Galatians Chapter 2 Part 3 Practical Aspects Of Justification By Faith

Our Father's glorious work of justification of all who turn to Christ.

Galatians 2:15-16  We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16)  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 

We spent more time in our last post exploring the glorious matter of a repentant sinner being born again and justified by faith in Christ.

This topic is one that each Christian should vigorously study because it fills our heart with great awe and joy.

Those who impose circumcision and law keeping are found to be sinners.

Galatians 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.  

A main point in this chapter is that Peter made an error in judgment when he visited the predominantly Gentile congregation at Antioch.

Peter initially ate with other Gentile believers but he withdrew himself when some were Jews from Jerusalem.

This is why Paul had to confront Peter because God is breaking down the walls of partition between Jew and Gentile.

God showed that there is no difference between the two groups. 

This being the case, why would Peter suddenly revert to separating himself from Gentile Christians?

Requiring Gentiles to be circumcised brings with it the burden of keep the law of God.

God clearly shows that no man is justified by law keeping because all believers are sinners saved by grace. We will fall and commit sin.

Paul's argument is this. If we submit to circumcision while seeking to be justified by faith, we are found to be sinners under the law which can only condemn.

No man descended from Adam ever kept God's law perfectly.

This is why Jesus was born of a virgin so that God is the

 Father and the sin tainted blood of Adam did not flow in Christ's veins.

Thus, Jesus perfectly fulfilled all the righteous demands of the law and always obeyed the will of His Father.

His death is our death because the wages of sin is death, under the law. 

His resurrection is the foundation of our justification by faith.

Thus, how can we submit ourselves to circumcision and doing the law when we will be found as sinners under the law?

Puritan pastor and scholar Matthew Henry (1662-1714) gave us an excellent explanation of this text and the thrust of Paul's reasoning.

"And, if we have thought it necessary to seek justification by the faith of Christ, why then should we hamper ourselves with the law? What did we believe in Christ for?"

"Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? And, if so, is it not folly to go back to the law, and to expect to be justified either by the merit of moral works or the influence of any ceremonial sacrifices or purifications?" 

"And if it would be wrong in us who are Jews by nature to return to the law, and expect justification by it, would it not be much more so to require this of the Gentiles, who were never subject to it, since by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified?”

The law cannot save. It condemns us and points to Jesus Christ our Savior.

Galatians 2:18  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 

This word "transgressor" denotes one who breaks some precept of the Law, who is to be regarded as trampling upon the authority of the Law altogether (See Romans 2:25, 2:27; James 2:9; 2:11)., 

These are the only places in the New Testament where this word occurs. It is the full equivalent to the word sinner (see James 2:17).  

The Spirit gave Christ's apostles the doctrine of justification by faith and salvation by grace based upon the perfect work of Jesus Christ.

Reintroducing the law and circumcision for Jews and Gentiles violates God's doctrine by adding our own works (law keeping) to Christ's redeeming work. 

Doing so would make Peter or Paul into transgressors because the law is holy and we are not. 

Therefore, we will always be convicted of sin because the law cannot justify anyone.

But, when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, His death is counted as our own death under the law.

His resurrection opened the door for the Father to grant eternal life, a new spirit and a new heart to all who trust His Son, Jesus Christ.  

This is why Paul argued so strongly against Judaizers who tried to impose circumcision and law keeping as a condition of salvation.

Christ's death as our substitute is so we can now live for God's glory.

Galatians 2:19  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 

Paul renounced all hope of justification by law keeping and was unwilling to remain under the bondage of it. 

Paul considered himself dead to the law so that he might live unto God. The doctrine of the gospel strengthens and confirms our duty to live a holy life before God.

Paul (and all believers) are dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead (See Romans 7:4-6).  

Our old way of living, old circle of friends, and old activities radically changes when we are born again. 

The old way of life passes away as we are made a new creation in Christ. This life is more acceptable to God more than observance of the Mosaic law. 

A Christian can now live a life that is under the influence of holiness and righteousness towards God.

The glory of Jesus Christ and mighty salvation from sin He brings to us.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

The death of Christ on the cross has shown that there is no hope of salvation by the law. 

We are therefore as truly dead to all expectation of justification by the law, as Christ was dead when he gave up the ghost upon the cross. 

Through Christ alone we live and enjoy a present life pursuing holiness without which no man shall see God. We inherit powerful and wonderful promises of future glory.

Paul is saying to us that it is not of his natural life he speaks, nor of any spiritual things which he has procured. 

Rather his new life is all of Jesus Christ who lives in all the born again believers. 

God made man to be a habitation of His own Spirit and He connects to Jesus Christ and to the Father. 

The law cannot live in us so as to give us a Divine life. The law does not give new birth, but kills by showing every place we fall short of God's holy standard.

Christ lives in us and He is the reason that we can now live to God. 

New life in Christ is a life of the faith of the Son of God. It is by accepting and believing on Jesus Christ as our sacrifice for sin. 

Jesus loves us and He gave Himself for us as an innocent sacrifice unto death, that I might be saved from the bitter pains of death, Hell and eternal condemnation.

Galatians 2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 

Paul is led by the Holy Spirit concluding this portion of a powerful argument against Judaizers who seek to impose circumcision and law keeping on Gentiles.

Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. It is the gift of God not of works so that no man can boast of doing something to gain God's favor.

If it were possible to obtain righteousness by keeping the law of God, then the Son of God, Jesus Christ died in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:12-14  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13)  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14)  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 

Paul's Spirit guided reasoning here is very similar to what he wrote in the great chapter on the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

False teachers claimed that there was no resurrection from the dead. 

Paul said if there is no resurrection then Christ is not risen and all gospel preaching is done in vain. 

All who trusted Christ would still be dead in their sins without His resurrection.

In like manner, if keeping the law of God can make a man righteous before God, then it would not have been necessary for the Son of God to die on a cross.

Thus, we must live this life by faith of Jesus Christ. 

He gives all who repent and trust Him, a new heart, new spirit and a new way of life.

God saved us in order that we might live for His glory, pursue holiness and be His faithful witnesses.

Judaizers and law keeping cannot offer any of these blessings from God.

Paul will have much more to say about this subject as we make our way through the book of Galatians.

What we have learned should cause our hearts to fill up with praise and worship for the Lamb of God, who did the mighty redemptive work needed, to bring us safely to heaven.

Bob