﻿ Galatians Chapter 2 Continued Explained
Verses 11-13: A brief account of the darkest of days in the history of the gospel. By withdrawing from the Gentile believers to fellowship with the Judaizers who held a position he knew was wrong, Peter had in appearance supported their doctrine and nullified Paul’s divine teaching. Especially the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone (see notes on 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 John 10-11).
Galatians 2:11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."
“Antioch” (see note on Acts 11:19). The location of the first Gentile church.
We see in this, a confrontation between Paul and Peter. Since Paul was primarily ministering to Gentile believers and Peter was ministering to Jewish converts, it would be a natural thing for them to bring different messages. I do not believe this is speaking of that however. It appears there was a definite difference in Paul and Peter's belief.
This is in an area where Paul had preached more. It appears that Peter, from time to time, went around the area and checked on the churches. Many Jews had converted to Christianity, as well as the Gentiles. It appears that Peter was like an overseer.
When Judaizers came, pretending to be sent by James, they lied, giving false claims of support from the apostles. Peter had already given up all Mosaic ceremony (Acts 10:9-22), and James had at times held only to some of it (Acts 21:18-26).
To eat with the Judaizers and decline invitations to eat with the Gentiles, which he had previously done, meant that Peter was affirming the very dietary restrictions he knew God had abolished (Acts 10:15). And thus striking a blow at the gospel of grace.
“Them which were of the circumcision”: This refers to Jewish Christians from Jerusalem who were troubled about the Jewish Christians in Antioch, who were taking meals with gentiles, thus probably eating forbidden foods.
It seems that Peter had eaten with the Gentiles, until these men came from James. Peter withdrew himself (as the Jews had done in times past), from the Gentiles while the men from James were there. You remember, James was the head of the church in Jerusalem, which was almost entirely made up of Jewish converts.
Peter it seemed, did not want a report going back to James of his fellowshipping with the Gentiles. It appears to me, from this that perhaps the teaching of the keeping of the law by the converted Jews has come from James. Peter did not want a bad report going back to James.
Galatians 2:13 "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation."
“Likewise with him”: (Hypocrisy). A Greek word referring to an actor who wore a mask to depict a mood or certain character. In the spiritual sense, it refers to someone who masks his true character by pretending to be something he is not (Matt. 6:1-6). They were committed to the gospel of grace, but pretended to accept Jewish legalism.
"Dissembled" could be said, “acted hypocritically.” The detrimental effect of Peter’s action was to influence other Jewish Christians to separate themselves from their Gentile brethren. Even the spiritual giant Barnabas, who had championed Gentile freedom (in verses 1-9), “was carried away with their dissimulation” (hypocrisy).
“Dissembled” in the verse above, means to act hypocritically in concert with. "Dissimulation" means hypocrisy, deceit, or condemnation. This then, is a terrible accusation of Paul against Peter.
We must remember however, that the church was in its formative stage here. It was very difficult for those who had begun with the law (even Paul), to just be transformed overnight in their thinking, and do an about face on all the things they had been taught. Part of their problem arose from the fact that, they had separate rules for the Jews and the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:14 "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
“Truth of the gospel” (see note on verse 5).
“They walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel:” That is, “They were not acting rightly regarding the truth of the gospel.” The gospel teaches that a person is saved by grace, not by law. Therefore, he is not obligated as a Christian to live under the law.
“Thou … livest after the manner of Gentiles:” Peter was living like a Gentile in that he was mixing freely with Gentile believers and not observing Jewish custom. He was eating Gentile foods. Yet Peter compelled “the Gentiles to live as do the Jews”, in separating himself from them.
It appears to me that Paul is saying, make up your mind whether you are a Jew or a Christian, and live accordingly. Let the Gentiles alone. If they are good enough for God in the condition He called them, then leave them alone. Do not try to make them conform to Jewish customs.
Verses 15-16: Paul’s rebuke of Peter serves as one of the most dynamic statements in the New Testament on the absolute and unwavering necessity of the doctrine of justification by grace through faith (see note on Rom. 3:24). Peter’s apparent repentance acknowledged Paul’s apostolic authority and his own submission to the truth (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
Galatians 2:15 "We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,"
Verses 15-16: Even though Jews are in some respects not outwardly “sinners” like Gentiles, they still know one cannot be justified by observing the law but only by faith in Christ. Paul therefore affirms that “even we” [Jews], “have believed in Jesus Christ” in order to be saved.
Throughout Scripture it refers to God’s declaring a sinner not guilty and fully righteous before Him by imputing to him the divine righteousness of Christ and imputing the man’s sin to his sinless Savior for punishment (see notes on Rom. 3:24; Phil. 3:8-9).
