Galatians 2

IIB. Paul’s gospel recognized by the Jerusalem apostles (2:1-10) Different beliefs about Paul’s gospel: Judaizers Paul (1:11-2:10) Paul’s gospel came from Jerusalem Paul’s gospel was independent from Jerusalem Later distorted by Paul Later ratified (confirmed) by Jerusalem

IIB. Paul’s gospel recognized by the Jerusalem apostles (2:1-10) Further proof of the independence of Paul’s gospel? (v. 1, v. 6) “after fourteen years” (v. 1) “they added nothing to my message” (v. 6) vv. 3-4: Why is it significant that Titus was not asked to be circumcised? Paul sees the imposition of circumcision on Gentile Christians as a slavery producing betrayal of the freedom Christ has given.

IIB. Paul’s gospel recognized by the Jerusalem apostles (2:1-10) vv. 7-8: What is Paul showing the Galatians about his apostleship compared to Peter’s? So what? just as genuine as Peter’s Therefore, the Galatians should not view themselves as inferior to any group of believers. v. 9: Pillars of God’s temple validated Paul’s apostleship by putting him on an equal footing with other apostles in Jerusalem. Neither Paul nor the Jerusalem apostles had to change their gospel message, but they were fully in agreement.

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) vv. 11-12: Why did Paul rebuke Peter? How do you think Peter’s example made the Gentile Christians feel? second-class citizens in the church UNLESS they followed Jewish ceremonial laws (e.g. dietary laws, circumcision, and holidays and festivals) How would Peter’s behaviour threaten the gospel of justification by faith alone? implied that all Christians had to live like Jews in order to be justified before God.

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 13: How was Peter guilty of hypocrisy? v. 14: Why did Paul need to confront Peter publicly? v. 16: How can someone be justified? Not by works of the law (any human effort by obeying a moral law), but by faith in Jesus Christ

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 16: Can someone depend on both Jesus and their own good deeds for justification? v. 17: Among Jews, Gentiles are known as “sinners.” When Jewish Christians associate with them, they are liable to the charge from traditionalist Jews of becoming “sinners” themselves. Paul dismisses any such charge.

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 18: Paul says that if he rebuilds the OT law, which is abolished now that Christ has come and a new era in redemptive history has arrived, then he has violated God’s will and is deemed to be a lawbreaker. Ironically, the one who is most clearly seen to be a sinner is not the one outside of the law (i.e. the Gentile), but the one who is under it.

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 19: Paul has “died to the law,” probably meaning that he no longer lives in the realm of trying to gain justification by obeying the law and that therefore the law can place no demands on him. Paul died to the law, he says, “so that I might live for God.”

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 19: Paul is no longer under the impossible burden of trying to earn acceptance with God through his own efforts since he has gained God’s approval through the justification that is in Christ (new freedom) So then why does Paul continue to live in a way that pleases God? He wants to (not at all depending on his own actions for justification)!

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 20: Paul’s former “self” (the person Paul was before he trusted Christ) “died.” If it is no longer Paul who lives, does that mean that he has no personality of his own? NOPE (And what proof do we have of Paul’s personality?), but his own personal interests and goals no longer direct his life How does Paul, as a “crucified man,” gain any strength to go on living? As Paul trusts Christ moment by moment, Christ then works in and through Paul to give spiritual effectiveness to all that he does.

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) v. 20: “who loved me and gave himself for me” – What does this say about the intimacy of the crucifixion? not an impersonal, mechanical transaction, but a personal expression of Christ’s love for people as individuals. v. 21: Hypothetically, if people can be justified through the law, what purpose would Christ’s death serve? Why? However, this is something they can never do.

IIC. Paul’s opposition to Peter, to preserve the truth of the gospel (2:11-21) Only the substitutionary, atoning death of God’s Son can deal with the problem of sin. What does this say about the gravity of sin? How should we respond to Jesus’ atoning death? humbly and thankfully accepted as the only way of salvation atone: to make amends for, to make reconciliation

Homework Read Galatians 3.