The word 'Galatia' means 'land of the Galli, Gauls' (Strong's no.1053; Thayers definition). The Gauls were a portion of the ten lost tribes of Israel, descended from the Cimmerians. These Gauls migrated to southern Germany and France via Hungary and Austria. The Greeks called them 'Celts', and thus the tongue 'Keltic', but were known to the Romans as 'Gauls'.(2) Let us begin this study, as we ask a Word of Wisdom from our Father in Christ Jesus' Name, Amen.
Gal 1:1 PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, Who raised Him from the dead;)
The word 'apostle' here is derived from the Greek word 'apostello', and means 'to send out' (Strong's no.649). So Paul wasn't sent by man, but by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Acts 9 is recorded how Saul (later changed to Paul), was struck down on the road to Damascus by Christ. Jesus would also say that Paul was His 'chosen vessel' (Acts 9:15). So there should be no doubt to these Gauls in Galatia, nor today among Christians, as to Paul's authority.
Gal 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Notice Paul is specific with 'from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ'. Again, this Message Paul is going to teach, is not from himself, but from GOD and His Christ.
Gal 1:4 Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
That Jesus Christ would come as Messiah, suffering on the cross, and offering Salvation for 'all' who would only believe on Him, was in The Plan of GOD from the beginning, and is revealed in the Old Testament. This 'present evil world' is ruled by Satan, and was part of GOD's Plan also, for He allows Satan and his to control this second earth age of flesh.
Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
These Galatians, or mixed Gauls, were allowing doctrines of men to bring in 'another gospel' other than the True Gospel of Christ. Paul even mocks that false gospel of men with the words, 'which is not another', as it originated from men and not Christ, thus it was just a bunch of hot air, though many of the Galatians were accepting it.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Paul gives a similar Message also in 2 Corinthians 11, concerning the false gospel of 'another Jesus'. If you haven't read it, I suggest you find time, because it concerns the coming of antichrist, i.e. Satan, as 'a spurious Messiah' in our near future. You'll have to understand who 'beguiled' Eve in the Garden, and also Jesus' teaching of the seven signs of the end, as given in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and Revelation 6, 9, 12 & 13, to pull that Message all together (also see 2 Thess.2). So Paul is not only referring here to the false doctrine these particular Galatians were accepting, who were wanting to live strictly by Old Testament Law, shunning Christ, but to certain false doctrines pushed by even some of today's Christian Church organizations. It's important to know that Paul, before Christ struck him down on the road to Damascus, was a Pharisee given authority to bring Christians before the council of the Jews. And also, Paul was a scholar of the Old Testament, having been brought up by the greatest Hebrew Torah scholar of his day, Gamaliel (see Acts 22:3 & 5:34). The Old Testament 'declares' God's Mission of Salvation, even back in Abraham's time in Genesis. So Paul, well knowing God's Law and the prophets, which is all they had at that time in writing, was 'chosen' to preach The Gospel (Good News), and to write most of the New Testament. Therefore, it's important to realize that Paul was well qualified for the Mission which Christ and our Father chose for him, and could easily spot any false doctrine. There's still another Message concerning Paul's previous deception, and zeal for persecution of Christians. He lacked The Holy Spirit as 'Guide'. So just reading The Bible doesn't mean you'll get proper understanding. Nor will anyone with The Holy Spirit truly understand The Word without study. God's Spirit is our Guide in understanding His Word. We also have to meet the conditions set forth by GOD dealing with 'faith' in Him and His Son, and then try to become His servants by knowing and doing His Word, even though we can't be perfect in It while in the flesh.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
This phrase 'If any man' means 'if any person' from the Greek, not only 'men' (Strong's no.1536). God has called some women to teach His Gospel too (Luke 2:36-38).
