in the church must of necessity have been great. Paul felt that if he had the countenance of these men, it would be an important proof to the churches of Galatia that he had a right to regard himself as an apostle. Their countenance was expressed in the most full and decisive manner.

Perceived the grace that was given unto me - That is, the favor that had been shown to me by the great Head of the church, in so abundantly blessing my labors among the Gentiles.

They gave unto me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship - The right-hand in token of fellowship or favor. They thus publicly acknowledged us as fellow-laborers, and expressed the utmost confidence in us. To give the right-hand with us is a token of friendly salutation, and it seems that it was a mode of salutation not unknown in the times of the apostles. They were thus recognised as associated with the apostles in the great work of spreading the gospel around the world. Whether this was done in a public manner is not certainly known; but it was probably in the presence of the church, or possibly at the close of the council referred to in Acts 15:0.

That we should go unto the heathen - To preach the gospel, and to establish churches. In this way the whole matter was settled, and settled as Paul desired it to be. A delightful harmony was produced between Paul and the apostles at Jerusalem; and the result showed the wisdom of the course which he had adopted. There had been no harsh contention or strife. No jealousies had been suffered to arise. Paul had sought an opportunity of a full statement of his views to them in private Galatians 2:2, and they had been entirely satisfied that God had called him and Barnabas to the work of making known the gospel among the pagan. Instead of being jealous at their success, they had rejoiced in it; and instead of throwing any obstacle in their way, they cordially gave them the right hand. How easy would it be always to prevent jealousies and strifes in the same way! If there was, on the one hand, the same readiness for a full and frank explanation; and if, on the other, the same freedom from envy at remarkable success, how many strifes that have disgraced the church might have been avoided! The true way to avoid strife is just that which is here proposed. Let there be on both sides perfect frankness; let there be a willingness to explain and state things just as they are; and let there be a disposition to rejoice in the talents, and zeal, and success of others, even though it should far outstrip our own, and contention in the church would cease, and every devoted and successful minister of the gospel would receive the right-hand of fellowship from all - however venerable by age or authority - who love the cause of true religion.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 9. James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars — Οἱ δοκουντες στυλοι ειναι· Who were known to be very eminent, and acknowledged as chief men among the apostles. Luke 8:18, for the meaning of the verb δοκειν, and Galatians 2:6.

Among the Jews, persons of great eminence and importance are represented as pillars and foundations of the world. So Abraham is said to be עמוד העולם ammud heolam, "the pillar of the universe; for by him to this day are the earth and heavens supported." Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 29. "Rabbi Simeon said, Behold, we are the pillars of the world." Idra Rabba, s. 23.

"When Rabbi Jochanan ben Zachai was near death, he wept with a loud voice. His disciples said unto him, O Rabbi, thou high pillar, thou light of the world, thou strong hammer, why dost thou weep?" Aboth. R. Nathan, chap. 24.

So, in Sohar Genes, fol. 5, it is said: "And he saw that Rab. Eleazar went up, and stood there, and with him שאר עמודין shear ammudin, the rest of the pillars (eminent men) who sat there."

Ibid., fol. 13: "These are the seven righteous men who cleave to the holy blessed God with a pure heart, and they are the seven pillars of the world."

Ibid., fol. 21, on the words bearing fruit, Genesis 1:11, it is said: "By this we are to understand the just one, who is the pillar of the world." See Schoettgen, who adds: "These pillars must be distinguished from the foundation. The foundation of the Church is Jesus Christ alone; the pillars are the more eminent teachers, which, without the foundation, are of no value."

The right hands of fellowship — Giving the right hand to another was the mark of confidence, friendship, and fellowship. See Leviticus 6:2: If a soul-lie unto his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, בתשומת יד bithsumeth yad, "in giving the hand."