Galatians 2

Greetings brothers and sisters,

Galatians 2 continues with some history of Paul's ministry along with some interactions he had with fellow apostles; some positive and some confrontational.

The memory passage for is;
Galatians 2:9,14,16a (ESV)
⁹ and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
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?"
¹⁶ yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ,

<sup>**Note. If you have not already memorized vv19-20, I would recommend doing so.

19</sup> For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. ²⁰ 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.

The outline theme is The Gospel of Faith.

The first 10 verses of chapter 2 recount a visit to Jerusalem made by Paul, Barnabas, and Titus. The reason Paul gives is that he received a revelation (2) to go and proclaim the Gospel of Christ, as He was revealed it, to the leaders (those who seemed influential) in Jerusalem. But clearly it was also designed (by God) as a test for those who might be swayed by the Judaizers to hold to circumcision IN ADDITION TO faith in Christ as means of salvation. As Paul describes, the visit was a success in that they were able to establish the true Gospel and refute the Judaizers.

Paul mentions specific men that he interacted with; James (1/2 brother of Jesus, author of James, leader of the Jerusalem church), Cephas (Peter), and John (author of the Gospel and epistles). These 'pillars' perceived the grace given to Paul and extended a hand of fellowship to them as they continued their mission (to the Gentiles). Even though they were 'tasked' to different people, there was a sign of unity under the Headship of Christ.

But this unity was tested when Peter later visited Paul in Antioch. Apparently Peter was enjoying his freedom in Christ (vividly described in Acts 10) until members of the 'circumcision party' arrived from Jerusalem. At this time, he pulled back his fellowship with the Gentiles in fear of the Jewish believers. Paul had to call him on it. His confrontation begins in v14, and some believe continues to the end of this chapter. Basically, Paul calls Peter a hypocrite. His fear of man compromises the unity in the Body of Christ.

Following, in vv15-21, Paul recounts the essentials of the Gospel. Whether Jew or Gentile, no one can be justified (declared righteous) through works of the law. The only way to be justified is by faith in Jesus Christ. This is no license to do as we please one we are 'in'. For because of the law, we must die with Christ and live in Christ in order that the grace of God not be nullified.

His conclusion is piercing; 'for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose' (21).

How does this affect my worship?
If I could only remember the cost He paid when I worship. The line at the end of the song "Here I Am to Worship" sometimes rings through my head; "and I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross". It is my sin that He bore, willingly, on the cross. He died so that I can live. Who am I to think that by doing something, anything, can I add to that work. Any attempt on my part, in worship or otherwise, to add to the work of Christ on the cross is an insult to Him. Lord, please forgive me. Please help my worship be focused more on you, and less on me.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Confrontation and discipline, while extremely unpopular in the church today, are critical to the continued unification of the body of Christ. In a church setting or in the context of discipleship, if we are not willing to confront sin and hypocrisy (always on the foundation of the true Gospel), then we run the risk of losing our witness. It can be done, and must be done, in love and grace; but it must be done. I must be open to do it, and I must be open to receive it. Lord, please help me.

Only by grace, only through faith in Christ alone,

Ethan