Definition: But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no manâs person:) for they who seemed [to be somewhat] in conference added nothing to me:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Galatians 2:6. It's a really important and complex passage, so we need to understand it piece by piece. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is about Paul’s perspective on being involved with a particular group of people – a group that was considered “somewhat” or “some.” It's about him rejecting a specific arrangement he’d made. Let’s unpack it: “But of these who seemed to be somewhat…” – Paul is acknowledging a group of people, likely a group of Jewish men, who were involved with him. He recognizes they were somewhat present or involved. It's not that they weren't important; he acknowledges their presence. “(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no manâs person:)” – This is where it gets a little tricky and philosophical. "Maketh no matter to me" means "it doesn’t matter to me.” The key here is the word “maketh.” It's not that he doesn’t care; it’s that he doesn’t assign importance or value to them. He’s saying, “It doesn’t matter to me whether they are present or absent." It suggests a kind of detached observation. “God accepteth no manâs person:)” – This is the crucial part. "God accepteth" means God approves or accepts. So, this phrase says that God doesn’t value or assign importance to any person, regardless of their position or role in Paul's life. It emphasizes a fundamental principle: God values individuals for who they are , not for what they do or where they stand. So, putting it all together: Paul is saying that he’s focusing on the essence of the people involved – that is, their character and identity – rather than assigning any particular label or status to them. He's rejecting a situation where he felt obligated to be associated with them, because he believes God values individuals for who they are, not for anything else. Why is this important? This verse highlights several key themes in the letter Galatians: Unity of Christ: Paul is emphasizing that his focus should be solely on Jesus Christ and His mission. He’s rejecting a situation that would have distracted him from following God's will. God’s Sovereignty: It underscores that God is ultimately in control and doesn’t value anything based on human arrangements or relationships. In essence, Paul is saying: “I am focused on the core of things – Jesus, and God’s purpose – and not on any particular group.” --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Connect it to a specific idea in the Bible?