“Works of the law”: Keeping the law is a totally unacceptable means of salvation because the root of sinfulness is in the fallenness of man’s heart, not his actions. The law served as a mirror to reveal sin, not a cure for it (see notes on 3:22-24; Rom. 7:7-13; 1 Tim. 1:8-11).
"Justified", means just as if I had never sinned. Look with me, at the next Scriptures which say it so well.
Galatians 2:17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid."
“Minister of sin: If the Judaizers were right, then Christ was wrong and had been teaching people to sin because He taught that food could not contaminate a person (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:13-15). He also declared that all who belong to Him are one with Him and therefore each other (John 17:21-23).
Galatians 2:18 "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor."
“Which I destroyed”: The false system of salvation through legalism (see note on 1:13), done away with by the preaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
“For” confirms the denial that Jesus, by the doctrine of justification alone, would encourage sin. To “build again” is to reinstate “the things” (the demands of the law), which one previously “destroyed” (i.e., renounced).
Paul declares that “I make myself a transgressor” if he again puts himself under the law which he formerly abandoned. How? The law awakens and incites sin in a man (Rom. 7:7-11). So, to obligate oneself again to the law is to put oneself under that legal system which awakens sin. Christ removes the law, thus delivering him from sin.
“Dead to the law”: When a person is convicted of a capital crime and executed, the law has no further claim on him. So it is with the Christian who has died in Christ (who paid the penalty for his sins in full), and rises to new life in Him, justice has been satisfied and he is forever free from any further penalty (see notes on Rom. 7:1-6).
The purpose of being freed from the law is that the Christian “might live unto” [for], “God.” For the whole of his earthly Christian life the believer is to live for God’s sake, obeying, serving, and glorifying Him.
Sin for the Christian, died on the Lord's body on the cross. We live in Him.
“I am crucified with Christ” (see notes on Rom. 6:2-6). When a person trusts in Christ for salvation, he spiritually participates with the Lord in His crucifixion and His victory over sin and death.
“Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”: The believer’s old self is dead (see note on Eph. 4:22), having been crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:3, 5). The believer’s new self has the privilege of the in-dwelling Christ empowering him and living through him (see notes on Rom. 8:9-10).
Since the believer has been freed from the law and sin, the old sinful life no longer asserts itself as formerly. Instead, “Christ liveth in me;” that is, Jesus cultivates within the believer (Paul), His own desires, virtues, character and power, thus morally transforming him and working through him on others.
Paul lives his current Christian life “by the faith of” [in], “the Son of God,” that is, by depending on Him for strength and all necessities.
Galatians 2:21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
“Righteousness” (see note on Rom. 1:17).
“Frustrate” (nullify): Paul is pointing out that one would deny “the grace of God” by accepting Christ’s atonement and then viewing His atonement as having little value, reverting back to the law in order to secure salvation. “For”, gives the reason Paul does not attempt to nullify God’s grace. It is not owing to “righteousness” [i.e., salvation], “by the law.”
If that were the case, “then Christ” died needlessly. These words bring Paul’s strong rebuke (verses 14-21), of his fellow apostle to a close. Peter’s return to the law, having believed in Jesus, was like an admission that Christ’s sacrifice was inadequate; his hypocrisy diluted God’s grace by attempting to add his works to it.
But Peter’s evident silence in receiving Paul’s reproof shows that he acknowledged Paul’s charge as correct. Peter then, recognized Paul’s gospel to be genuine.
Galatians Chapter 2 Continued Questions
1. Who was Paul primarily ministering to?
2. Who was Peter ministering to primarily?
3. What had Peter done before certain men came from James, that he was not doing after they came?
4. Why had Peter done this?
5. What does this indicate?
6. What does "dissembled" mean in verse 13?
7. What is Paul accusing Peter of being?
8. What is one thing we need to keep in mind about these churches?
9. Sometimes, to be able to preach in a certain area, they bowed to the _________ of the people.
10. In verse 14, what does Paul say to Peter?
11. Paul is saying, if these Gentiles are alright with God, _______ ______ ________.
12. What was Paul, by nature?
13. What did the statement "sinners of the Gentiles" mean?
14. Man is not justified by the works of the _______.
15. What does justify mean in the sight of God?
16. Who can be justified by the law?
17. How had even these Jews come to Christ?
19. What does justified mean?
20. By the law is the knowledge of _____.
21. What had Paul concluded from Romans chapter 3 verse 28?
22. What is a Christian?
23. How can a Christian make himself a transgressor?
24. What does transgressor mean?
25. I am dead to the law that I might live unto ______.
26. Memorize and quote Galatians chapter 2 verse 20.
27. What does the author believe about the spirit, the body, and the soul?
28. What would cause the Lord Jesus Christ to be dead in vain?
﻿ Galatians Chapter 2 Continued Explained
Verses 11-13: A brief account of the darkest of days in the history of the gospel. By withdrawing from the Gentile believers to fellowship with the Judaizers who held a position he knew was wrong, Peter had in appearance supported their doctrine and nullified Paul’s divine teaching. Especially the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone (see notes on 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 John 10-11).
