As Paul continues here his reference to the meeting in Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15, some might think that he writes disparagingly about the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. Those who “seemed to be something”, “it makes no difference to me”, “who seemed to be pillars.” This is absolutely untrue, as Paul was simply using this occasion to again argue for his independent, God given position as an apostle. His standing did not depend upon James, Peter and John and they had nothing to add to the gospel he preached. Despite the efforts of the Judaizers to diminish Paul, he was acknowledged by the other apostles to be an ambassador “toward the Gentiles.”
As such, Paul receive from them the “right hand of fellowship.” Such a shaking of hands was and is now an expression of Christians of our joint participation in the faith of Jesus Christ. Paul was not a usurper, he was an equal partner in God’s work.
Paul was also eager to help the poor, a truth clearly established in the record of scripture, (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9; Rom. 15:26).
