Legal Problems - Galatians 2:11-21
The Apostle Paul was known for his boldness and willingness to speak the truth regardless of the cost. In Galatians 2:11-21, he addresses his confrontation with Peter over the issue of circumcision being necessary for salvation. Initially, Peter accepted Gentile believers, but later, afraid of criticism from the Judaizers, he backtracked, refusing even to eat with them. Paul calls Peter a hypocrite, reminding him of their freedom in Christ, no longer under the Law.
In Galatians 2:20, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” emphasizing that freedom; otherwise Jesus died in vain. Theologian John Stott says of this passage: This is without doubt one of the most tense and dramatic episodes in the New Testament. Here are two leading apostles of Jesus Christ face to face in complete and open conflict…When Paul visited Jerusalem, Peter (together with James and John) gave him the right hand of fellowship (verses 1-10). When Peter visited Antioch, Paul opposed him to the face (verses 11-16).
Their exchange shows us what happens when the gospel culture we’re creating goes against the gospel doctrine we proclaim.
Lost Unity: Paul reminds the Galatians - and us - that if we prioritize anything other than the Gospel, we sacrifice our unity in Christ. Peter’s actions denied the truth of the Gospel. He knew everyone is made righteous through Christ’s sacrifice, but he acted as if the Law reconciled us to God. That’s why Paul calls out Peter to his face and why he rages against the false teachers.
Impossible Justification: Paul says we will never be right with God as long as the Law is our priority. The Law cannot save us. This is the great tragedy of legalism: In trying to be more right with God, legalists end up being less right with God.
Threatened Gospel: In Acts 15:10-11 Paul reminds us once again that faith, not works, saves us. Aside from prioritizing the Law over grace, legalism diminishes our freedom in Christ. Paul warns us sternly and repeatedly throughout his letters to guard against Christian legalism because he knew full well, having been a Pharisee, that a life focused on the Law leads to judgment, hypocrisy, and ultimately spiritual death, even for well-meaning Christians.
Threatened Gospel: If the Law is all we need, then Jesus’ death was meaningless. Paul goes so far as to say if you can save yourself, Jesus was a fool to die for us. Why would God send His son to die a painful, humiliating death if we could manufacture our own salvation? In Romans 8:28, Paul states ALL have sinned. The Gospel is about what Jesus did, NOT what you can do.
How would you explain the difference between being moral and being a Christian to someone who thinks being good makes them acceptable to God?
Prioritizing the Law over the Gospel isn’t just an error - it’s heresy. What’s the difference?
How does the Gospel help you see yourself more accurately? How does a right perspective on our own desperate need for God cause us to have compassion for the poor?
Are there people you have not been “eating with” because they are not “like you?”
What self-righteousness lies beneath this attitude?
How can we make the same kind of mistake Peter did?
How can we focus on non-essentials?
How can we fail to “eat” with other Christians? How can we overcome this through the Gospel?
What is one thing God is asking you to do in response to this passage?
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Worship Set: God of the Promise l Take You at Your Word l Same God l Land of the Living