1. Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

Barnabas. Means "one who encourages." His given name was Joseph, and he was a Levite from the island of Cyprus (see Acts 4:36). He was Paul's companion on the first missionary journey (Acts13:1-14:28). Titus. A Gentile Christian who served as Paul's delegate to Corinth and later was left in Crete to oversee the church there (see Titus 1:5).

Apparently this visit was the visit mentioned in Acts 15 but this time Paul was going there to find out more about Jesus Christ's earthy life but for thrashing out problems involved in the conduct of Gentile converts after they had accepted Christ. These problems came to a head in Acts 15 and are officially resolved there where a unanimous decision is reached.

Paul, Barnabus and Titus meet with the BIG THREE in Jerusalem, Peter, James and John. This Jerusalem Council has a particular significance for the Book of Galatians: the purpose for Paul's writing of Galatians was to answer the very same issues which were settled in this council.

Acts 15:1-24 ¹And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.²When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ³And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. ⁴And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. ⁵But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. ⁶And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. ⁷And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. ⁸And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; ⁹And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. ¹²Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. ¹³And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: ¹⁴Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: ¹⁷That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. ¹⁸Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ¹⁹Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: ²⁰But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. ²¹For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. ²²Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²³And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. ²⁴Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Obviously, these Judaizers of Acts 15:1-6 were teaching "standard" salvation by works:

• You have to DO something yourself to be saved.
• You have to DO something yourself to stay saved.

This is the sum total of RELIGIONS - systems that want people to follow their rules, their creeds, their priests rather than follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

• What is the most difficult thing for any human being to do, that which an unbeliever cannot possibly do--and that which a believer finds most difficult? Do you know what it is? IT IS TO BELIEVE IN, COMPLETELY TRUST AND LOOK ONLY TO, JESUS CHRIST FOR JUSTIFICATION. It is the hardest thing you will ever be called on to do. To believe only, to trust only, and to look only to Christ. - Paul doesn't say to look to Christ or believe in Christ - he said only - only so that nothing else enters in to the slightest degree. Nothing else affects your look, your trust, or your confidence only to Christ and Christ alone not only for your justification, but for sanctification and for a full acceptance with God. The Galatians couldn't do it. The Colossians had trouble doing it. The Philippians were rebuked for not doing it.

• What about you? What are you trusting for your salvation?
• Are you the type of person who usually "goes with the crowd" or "does your own thing"?
• How do you feel when your beliefs are contrary to popular opinion? On what issue do you feel you need to stand alone?

1. 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.

The Lord lays it on Paul's heart to make this visit and he takes a Gentile convert with him, Titus, and Barnabus. At Jerusalem they meet privately with them which of reputation; i.e., Peter, James and John.

• Why do you think they met "behind closed doors"? What would you do if you had the opportunity to meet the three most famous people in Houston? The USA? The World?

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 ²⁶I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:²⁷But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

• Paul's summation is that discipline is important in the Christian's life. Discipline which includes sacrificing personal rights and comforts for the sake of others. How would you describe your "Gospel readiness" training program?

Paul doesn't doubt the outcome of the race that he is running but he believes his race is in vain if he allows his work to be swallowed up by the Judaizers who are teaching something that is contrary to his message of grace.

• How much was at stake - for Paul then, and for you now?

1. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

• It seems that bringing up Titus and circumcision is a little off the subject. What is Paul getting at here?
• Why do people have such a tendency to add rules to the gospel? Why is the idea of salvation of grace through faith, apart from works such a weird concept?
• Back then there was a tendency to say, "faith plus circumcision." What rules do people tend to add to the faith today? What is an example of an extra-Biblical rule that people today tend to see as binding?
• Paul seems pretty adamant about this subject. Why is this such a big deal to Paul? What if people misunderstand this detail of the faith, what is the big deal?

1. 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:

The people who were trying to get Paul "in a bind" on circumcision are "false brethren" who had slipped into the local assemblies and had put pressure on Titus to get him circumcised.

• Who are the false brethren today?
• What are they preaching today? Church membership? Water Baptism? Speaking in tongues? Keeping the Ten Commandments?

to spy on. (as in spying out a territory)

2Samuel 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

1Chronicles 19:3 But the princes of the children of Ammon said to Hanun, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? are not his servants come unto thee for to search, and to overthrow, and to spy out the land?

• When traveling through an airport have you ever been searched or had your baggage searched? How did it make you feel? Why?
• How can you teach loyalty and trust to your children or peers?

Liberty or freedom.