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Back in Isaiah 30 is an example of what many of the people wanted to hear. They didn't want to hear The Word, they wanted 'smooth things' preached in their ears. How is it today friends? It appears that someone teaching God's Word today, is labeled as a thought criminal by the world. They don't want to hear It. They want to hear that they're doing real good, and not sinning at all. God's Law is the 'Measuring Stick' by which we know the difference between righteousness and sin. The flesh is weak, and we are all sinners. Christ came to purify us through repenting to Him, offering us Salvation, and He became the replacement sacrifice for the atonement of sin when we break God's Law, for we are still transgressing that Law (1 Cor.5:7). We can't please everybody in this world, not if you believe on Christ and try to follow Him. If Paul chose to make peace with every false teacher and non-believer he met, he would not have been selected to preach this Gospel of Christ. I feel led to say something else. The peer pressure group and status quo of the majority is how we are attacked, and pressured into becoming men pleasers. You can apply the word 'fashion' to many of the methods whereby we can be led away from Christ. The 'evil world' uses the idea of popularity, fashion or fads, to turn us away from Christ and God's Law. God sends servants as teachers to warn the people about false doctrines and worldly fads, and Paul was one huge example of a sent one commissioned to refute these 'fads' and preach The Gospel of Christ, as his warnings declare in this Book of Galatians.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
God's Holy Spirit opened up Paul's knowledge of The Word. Before he received The Spirit, he just had a bunch of 'book smarts' from The Word. I'm not saying that 'book learning' is bad, because if Paul hadn't already known the Old Testament and prophets, he might not have been as prepared for the work Christ chose him for. As said before, Paul was already schooled in The Law and prophets, through study of The Scriptures at the hand of Gamaliel, a Hebrew scholar, the best in his day. He lacked guidance by The Holy Spirit when he was a Pharisee, which Christ gave him through His disciple Ananias at Damascus (Acts 9). Some seem to think that when they get baptized, and receive The Holy Spirit, they then know all of God's Word, and then have no need of study. This is how many today are misled, because those who claim to know all of The Word, often have need of more teaching. Those who teach a pre-tribulation "secret rapture" of the Church, which is contrary to God's Word, is one example of that type. The fact that Christ chose Paul, who was already an excellent scholar of The Word, and would write most of the New Testament, should reveal this to you.
Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Paul here exposes what 'the Jew's religion' is all about, i.e. 'traditions of my fathers.' Can you see the difference in 'traditions', and Christ's Word? That difference was revealed to Paul, not by man, but by Christ Himself. Before that time, Paul would even consent to the stoning of Stephen, and even held the coats of them who took part in the stoning (Acts 22:20). It is sad that those still rely only on the traditions of their father's precepts, based on God's Law (Torah), and not that Christ came already. Therefore, they condemn themselves by trying to make atonement to God solely based upon that Law, instead of allowing Jesus Christ to take away their sins by believing on Him, and asking forgiveness. Christ gave a warning that the 'scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses' seat', which refers to the position of Law Giver. Judah was to be God's Law Giver, but a false 'seed' has crept in, perverting The Law into traditions of men. The destruction of The Second Temple in Jerusalem in 70 A.D., and the lack of the needed requirements to fit ritual animal sacrifice atonement, as required for their sins according to The Law, means since that time, their transgressions have been really piling up, and not forgiven by God. Stack on top all that, today's events concerning the following:
1. They are preparing to build a third Temple in Jerusalem; 2. They couldn't wait, so they have already performed some ritual animal sacrifices on a hill overlooking the Temple Mount, while 'strangers' desecrate the Temple Mount; 3. Because they haven't believed that Christ Messiah came already, God is sending them 'strong delusion' with 'a spurious Messiah' to sit in their rebuilt Temple; 4. They will worship Satan in the place of Messiah Jesus Christ; 5. Since they have not accepted Christ, but rely only on their father's traditions on The Law, God will judge them according to that Law only. And their 'slates' will not be clean, unlike the 'clean slate' of those who do accept Christ and repent of their sins; 5. They believe in and love our Father Yehovah, but 'trust' in the 'traditions of their fathers' more.