Galatians 2
In Galatians 2, the apostle Paul addresses discussions in Jerusalem between believers of Gentile background and believers of Jewish background about the gospel. He emphasizes the truth of Paul’s apostolic authority, the essence of the gospel, and justification by faith. Paul receives confirmation that the gospel he proclaims is not different from that of the Jerusalem apostles through their meeting and the process that followed. He makes it clear that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from works of the law.
1verseThen after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.
2verseI went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.
3verseBut not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
4verseThis was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage,
5verseto whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.
6verseBut from those who were reputed to be important—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,
7versebut to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcised, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcised—
8versefor he who worked through Peter in the apostleship with the circumcised also worked through me with the Gentiles—
9verseand when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, those who were reputed to be pillars, gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.
10verseThey only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do.
11verseBut when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.
12verseFor before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
13verseAnd the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.
14verseBut when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?
15verse“We, being Jews by nature and not Gentile sinners,
16verseyet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
17verseBut if while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!
18verseFor if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.
19verseFor I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God.
20verseI have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
21verseI don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
The Flow and Structure of the Passage
- Verses 1–10: Confirmation of the harmony of Paul’s visit to Jerusalem and the gospel - When Paul visited Jerusalem with Barnabas and Titus, the apostles recognize the gospel he preached to the Gentiles. He confirms that he does not compel Gentiles to follow legal regulations, especially circumcision.
- Verses 11–14: Conflict with Peter - Paul rebukes Peter for withdrawing from eating with the Gentiles in Antioch when the Jewish people arrived. This shows that distinctions based on the law no longer have meaning within the gospel.
- Verses 15–21: Justification by faith - Paul declares that one is justified not by the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. The confession is emphasized that the old self has died in Christ, and that Christ now lives within us.
The Central Message and Its Meaning
This chapter emphasizes that outward regulations or traditions do not provide salvation. Paul presents evidence that the gospel he received is not different from that of the other apostles, and he once again emphasizes that only faith through Jesus Christ brings justification. This reveals the gospel’s inclusiveness and freedom in breaking down the barriers between Gentiles and Jews at the time.
Points for Reflection
- In your faith life, you may want to check whether you are not too attached to legal forms, and how you view the Lord’s grace and the essence of faith.
- In your relationships with others, you can also reflect on how you treat those who think differently from you, and how you put the gospel’s inclusiveness into practice in everyday life.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s think about whether you fully trust that you are made righteous before God by faith alone, and whether you are still relying more on outward actions.
- It is a time to examine how you enjoy the freedom and joy of the gospel in life, and to consider concrete ways you can practice true unity with members of your faith community who think differently from you.
