Galatians -- Chapter 2

PAUL DEFENDS THE GOSPEL

Introduction: In chapter one, Paul had stated the main purpose of his writing this letter (namely, that of defending the gospel of grace, vs. 4-9). He had asserted his claim that his message was God-given, that his apostleship was God-given and that his conversion and regeneration was God-caused.

In chapter two, he defends the gospel of grace at Jerusalem and at Antioch and sets forth arguments against the Legalizers and those that taught Anti-Nomianism.

I. At Jerusalem -- cf. Acts 15

vs. 1.- Paul was sent from the church at Antioch. This was after his first missionary journey. vs. 2.- This was a grave issue that confronted the church. Legalism taught you were saved by accepting Christ and following Judaism which involved circumcision so they were requiring male gentile converts to be circumcised. But God had a man for this grave hour, the apostle Paul, God's chosen vessel to the Gentiles. Acts 9:15.

God led Paul to go to Jerusalem and argue in defense of the pure, unadulterated gospel. He communicated first with the church leaders to see what their position was and thereby to know how best to fight the issue. Paul was not a compromiser and to him the purity of the: church and its teachings were more important than the peace of the church. But when some Jews, probably legalizers, came from Jerusalem, Peter and the other Jews in the church quit associating and eating with the church members who were gentiles. Peter showed a weakness of being a man-pleaser, rather than doing the right thing. In his weakness he led others to sin also. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:12.

vs. 3. Paul had brought Titus, evidently as a test case. He was a gentile Christian. The legalizers attempted to force him to be circumcised.

vs. 4-This verse tells of the legalizers. cf. Jude 4. People aren't saved who add to the gospel.

vs. 5-Paul wouldn't stand for, nor even consider having Titus circumcised.

vs. 6 Paul argued with much disputing. (Acts 15:7, 12) for the pure gospel and said that none were able to add anything to his message of grace.

vs. 7 & 8-Uncircumcision refers to the Gentiles. Acts. 9:15-Circumcision refers to the Jews. I Peter 1:1.

vs. 9 & 10-The church at Jerusalem in this business meeting, decided that Paul's message was the true message of God for this age. This was a local church business meeting and not a church council meeting. The church then sent letters and men forth to tell the church at Antioch what they had decided. Acts 15. The legalizers were soundly defeated.

II. At Antioch

vs. 11-Peter, who has been proclaimed as the first pope, was rebuked at this church by the apostle Paul. Pope's are supposed to be infallible.

vs. 12 & 13 - At Jerusalem it was decided that all are saved by faith in Christ and that Jews and Gentiles were both God's people through Christ and that there was now no difference. Acts 15, esp. vs.9. At Antioch both Jews and Gentiles in the church abided by this decision and Peter was one of them. But when some Jews, probably legalizers, came from Jerusalem, Peter and the other Jews in the church quit associating and eating with the church members who were gentiles. Peter showed a weakness of being rather a man-pleaser than doing the right thing. In his weakness he led others to sin also. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

vs. 14- Paul publically rebuked him. Sin publically committed needs to be publically rebuked and confessed. Paul says, "If you Peter, a jew, have now trusted Christ and are saved just as gentiles, why do you now join with these legalizers and demand that these gentiles must be circumcised before you will have fellowship with them?"

vs. 15- Paul made this statement to show that he and Peter were actually in agreement in doctrine but that Peter was practicing an inconsistent doctrine. Ephesians 2:11-18.

vs.16- Paul here states clearly and unmistakably how a person is saved. Justification means to be cleared of all charges of wrongdoing that have ever been leveled at a person. This is accomplished not by living up to the law but by faith In Jesus. See also verse 21.

vs. 17- "We" refers to Jews. Jews had considered themselves under the Covenant of Promise. Ephesians 2:11-13.

Paul says, "If we Jews have realized we can only be saved by faith in Christ and we have reckoned ourselves sinners so that we could be saved, is Christ the one who made us sinners?

God forbid!

vs. 18-By reckoning themselves sinners and being saved and then partaking of legalistic doctrine, this is transgression, Paul says.

vs. 19-This verse is an answer to Anti-Nomianism. The law put a penalty upon me of death. Romans 6:23; 3:23; James 2:10; Galatians 3:10. The thought here and in vs. 20 is that the law condemned and put to death the sinner when Christ died. He paid the penalty for each one who would one day accept Him as Saviour. In the believers acceptance they become dead to the law in that they no longer can be condemned by the law. Romans 8:1. They are in essence, put to death through the law and are now dead to the law. They do not now have to live by the law but they are to live unto and for God. Galatians 5:6b.

vs. 20-Now believers live by faith, crucifying themselves daily, letting Christ live through them, for He indwells them.

vs. 21- Paul says, I don't confuse the Grace of God, Righteousness can't come by the law, else Christ died in vain. There is no good reason for Christ's death if people could be saved by living up to the law but man cannot be saved that way. Only by grace. Ephesians . 2:8 & 9.