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, Who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, 16 To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Christ told Ananias in Acts 9 that Paul was His 'chosen vessel'. This means Paul's election was by God and specifically ordained, much as Jeremiah's was also, even before he was in his mother's womb (Jer.1). Hence, they both were not just sent into the world only, but their very souls were placed by God for His Purposes according to election, showing predestination. That's what called and chosen by God means, as Paul never used free will to believe on Christ. Paul was struck down, with Christ coming to Paul. This word 'heathen' is 'ethnos' in the Greek, meaning 'foreign, (usually by implication, pagan)', or Gentile (Strong's no.1484). See Acts 9:15, for the three groups to whom Paul was sent to preach The Gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Paul was at Damascus to be healed, receive the Holy Spirit, and be baptized in Christ. It's written in Acts 9:19 that he stayed 'certain days' with Christ's disciples there at Damascus. Then he immediately went out and preached Christ in the synagogues there. Again, it's important to understand that Paul already had The Word in his mind, being a scholar under Gamaliel. The Old Testament contains The Gospel Message of Christ in It also, even the events of Christ's crucifixion (see Psalms 22). Hence, once Paul received proper understanding by The Holy Spirit, his knowledge of Messiah from the Old Testament was all pulled together in his mind. No doubt, being a persecutor of Christians before, he was also somewhat familiar with Christian doctrine. So don't think that once someone who receives The Spirit, and without knowing The Written Word, that they can just go out and properly teach. Many of those whom God has revealed His deeper Word to, should understand this, as they at one time, tried very hard to understand The Word, but didn't have 'eyes to see and ears to hear' yet, and couldn't find the proper Church or teacher of The Word. When they finally received God's blessing through His Spirit, The Word became 'alive' for them, and many of His mysteries came to be understood. Those are 'called' and 'chosen'. They are not above anyone in status concerning those who believe on Christ but haven't been called. As on earth, nations have leaders of the people, likewise God chooses leaders of His People. Today, they are 'servants' sent by Him to all peoples of all nations, not just those of Israel, and they were selected for that service, and necessary to work God's Plan.
Gal 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
Many of the Christians well knew about Paul, as he was a great persecutor of their brethren before Christ struck him down. But as he immediately began preaching Christ, the Churches soon heard that this great persecutor had been turned, and was now doing great works for Christ.
Gal 1:23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.
Those believers who saw the works of God through Paul, caused them to magnify God and His Son Jesus Christ. What strength Paul must have represented to them, and at a time when they were being heavily scourged, just for accepting Christ Messiah as having come to offer Salvation. It was prophesied that He would come for God's Mission of Salvation. Many today are still waiting for Messiah's first coming. They are lost in their deception, allowing the Kenite to deceive them, and that was prophesied also for these times today.
The next Chapter of Galatians will begin some of the false doctrines which caused Paul to write this Epistle to the Galatians. It of course, was written for us today as an example also.
Galatians 2:1 - 2:21
We began this Book of Galatians with Paul's Message to the Gauls, about how he was struck down on the road to Damascus by Christ, and he now was preaching The Gospel of Christ. Acts 9 reveals that event experienced by Paul, as before Christ changed him, he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians on authority by the scribes and Pharisees who received not Jesus Christ as Messiah. That Christ chose Paul, which means Paul did not make his own free-will choice to believe on Jesus Christ, is a major lesson to us concerning 'election' and predestination. Moreover, that Paul was the greatest persecutor of The Church at that time, and then suddenly turned against that Jewish authority, and preached The Gospel, is certainly miraculous. Thus Paul was chosen by God as an example for believers today also, so we would know that our Heavenly Father is in control. Some in the congregation of the Galatians were listening to those who would pervert The Gospel of Christ by teaching to go back to the ordinances in The Old Testament Law which Christ fulfilled on the cross. As the Jews were strong in following those blood 'ordinances', they were teaching that the Gentiles within the congregation must adhere to them likewise. Why is understanding the differences in The Law which Christ fulfilled on the cross important? Not all of The Law was fulfilled on the cross. If It had been, Christ would not have preached The Ten Commandments in His Gospel. By not knowing the differences, some Christian groups teach that all of The Old Testament Law and prophets was done away with. That is simply not true. Paul is going to cover some of these differences here in Galatians, as we ask a Word of Wisdom in Christ Jesus' Precious Name, Amen.
Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
This was fourteen years after Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus by Christ. Paul was called to return to Jerusalem to help settle among the Church elders the same dispute here among the Galatians. When Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch, certain ones came from Jerusalem teaching that one must be circumcised in the flesh to be saved. Then Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to settle the matter among the Church elders there. Evidently some false ones had crept in the Church already, and were attempting to distort The Gospel. How is it today? Does it still happen in many of Christ's Churches?
Gal 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
This word 'Greek' is 'Hellen' which means an 'inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person, especially a non-Jew' (Strong's no.1672). The word 'Hellenist' is the proper interpretation in most cases when this word 'Greek' is given in New Testament Scripture. Titus, being a Hellenist, or Greek, had no need of flesh circumcision according to Paul's teaching of The Gospel of Christ, nor any Gentile have need. Circumcision according to Old Testament Law, was now of the 'heart', not of the flesh (Romans 2). It is now a good practice for health reasons only, and not religious reasons.
Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
This idea of 'false brethren unawares brought in' was a warning which Paul gave also in Acts 20 and 2 Cor.11. This is not a subject to consider lightly, because a little 'leaven' (false doctrine, a poison against Christ) affects the whole loaf. Christ also warned Christians about these false brethren who creep in (see Matt.16:6; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1). This phrase 'to spy out' in verse 4, which these 'false brethren' were doing, is 'kataskopeo' in the Greek meaning 'to be sentinel, i.e. to inspect insidiously' (Strong's no.2684). Reason with me for a moment. Just how would these 'false brethren', who were pushing the Law of blood circumcision on the Gentiles, know whether one was circumcised or not? Well, they must have went secretly peeking around the corner to discover that. Here's the gist of the Message. Who is given control by God over this earth flesh age and its kingdoms? Satan is (Luke 4:5-6). How does Satan's little 'workers of iniquity' operate in the world? Behind the scenes initially, always in secret. This is why many can't understand how all the evil can exist around us, even in a free Nation founded upon a trust in God, and abundant in His blessings. Christ would teach in Luke 8 & 11 that a true servant of The Lord does not put a candle (works in The Holy Spirit) under a bed, but on a table so it can give light to the whole room (world). Christ's own don't go around accomplishing their works in secret. But Satan's children do everything under a cloak of 'darkness', lest they be found out, and God's People punish them according to God's Commandments which were not done away with on the cross. God gives to His servants power over all His enemies (Luke 10:19). So Satan's own, for reasons of self-preservation, must do their dirty work in hiding, in secret, and they spy out in secret. There is no 'light' of The Holy Spirit in them. When Christ said in Matthew 10 that "...there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.", He was referring to the time of His second Advent to earth, when all the evil works by those who follow Satan, will be exposed by Him, and Christ will be 'very accurate' in punishment (1 Cor.4:5; 1 Cor.3:13; Romans 2; Rev.20:12). In other words, Satan's children have an advantage of secrecy over the deceived in this flesh age, though they still can't defeat God's true servants in the flesh. By the natural goodness of God's servants having His Light in them, who wish to openly help others in this world, and show God's Gift of Grace to them, they are always an open target for Satan's workers. We don't hide God's Truth, so we're easy to locate. So be patient in diligent service to our Father and His Christ, knowing that we have the Victory through His Son. The next part of this message involves what to do about these 'spies' who seek to creep into God's Churches and distort The Gospel of Christ. It's very, very simple, as God's Truth can be openly found if one will only believe and serve Christ. After our repentance and belief on Christ, and then by studying His Word, is how we can recognize false doctrines proposed by these 'false brethren'. As regards the Church 'system', this means to be aware of even the 'idea' of the flesh 'organizational system'; for the True Head of every True Church is Jesus Christ, and none other. Does your Church follow Christ's Doctrine as given in His Word, or some flesh tradition of man, recommended