and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
From the start there was a division in the Church: those born Jews clung to the ceremonial law though it was dead in Christ; those born Gentiles embraced pure Christianity. Peter served the former, Paul the latter. That Paul could labor fourteen years among the Gentiles without question from the other apostles proves he depended on none of them, but held equal authority with them all.
AI summary
Commenting on Galatians 2:1-10
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (b) Who by deceit and counterfeit holiness crept in among the faithful.
4. And that because of false brethren. This may mean either that false brethren made it the subject of wicked accusation, and endeavored to compel him; or that Paul purposely did not circumcise him, because he saw that they would immediately make it an occasion of slander. They had insinuated themselves into Paul’s company with the hope of gaining one of two objects.