It Starts Small

¹⁵ We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” ¹⁶ and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified. ¹⁷ But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! ¹⁸ If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker. ¹⁹ For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live for God. 

Galatians 2:15-19

Paul passionately re-emphasizes the profound truth of justification by faith. He fervently returns to his central theme for Galatians: the transformative power of faith. Jews may have seemed more righteous than the Galatians because of their rich culture. They had abundant “good deeds.” Yet, this facade does not diminish the reality of their own spiritual condition. Paul boldly asserts that true salvation comes solely through faith, not through works or adherence to the law. This is the core doctrine they believed in. They acknowledged it intellectually. However, their application of this doctrine faltered dramatically in practice. Embracing this doctrine in their lives required them to extend the same grace to Gentiles. They needed to recognize that both were lost. Both desperately needed grace. Neither could secure their own salvation.

We can all unite in supporting this doctrine, can’t we? This leads us to a crucial question: Do you harbor disdain for sinners? Are you biased against specific individuals?

 ¹⁷ But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter^[k] of sin? Absolutely not!

Galatians 2:17

Paul passionately emphasizes that he is not endorsing sin. Dining with the Gentiles is far from endorsing their pre-salvation way of life. When Jesus forgave the adulteress, he wasn’t giving her lifestyle a stamp of approval. His compassion was a powerful call to change. He urged her to go forth and sin no more, echoing the very salvation message that Paul fervently proclaimed. Anyone, regardless of their past, can come to Christ! However, upon doing so, they must genuinely turn away from their old ways. They need to sin no more. This change signifies true repentance.

If I rebuild what I tore down I am a transgressor

Paul passionately confronts the traditions of the law, such as circumcision. The apostles had already reached a momentous agreement. Following every rule of the Old Testament law was futile. Those conventions had been rendered powerless in the face of salvation through Christ, which is precisely why He was sent. However, Peter’s actions were, in truth, an audacious attempt to resurrect the very practices that Jesus’ sacrificial coming had abolished. In essence, Paul fervently declares, “Those who deny fellowship with Gentiles advocate for the law and circumcision. They are, ironically, the true lawbreakers! The paramount ‘law’ is the glorious gift of salvation by grace through faith!”

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Cross References:

• Matthew 5:17-18
• Romans 8:3
• Titus 3:7
• Romans 3:28
• Romans 5:9
• Philippians 3:9

Questions to Ponder:

• What does he mean that they since they are Jews by nature, they are not sinners from “among the Gentiles”?
• What do we learn about the Law from this passage? Faith? Works? Justification?
• What does verse 18 mean?
• What does it mean that Paul died to the Law (19?)

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