For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
12. For before that certain persons came. The state of the case is here laid down. For the sake of the Jews, Peter had withdrawn himself from the Gentiles, in order to drive them from the communion of the Church, unless they would relinquish the liberty of the Gospel, and submit to the yoke of the Law.
Peter came to Antioch eating freely with Gentile believers, as the Spirit had taught him; but when Jewish Christians arrived, he withdrew, and this hypocrisy I had to oppose to his face. His fault proved plainly that he was not superior to me, and so the papacy's claim to his infallibility falls to pieces.
AI summary
Commenting on Galatians 2:11-21
For before that certain came from James,.... The Lord's brother, mentioned before with Cephas and John, who resided at Jerusalem, from whence these persons came; and who are said to come from James, because they came from the place and church where he was, though, it may be, not sent by him, nor with his knowledge.