Peter was Jesus’ personal friend and major influence in the spreading of the gospel. Even so, Paul used the sharp edge of his tongue to criticize what he viewed as Peter’s hypocrisy. A disagreement between Paul and Peter arose when Peter—who usually had no problem eating with Gentiles—held back from eating with Gentiles when certain Jewish leaders visited. Paul wrote that Peter feared offending “the circumcision group.” (NIV, Galatians 2:12)