‍Paul rebuked Peter, proving Peter had no special authority

  Gary Hoge  ·  October 28, 2026

‍In Galatians 2:11–14, Paul tells us that he publicly confronted Peter because Peter had stopped eating with Gentile Christians out of fear of criticism from certain Jewish Christians.

‍Some Protestants argue that Paul wouldn’t have dared to confront Peter if Peter had possessed special authority in the Church.

‍But why not?

‍Remember when the prophet Nathan confronted King David over his adultery with Bathsheba and his responsibility for Uriah's death (2 Samuel 12:1–13)? Nathan didn't hesitate to rebuke David, even though David was God's anointed king. But nobody imagines that Nathan's rebuke meant David wasn't really king or that Nathan possessed greater authority than David.

‍So why should Paul's rebuke of Peter mean that Peter had no special authority in the Church?

‍Paul wasn’t challenging Peter’s authority anyway, he was challenging his behavior. Peter knew that Gentile Christians weren’t required to observe Jewish dietary restrictions, but his conduct suggested otherwise, and others were following his example.

‍The fact that even Barnabas was led astray by Peter’s behavior (Galatians 2:13) suggests just how influential Peter was.

‍Paul’s willingness to confront Peter tells us something about Paul’s courage and Peter’s conduct.

‍It tells us nothing about Peter’s authority in the Church.