Last week we learned about Paul’s passion for sharing the Gospel with the Gentiles (non-Jews) was acknowledged and accepted.  There was a recognition that Paul’s passion to serve the Gentiles was authentic and from God. The same compassion and commitment that Peter had for the Jewish people.

The unresolved issue and challenge was what happens when these two ministries intersect how would they engage and operate, was it even okay.  This week we learn a Biblical approach to concerns. Much like we are instructed by Jesus in Matthew 18, Paul teaches here about getting matters into the light.

Paul Opposes Peter
¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. ¹³ And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” – Galatians 2:11-14 ESV

Justified by Faith
¹⁵ We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; ¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

¹⁷ But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! ¹⁸ For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. ¹⁹ For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. – Galatians 2:11-21 ESV

In the first 4 verses we learn of the context, then we learn how Paul addressed the issue at hand.

What was the situation? What was happening?
Can you share of instances similar to what Paul describes?

Antioch was a very populated trading city, heavily populated by Greeks and Gentiles. When Peter first came he engaged and actually ate with them and attempted to be a part of them and their culture.

But when some Jewish men arrived from Jerusalem, Peter was convicted “drew back and separated himself featuring the circumcision party”

We hope that you don’t get in a situation today where you have to fear a circumcision party, but can you describe some situations where you may have stepped out in faith to do the right thing, but then something or someone diverted the action?

In verse 14, Paul draws the line. He is convicted be the truth he knows in from the Holy Spirit and makes a stand.

Have you ever been in a situation where you. had to draw the line, and take as stand for yourself, family or others?

As we read through 15-21, we see that Paul is a great orator and has the ability to speak publicly about sensitive topics.  He begins by laying the foundation between him and Peter. “We ourselves are Jews”; “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law”; “we also believe in Jesus”.

It needs to be noted that when Paul indicates in verse 15 that the Jews were not Gentile sinners, in some translations it puts sinners in quotes.  It does not mean that the Jews were not sinners.  It means that the are not sinners and Gentiles.  This is important and later reiterated when Paul says in verse 17 “we too were found to be sinners”.  That means regardless of the ancestry, everyone is a sinner (Romans 3:23).

In verse 17, if we did not understand the context it might be a bit disjointed sentence from the rest of the paragraph.  Paul points out the challenge that many Jews were claiming about the Gospel Paul preached causing Jews to break their traditions and sin against the Old Testament. 

Part of the Jewish law included those laws found in the Old Testament. When Paul says that non-Jews (Gentiles) are no longer bound by these laws, he is not saying that the Old Testament laws do not apply to us today. He is saying certain types of laws may not apply to us. In the Old Testament there were three categories of laws.

Ceremonial laws where the primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ. Therefore, these laws were no longer necessary after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Civil laws were dictated by Israel’s daily living (Deuteronomy 24:10-11 for example). Because modern society and culture are so radically different, some of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands should guide our conduct. Some times Paul urged the Gentiles to comply with some of these to promote unity.

Moral laws are direct commands of God, example the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17. It requires strict obedience. It reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies to us today. We are to obey the moral law not to obtain salvation, but to live in ways pleasing to God.

Paul puts a bow on the challenge of Justified by Faith with a life verse of so many…

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20 ESV

May you have a strong week, knowing your position in your relationship with Christ and that how we live is not based on us or a written or ceremonial law, but that of God’s Holy Spirit living in us.

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The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ga 2:11–21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.