Galatians 2:11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."
“Antioch” (see note on Acts 11:19). The location of the first Gentile church.
We see in this, a confrontation between Paul and Peter. Since Paul was primarily ministering to Gentile believers and Peter was ministering to Jewish converts, it would be a natural thing for them to bring different messages. I do not believe this is speaking of that however. It appears there was a definite difference in Paul and Peter's belief.
This is in an area where Paul had preached more. It appears that Peter, from time to time, went around the area and checked on the churches. Many Jews had converted to Christianity, as well as the Gentiles. It appears that Peter was like an overseer.
When Judaizers came, pretending to be sent by James, they lied, giving false claims of support from the apostles. Peter had already given up all Mosaic ceremony (Acts 10:9-22), and James had at times held only to some of it (Acts 21:18-26).
To eat with the Judaizers and decline invitations to eat with the Gentiles, which he had previously done, meant that Peter was affirming the very dietary restrictions he knew God had abolished (Acts 10:15). And thus striking a blow at the gospel of grace.
“Them which were of the circumcision”: This refers to Jewish Christians from Jerusalem who were troubled about the Jewish Christians in Antioch, who were taking meals with gentiles, thus probably eating forbidden foods.
It seems that Peter had eaten with the Gentiles, until these men came from James. Peter withdrew himself (as the Jews had done in times past), from the Gentiles while the men from James were there. You remember, James was the head of the church in Jerusalem, which was almost entirely made up of Jewish converts.
Peter it seemed, did not want a report going back to James of his fellowshipping with the Gentiles. It appears to me, from this that perhaps the teaching of the keeping of the law by the converted Jews has come from James. Peter did not want a bad report going back to James.
Galatians 2:13 "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation."
“Likewise with him”: (Hypocrisy). A Greek word referring to an actor who wore a mask to depict a mood or certain character. In the spiritual sense, it refers to someone who masks his true character by pretending to be something he is not (Matt. 6:1-6). They were committed to the gospel of grace, but pretended to accept Jewish legalism.
"Dissembled" could be said, “acted hypocritically.” The detrimental effect of Peter’s action was to influence other Jewish Christians to separate themselves from their Gentile brethren. Even the spiritual giant Barnabas, who had championed Gentile freedom (in verses 1-9), “was carried away with their dissimulation” (hypocrisy).
“Dissembled” in the verse above, means to act hypocritically in concert with. "Dissimulation" means hypocrisy, deceit, or condemnation. This then, is a terrible accusation of Paul against Peter.
We must remember however, that the church was in its formative stage here. It was very difficult for those who had begun with the law (even Paul), to just be transformed overnight in their thinking, and do an about face on all the things they had been taught. Part of their problem arose from the fact that, they had separate rules for the Jews and the Gentiles.
Galatians 2:14 "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
“Truth of the gospel” (see note on verse 5).
“They walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel:” That is, “They were not acting rightly regarding the truth of the gospel.” The gospel teaches that a person is saved by grace, not by law. Therefore, he is not obligated as a Christian to live under the law.
“Thou … livest after the manner of Gentiles:” Peter was living like a Gentile in that he was mixing freely with Gentile believers and not observing Jewish custom. He was eating Gentile foods. Yet Peter compelled “the Gentiles to live as do the Jews”, in separating himself from them.
It appears to me that Paul is saying, make up your mind whether you are a Jew or a Christian, and live accordingly. Let the Gentiles alone. If they are good enough for God in the condition He called them, then leave them alone. Do not try to make them conform to Jewish customs.
Verses 15-16: Paul’s rebuke of Peter serves as one of the most dynamic statements in the New Testament on the absolute and unwavering necessity of the doctrine of justification by grace through faith (see note on Rom. 3:24). Peter’s apparent repentance acknowledged Paul’s apostolic authority and his own submission to the truth (2 Pet. 3:15-16).
Galatians 2:15 "We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,"
Verses 15-16: Even though Jews are in some respects not outwardly “sinners” like Gentiles, they still know one cannot be justified by observing the law but only by faith in Christ. Paul therefore affirms that “even we” [Jews], “have believed in Jesus Christ” in order to be saved.
Throughout Scripture it refers to God’s declaring a sinner not guilty and fully ri
ghteous before Him by imputing to him the divine righteousness of Christ and imputing the man’s sin to his sinless Savior for punishment (see notes on Rom. 3:24; Phil. 3:8-9).