Galatians 5:1,13 ¹Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.¹³For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Romans 6:18,20,22 ¹⁸Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.²⁰For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. ²²But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

"Free" and "freedom" are key words or ideas in Galatians, occurring many times:

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 4:22-23,26,30-31 ²²For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. ²³But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. ²⁶But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. ³⁰Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. ³¹So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Galatians 5:1,13 ¹Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. ¹³For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

• If Paul were around today, what would he say enslaves our society?
• If you had acted as God's willing servant this week, what would have changed in your attitudes and actions?
• What does it mean to you "by love serve one another?"

1. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Paul ignored these "false brethren" and didn't yield one inch of ground to them. Although he himself had been baptized with water, he never made the mistake of connecting water baptism with salvation.

• How would you respond to "false brethren?" Would reply in anger? In love?

2 Timothy 3: 1- 11 - ¹This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.²For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ⁶For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ⁷Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. ⁹But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was. ¹⁰But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, ¹¹Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Titus 3:1 - 11 ¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,²To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. ³For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; ⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ⁸This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. ⁹But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. ¹⁰A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; ¹¹Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

• Does Titus 1:3 paint an accurate picture of you in the past? To what degree? Were these characteristics an obvious part of your life, or more of an underlying reality?
• How can you reconcile the "reject" of verse Titus 1:10 with "shewing all meekness unto all men" of verse Titus 1:2?

Paul gives Christians plenty of advice on what to do after they are saved but he never did connect their conduct as Christians with their eternal justification by the grace of God through faith in Christ. See Ephesians 5 and 6; Colossians 3 and 4; Philippians 4; 1 Corinthians 1 -14.)

If Paul had yielded on the circumcision issue with Titus it would have shaken the faith of the converts in Galatia. Timothy was a different situation (Acts 16:3), for his mother was a Jewess, and he submits to circumcision as a testimony to the unsaved Jews in that area. The Galatians were not half-Jew-half-Gentile; they were pure Gentile, or heathen as Paul puts in Galatians 1:16.

1. 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:

those who seemed to be somewhat (important):

Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Luke 20:21 And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

 

2. But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

Paul's ministry was not exclusively to the Gentiles. In fact, he regularly went first to the synagogue when arriving in a new location

Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

• What do you think it was important for Paul to attend the synagogue on the Sabbath Day? Is it important to you to attend church? Why?

He did, however, consider himself to be foremost an apostle to the Gentiles

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

1. (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

Peter, James and John were not able to tell Paul any theology he didn't already know although they were looked upon by their community as pillars. Paul dealt with them on an equal footing.

pillars. A common metaphor for those who represent and strongly support an institution - notice they are not referred to as princes as some religions would have them known.

• What did these "pillars" of the Church at Jerusalem recognize about Paul? What do people with whom you come in contact recognize in you?
• What do you feel when your beliefs are contrary to popular opinion?

right hand of fellowship.

A common practice among both Hebrews and Greeks, indicating a pledge of friendship. The right was the hand of power, the right hand side was regarded as the side of honor, therefore, for a man to offer his right hand was to signify trust (one could not hold a weapon and shake hands too) and to honor the one in whom you offered you hand.

2 Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.

1 Chronicles 12:2 They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

9. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

• How does the caring for the poor relate to proclaiming the Gospel of grace?

11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Antioch. The leading city of Syria and third leading city of the Roman empire (after Rome and Alexandria). From it Paul had been sent out on his missionary journeys.

Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 13:1-3 ¹Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.²As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ³And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Acts 14: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

Paul corrects the "prince of the apostles" and tells him off in no uncertain terms. It seems that Peter got his wires crossed somewhere; here he was a heretic in doctrinal matters.

• Have you ever "opposed" a boss? What was the outcome?

was to be blamed.

Peter - For yielding to the pressure of the circumcision party (the Judaizers), thus going against what he knew to be right.

• In the past God had dramatically led Peter to break Jewish customs by fellowshipping and eating with gentiles (Acts 11:1-18.) What causes Peter to reverse course now?
• How quickly would you stand-up and rebuke the leader of the church?
• What does this passage have to say about the need for accountability among believers?
• When are you guilty of double standards? How do you communicate - probably by example - "Do as I say, not as I do?"

11. 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.

Paul is talking about Peter. He is not referring to the others that came of the circumcision.

Acts 11:1-18 ¹And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.²And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, ³Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. ⁴But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, ⁵I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: ⁶Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. ⁷And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. ⁸But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. ⁹But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. ¹⁰And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. ¹²And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: ¹³And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; ¹⁴Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. ¹⁵And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. ¹⁷Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? ¹⁸When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

What kind of separation is this?

Is it?

Romans 1:1 - 2 ¹Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,²(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Or?

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?¹⁵And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ¹⁸And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

• Nowadays, is it right to accuse separated Christians of being self righteous "ultra-separatists" for not fellowshipping with other denominations?
• What do you think about fellowshipping with publicans and sinners to reach them or "influence" them for Christ?
• Can you really "fellowship" with a person who is not saved?

