#Galatians2 - Gospel Explained

Galatians 2: 

1. What stood out to me from this chapter?

After reading chapter 1, I was left with the question of if/how Paul would actually explain the gospel message to the Galatians in this book. Chapter 2 gives a direct answer to my question, especially the second half of the chapter (verses 11-21). Paul is citing an instance when Peter started behaving as though salvation and justification was through works. But Paul clearly states in verses 15-16 that people are "not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too have put our faith in Christ Jesus...because by the works of the law, no one will be justified." In "normal people language" that seems to say to me that nobody will ever earn their way to righteousness, or eternal life, or heaven. Rather we gain entrance to eternal life in Christ by putting our faith in what he did.

2. How does this passage relate to any other Scripture I know?

This passage in Galatians is very similar to verses that I hear quoted more often from Ephesians 2:8-9. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." In fact, Galatians 2:20-21 also remind me of Ephesians 2: 1-4 about being dead in our sins and being alive in Christ. Romans 6:3-4 has almost the identical language and thought process as well. It seems that Paul really wanted to get this through to all the churches. It must be a big deal. :)

3. So what does this mean for my life?

I was personally caught off guard by verses 20-21. I am adamant that we are saved by grace through faith, as the earlier verses state clearly. But I often forget that we are supposed to LIVE by faith as well. Sometimes I think, "I'm saved by faith in Christ, but now I've got to measure up, to earn God's favor and his approval." While it is good to seek God's praise over human praise, sometimes this thought process can lead to a longing for God's validation to come because of our works. Here's what this chapter reminded me of: God's validation of us is just as much a gift as his salvation to us. He loved us before we ever started living for him. He thought we were worth dying for when we were still sinners. To live by faith truly is to trust that God has already given us his love, our value, and his approval. Our life then flows out of that confidence.

4. What questions do I have about this passage?

When Paul used the phrase "sinful Gentiles," what was his tone? I sort of read that as if he would have put quotations around that in a very sarcastic sense, as if we weren't "sinful" as well. Also, what was his tone toward Peter, James, and John in this letter. It almost seems as if Paul is being a little sarcastic in the first part of the chapter too. Like when he says, "as for those who were held in high esteem - whatever they were makes no difference to me..." it almost seems as if he's saying, "For those so-called 'leaders', yeah right." Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

That's it. In case anyone is paying really close attention, I missed two days, but I will be covering both chapters 3-4 tomorrow and 5-6 on Wednesday to get back on track. God's blessings.

In Christ,
Dan