by some higher Church authority in a far away city? You don't know? Then get to studying The Word, because your soul could be in grave danger, as that Church 'system of man' cannot save you. If you're not verifying what I'm teaching on this Website for yourself, you're no better off than going to some Church that just says, "You don't need to study; all you've got to do is believe." Only Jesus Christ, The Word of God, can give Salvation. Christ frees us from our sins when we repent and believe on Him. Therefore, no Church system has the authority to cast away a sinner who repents to Christ and attempts to make a change in their life. One fad which the various Church systems have is this 'membership' thing. "Would you like to join our membership and have your name added to our Church registry?", they might say. I would reply, "Not really, I'm already a member of The Body of Christ." Some might say that they never intend their Church membership registry to be a replacement for Christ's Body of names written in God's Book of Life. I'm not talking about those Churches that know better, and are not guilty of it. However, some Church systems do use it for bondage purposes, as when they refuse to forgive a local member of some sin, even when Christ has forgiven the person through repentance, that Church system will boot 'em out, and hold that registry up against them like it is The Book of Life. If that isn't bad enough, some Church 'systems of man' use that membership registry to keep track of a member's tithing, and to send letters of responsibility out saying something like, "You need to give more tithes. We feel you're just not giving enough based on your salary." That type of Church 'system' is a business, not Christ's Church! What about those Churches where the congregation must receive a new believer into their approval first, before they will allow that person to be baptized? These wrongs are going on in some Churches today, and it is an abomination of 'bondage', coming between a sinner and Christ!
Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
Paul very well knew The Gospel of Christ, God's Law, and the prophets. To yield to these 'false brethren' would have meant his authority from Christ was fake. Can you see why and how these false ones start with just a seemingly little thing? If they are allowed to continue, the false worship keeps growing to greater matters, even to where ministers are doing same sex marriages, etc. If God's People are ignorant of His Word, how are they even going to recognize when these 'false brethren' try to sneak in?
Gal 2:6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
These 'false brethren' evidently really thought they were 'something'. Yea, they held a big meeting with Paul, putting themselves up on a pedestal of self-righteous authority. Paul's saying those elder Jews of the Christian Church back in Jerusalem had no new revelation to add to The Gospel he received directly from Jesus Christ. Those who began this idea of the Gentiles needing to be circumcised to be saved, were 'certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed' (Acts 15:5).
Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For He That wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
The 'gospel of uncircumcision' Paul speaks of is about the circumcision of the heart, for both male and female (see Romans). Christ fulfilled The Law of the blood ordinances upon the cross. Notice I said 'fulfilled' and not 'done away with'. As Christ now is our True Sabbath, and our Passover sacrificed for us, He fulfilled those portions of The Law. Thus we still are to observe Passover, not in the flesh sense, but in the spiritual sense (1 Cor.5:7). We are still to observe the Sabbath also, not in the flesh sense, but in the spiritual sense of Christ being our 'Rest', as that's what the word 'sabbath' means, 'rest, intermission' (Col.2; Hebrews 4).
Gal 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
This word 'heathen' is 'ethnos' in the Greek, meaning 'a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one' (Strong's no.1484). It simply means the 'ethnic' peoples, i.e. Gentiles. As written in Acts 9, Paul was sent by Christ to preach to the Gentiles, Kings, and to Israel. Others of the Apostles of Christ, such as James, would stay on in Jerusalem preaching to the 'circumcision', i.e. the Jews.
Gal 2:10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Many Christians of the time were cast out of their homes for their belief on Jesus Christ as Messiah, and they lost most everything they owned. This verse especially applied to that situation of the day, but still not to be forgotten by us in the present time. God's Law directs us to always help the poor. That part is not done away with, and it applies to all peoples, not just one group among themselves.
Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
God revealed to Peter a vision of wild game upon a sheet, and our Father told him to take and eat. These meats shown to him were unclean according to God's Law. The meaning of the vision was revealed to Peter when he was summoned by God to the house of a Gentile named Cornelius, where many were gathered to hear The Gospel of Christ. The Holy Spirit fell upon them as Peter, a Jew, preached to them, and they were baptized in Christ also (Acts 10). Peter then realized that Salvation through Jesus Christ was to the Gentile also, and that was the meaning of God's vision to him. When Peter came to Jerusalem, other Jews had reproached him about entering the house of a Gentile, which was against their law, and he explained to them what God revealed concerning Salvation for the Gentiles (Acts 11). So Peter well knew from God that the Gentiles who believed, were to be treated as brethren in Christ.
Gal 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.
Peter was there among the Gentiles at Antioch with Paul. He freely ate and fellowshipped with those Gentiles. But when 'certain' Jews of James' group at Jerusalem came to Antioch, Peter separated himself from those Gentiles, because of what his own Jewish brethren might think or say. In other words, Peter was trying to be a 'man pleaser', instead of holding to the vision and work God worked through him concerning the Gentile being accepted unto Christ also. Peter would even say among those first Gentiles back Caesarea who received Christ: "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, 'Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:' " (Acts 10:34).
Gal 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
The word 'dissimulation' is 'hupokrisis' in the Greek meaning 'acting under a feigned part, ("hypocrisy")' (Strong's no.5272). We could speculate that them there Gentiles might'a been eatin' country ham for dinner. Good ole' salt cured pork. Maybe even with home cooked biscuits and 'red-eye' gravy made from the ham grease on the side? We could also say, that maybe Peter even enjoyed that country ham, before his Jewish brethren came.
Gal 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?
Uh oh. Paul just called Peter down for his actions, right in front of all. It appears Peter must have been eatin' that 'country ham' of the Gentiles before his Jewish brethren had arrived, and he maybe even liked it!
Gal 2:15 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.
So what's Paul's Message so far? It is this. God's Law is embedded in the operations of this world of flesh. The Law is our 'schoolmaster' to live by. It helps keep us in line. When we transgress that Law, we will suffer punishment in the flesh, just as a schoolmaster must maintain discipline. But that same Law from God, which He set up for us as a Guide in order to receive His Goodness, is Perfect, as our Teacher Yehovah, He is Perfect also. So the non-believing 'class clowns' who transgress God's Law, deliberately for self-attention and self-pride, are not to be looked upon as being funny. The 'paddling' they receive from God can't be compared to the one given by a human high school teacher. Yet, for those who believe on Christ when we sin, that paddling from God, i.e. His chastisement, will fit the crime and is done out of His love for us. But we can in no way be perfect in that Law, for we are all sinners in the flesh. Thank God for His Christ Who frees us from being held accountable based solely on The Law! But is The Law done away with? Absolutely not; only the ordinances which Christ 'fulfilled' upon the cross (Eph.2:15; Heb.9; Col.2). Stealing is a transgression of God's Law (Exo.20:15). What happens to a thief who is caught today? The meaning of 'Jews by nature' refers to their particular habit and upbringing in a very strict observance in God's Law. Therefore, these Jews who accepted Christ as Messiah were having a hard time adjusting away from their old habits of strict observance and traditions based upon God's Law. Many of those 'traditions' of the Jews, which are based upon God's Law, are man's own doings anyway. The 'false brethren', the 'crept in unawares', i.e. the 'sons of Cain', are the ones mainly responsible for creating the greater 'bondage' based upon their over meticulous renderings of God's Law. Christ freed them from those entrapments that create bondage, and they have a hard time trying to 'ease up' on the reigns a little, not being held to the blood ordinances anymore. At the opposite end of the scale, the 'sinners of the Gentiles' have a difficult time 'tightening up' on trying to follow God's Law Which remains in effect. All in all, God's Law is Good. But only through faith in Christ Jesus are we 'justified', or 'saved', and that by His unmerited favor of Grace. In Peter's case, he was being a little 'two-faced', supping with Gentiles only until his Jewish brethren arrived. No doubt this event by Peter was for our learning; for both Jew and Gentile, much as Peter denied Christ three times before the cock crowed (Matt.26:33-34; 69-74). What's more, the vision Peter was given by God concerning Salvation to the Gentile, and what God cleansed, we are not to call common, he should have set an example for his Jewish brethren when among the Gentiles at Antioch, instead of falling back into 'old habits'. That's the Message for us. After having accepted Christ as Savior, we often tend to fall back into old routines if we aren't careful, because flesh man naturally loves habit. The flesh prefers permanence, not change. And if we don't stay awake in God's Word, we can easily fall prey to false doctrines and traditions which Satan purposefully designs to test our flesh habits, and this concerns any habits of idol worship also.