Peter's separation here is a running away from an obligation because of his "fear of man." He just didn't remember his Proverbs.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

11. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

Peter is fellowshipping in the local church at Antioch with "brothers in Christ." They are all sitting around the table eating fried catfish and hushpuppies (fried in hog lard no less), seafood gumbo and pork barbecue when a messenger comes in and walks up to Peter and whispers in his ear, "That bunch from Acts 11:2 just pulled up at Motel 6!"

 

"Uh, oh!" says Peter, "I'm gonna get my shirttail in a wringer now!"

 

"Ya'll excuse, brothers, I gotta go make a proper appearance!"

 

When word gets around the room after Peter leaves the table, some of the converted Jews get up with him.

 

12. 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?

Paul practices what he preaches. He does not hesitate to straighten out Peter on his grace doctrines.

Paul says, "Hey Peter. If you, being a Jew are fellowshipping with these gentiles - and you were before those Acts 11:2 guys from Jerusalem showed up at Motel 6 - and you were enjoying it, even though you knew that an Orthodox Jew shouldn't be enjoying it, how come you reversed field, brother, and quit enjoying it?"

"Are you trying to teach these Gentiles that Orthodox Judaism is the right way to live?"

Peter's answer to Paul is never recorded. However, Peter refers to his rebuker as "our beloved brother Paul" in the following verse:

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

I guess Peter didn't hold a grudge against Paul.

15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

It appears that Paul's rebuke ends in verse 14 and now he seems to be expounding aloud to himself and the Galatians. It is clear that he goes on using "we" to include Peter and anyone like him that tends to forget what justification by grace really means.

 

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.

A key verse in Galatians. Three times it tells us that no one is justified by observing the law, and three times it underscores the indispensable requirement of placing one's faith in Christ.

by the works of the law.

Paul is not depreciating the law itself, for he clearly maintained that God's law is "holy, righteous and good"

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

 

He is arguing against an illegitimate use of the Old Testament law that made the observance of that law the grounds of acceptance with God.

be justified

The essence of the gospel message is found in faith, the means by which justification is received, not its basis.

Romans 3:20,24,28 ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.²⁴Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁸Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 

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.

There are two readings on this verse.

The first one is this: If we find ourselves sinning after we get saved (and justified) does that mean that Christ is the Author of sin since He was the one who justified us? God forbid!

The second one is: Now that we are justified, does Christ place us in a position where we can become sinners? You do call people who eat with Gentiles 'sinners' don't you? (Luke 5:30) Well, you could not be a sinner in that sense unless Christ is the minister of sin, for He is the one who put you in fellowship with gentiles who were justified like you are. Is Christ that kind of Minister? God forbid!

• Which one of these do you think is the right reading?

15. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Now Paul turn his guns off of Peter and points them at himself. Paul is saying that if a saved child of God who has been justified by faith apart from the works of the law returns to those works or gives any indication (as Peter had done) that those works are connected with justification, he brackets himself. He has stuck himself back under the law as a sinner trying to get to heaven by works. The following verses are pretty plain.

 

Romans 3:26 - 27 ²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.²⁷Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

 

16. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

See Romans 6 and 7.

 

17. 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.

I am dead, but I am alive. I am a live spirit and a dead body. An unsaved person is a dead spirit and a live body.

Paul was a living sacrifice always bearing about in his body the death of his Lord and dying daily.

Romans 12:1 - 3 ¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.²And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ³For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

2Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

1Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

The tense of Galatians 2:20 is the same as the tense of Galatians 6:14.

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Romans 7:22 - 25 ²²For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:²³But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Here are three tremendous truths:

• The evil a Christian does is HIS OWN (Galatians 2:18)
• Yet it is not his own. (Romans 7:17)
• It comes from something in him that is part of the dead man who was nailed - and is still nailed - to the cross. (Romans 7:18)

The real "ME" is the NEW MAN born of the Spirit who "lives", but this "NEW ME" is Jesus Christ Himself!!

Here are three MORE tremendous truths:

• The good a Christian does is not HIS OWN (Galatians 2:20)
• Yet it is what the real him desires. (Romans 7:22)
• The good fruit comes from something in him that is part of the new man who rose from the dead - the tomb is empty. (Romans 7:1-6)

Paul is not discussing his bodily life. He is discussing his REAL LIFE, which is Jesus Christ Himself.

• Applying these spiritual concepts of verse 20, who is alive in your life right now? Is it "I" or Christ?

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

To mingle legalism with grace distorts grace and makes a mockery of the cross.

• If you are a self-made person who likes to see everyone pay their own way, how does this Gospel of undeserved grace strike you?
• According to verse 21, if you can be right standing with God through your own efforts - for example, by being "a good person" - what did Christ die for?