“Works of the law”: Keeping the law is a totally unacceptable means of salvation because the root of sinfulness is in the fallenness of man’s heart, not his actions. The law served as a mirror to reveal sin, not a cure for it (see notes on 3:22-24; Rom. 7:7-13; 1 Tim. 1:8-11).
"Justified", means just as if I had never sinned. Look with me, at the next Scriptures which say it so well.
Galatians 2:17 "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, [is] therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid."
“Minister of sin: If the Judaizers were right, then Christ was wrong and had been teaching people to sin because He taught that food could not contaminate a person (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:13-15). He also declared that all who belong to Him are one with Him and therefore each other (John 17:21-23).
Galatians 2:18 "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor."
“Which I destroyed”: The false system of salvation through legalism (see note on 1:13), done away with by the preaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
“For” confirms the denial that Jesus, by the doctrine of justification alone, would encourage sin. To “build again” is to reinstate “the things” (the demands of the law), which one previously “destroyed” (i.e., renounced).
Paul declares that “I make myself a transgressor” if he again puts himself under the law which he formerly abandoned. How? The law awakens and incites sin in a man (Rom. 7:7-11). So, to obligate oneself again to the law is to put oneself under that legal system which awakens sin. Christ removes the law, thus delivering him from sin.
“Dead to the law”: When a person is convicted of a capital crime and executed, the law has no further claim on him. So it is with the Christian who has died in Christ (who paid the penalty for his sins in full), and rises to new life in Him, justice has been satisfied and he is forever free from any further penalty (see notes on Rom. 7:1-6).
The purpose of being freed from the law is that the Christian “might live unto” [for], “God.” For the whole of his earthly Christian life the believer is to live for God’s sake, obeying, serving, and glorifying Him.
Sin for the Christian, died on the Lord's body on the cross. We live in Him.
“I am crucified with Christ” (see notes on Rom. 6:2-6). When a person trusts in Christ for salvation, he spiritually participates with the Lord in His crucifixion and His victory over sin and death.
“Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”: The believer’s old self is dead (see note on Eph. 4:22), having been crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:3, 5). The believer’s new self has the privilege of the in-dwelling Christ empowering him and living through him (see notes on Rom. 8:9-10).
Since the believer has been freed from the law and sin, the old sinful life no longer asserts itself as formerly. Instead, “Christ liveth in me;” that is, Jesus cultivates within the believer (Paul), His own desires, virtues, character and power, thus morally transforming him and working through him on others.
Paul lives his current Christian life “by the faith of” [in], “the Son of God,” that is, by depending on Him for strength and all necessities.
Galatians 2:21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
“Righteousness” (see note on Rom. 1:17).
“Frustrate” (nullify): Paul is pointing out that one would deny “the grace of God” by accepting Christ’s atonement and then viewing His atonement as having little value, reverting back to the law in order to secure salvation. “For”, gives the reason Paul does not attempt to nullify God’s grace. It is not owing to “righteousness” [i.e., salvation], “by the law.”
If that were the case, “then Christ” died needlessly. These words bring Paul’s strong rebuke (verses 14-21), of his fellow apostle to a close. Peter’s return to the law, having believed in Jesus, was like an admission that Christ’s sacrifice was inadequate; his hypocrisy diluted God’s grace by attempting to add his works to it.
But Peter’s evident silence in receiving Paul’s reproof shows that he acknowledged Paul’s charge as correct. Peter then, recognized Paul’s gospel to be genuine.
Galatians Chapter 2 Continued Questions
1. Who was Paul primarily ministering to?
2. Who was Peter ministering to primarily?
3. What had Peter done before certain men came from James, that he was not doing after they came?
4. Why had Peter done this?
5. What does this indicate?
6. What does "dissembled" mean in verse 13?
7. What is Paul accusing Peter of being?
8. What is one thing we need to keep in mind about these churches?
9. Sometimes, to be able to preach in a certain area, they bowed to the _________ of the people.
10. In verse 14, what does Paul say to Peter?
11. Paul is saying, if these Gentiles are alright with God, _______ ______ ________.
12. What was Paul, by nature?
13. What did the statement "sinners of the Gentiles" mean?
14. Man is not justified by the works of the _______.
15. What does justify mean in the sight of God?
16. Who can be justified by the law?
17. How had even these Jews come to Christ?
19. What does justified mean?
20. By the law is the knowledge of _____.
21. What had Paul concluded from Romans chapter 3 verse 28?
22. What is a Christian?
23. How can a Christian make himself a transgressor?
24. What does transgressor mean?
25. I am dead to the law that I might live unto ______.
26. Memorize and quote Galatians chapter 2 verse 20.
27. What does the author believe about the spirit, the body, and the soul?
28. What would cause the Lord Jesus Christ to be dead in vain?