Gal 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." 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
So because we are now saved by the Grace of Christ, and not by The Law, does that mean we can just go out and commit sin, knowing all we have to do is believe on Jesus and repent? God forbid, no! As said before, God's Law is embedded in the world of flesh. If we break It, we will pay, but by sincere repentance and attempting to change, we are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ. Those who go and 'knowingly' sin because they think all they've got to do is repent, will receive a double-portion of punishment from God (Heb.10:26; Rev.18:6). If it was pork those Gentiles were eating, and Peter partook, since pork is against God's Health Law, does that mean Peter would lose salvation through Christ? No, but Peter's flesh body wouldn't be very healthy if he kept eating it. The same goes for the Gentile, as all of us are under God's Law, not only Jews. God gave The Law to us to keep our flesh tuned-up to feel good, as our Father created these flesh bodies, and He knows what's best for them. Some people have a bad reaction to a little alcohol. It's a medical fact that a little wine is good for the flesh system (a little means like one glass with a main meal). Will they go to hell if they drink 'a little' for the stomach? No. But those who abuse alcohol, etc., they will pay for their indulgence, and usually in more ways than one. God's Law governs the reward in staying within His Law, or the punishment in transgressing It, in either case. Paul is saying in verse 18 that, if we go back to relying only upon God's Law to be our Salvation, and not Jesus Christ as our Savior, then we become transgressors of Grace and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. That's what Peter's actions represented, by eating with the Gentiles at first and then separating himself according to that old tradition when his Jewish brethren arrived. Peter should have been aware of his actions, especially since God gave him the Message that the Gentile was to be included in Salvation. This is why Paul came down on him so hard, because Peter was entrusted with a lot from God.
Gal 2:19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 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.
When Paul uses the word "I" here, he intends his spiritual man, the 'new creature' in Christ, not the flesh man (2 Cor.5:17). The inner 'spiritual man in Christ', is therefore 'dead' to The Law, but not our flesh, nor the spiritual man of those who refuse Christ. One must accept Jesus Christ as Savior for to take part in this renewed state of Grace. Paul fully explains the shortcomings of the flesh according to The Law in Romans 7. But the 'new man' in Christ is our hope and in faith that Jesus Christ did sacrifice Himself on the cross, and gave us the Promise of Salvation, is the inner man's striving. And this even though our old flesh can't be perfect and will transgress God's Law.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If we were justified or obtained Grace by The Law only, then Christ Jesus would have died on the cross for nothing. That's all Paul is saying here. Does this mean God's Law is done away with then? God forbid no. Nor does Paul imply that anywhere in his Epistles.
Many who teach that all Old Testament Law was done away with when Christ died upon the cross offering The Way to Salvation, do so in ignorance. Those also tend to teach that The Old Testament was all history, and offers little concerning The Salvation of Christ and Christian Doctrine. If you study the Books of the Prophets, you'll learn that is not true. They are just taking The Old Testament and putting It back on the bookshelf to collect dust when they teach that false message. As Jesus Christ stated in Matt 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
