GALATIANS 2 JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST

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Doug

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Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
2:16 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.
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.

Peter did eat with the Gentiles, but when those from James came he stopped eating with them. The Jews who were part of Paul's ministry were influenced by Peter and stopped eating with the Gentiles in Paul's ministry as well.

In verse 14 above Paul saw the Jews hypocritical behavior and withstood Peter for causing this. Apparently Peter was eating food forbidden under the law with the Gentiles. Paul was saying it was wrong for Peter to compel the Gentiles to now keep the dietary laws.

As a side note, Peter knew God showed him that the unclean foods were cleansed (Acts 10:15) as well as the Gentiles (Acts 10:28).

Paul in verse 17 above says "If while we seek (that is the Jews) to be justified by Christ, we (Jews) also are found sinners" Paul is saying that having been justified by Christ and trying to be justified by the law as well, we are found to be just as much sinners as are the Gentiles.

Paul is saying it isn't Christ making us sin in keeping the law, it is only ourselves, who by the law are shown to be sinners.

Galatians 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
2:20 I am crucified with Christ: neverthless 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.
2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

No one could keep the law for righteousness.

We are not made righteous thru the law, but rather, thru the imputed righteousness of Christ; wherein His righteousness is accounted to us.

We are to reckon, upon belief, that we are baptized into the death of Christ, and in his resurrection; we are to walk in newness of life unto God.