Galatians 2:11 "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed."

"Peter was not preaching heresy, but neither was he consistently practising the gospel of grace. He withdrew from eating with uncircumcised Gentile believers when pressured to do so by some of the Hebrew Christians". Ryrie

(Galatians 2:11-13 ). It is not enough for leadership to teach gospel principles - they must practice them. Inconsistency of conduct affects others in their walk. In the case of Peter's wrong action Barnabas was carried away (Galatians 2:12-13 ). Public failure and inconsistency need to be confronted, and Paul saw the effect on the truth of the gospel, and could not be silent. (Galatians 2:14 ). He did not sympathise with Peter's fear (Galatians 2:12 ). He contended for the faith.

Peter is challenged as dealing unfairly with the Gentiles. He did not keep the Jewish observances in eating, being a Jew - now he would have them Judaize to have communion with Jewish Christians (Galatians 2:14-15 ). Peter could eat with, and as, a Gentile

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, ..."

(In connection with man not being justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ see Romans 1:17; 3:20,26; 4:5; Mark 16:16; Romans 3:22 ). It is inconsistent to now make the acceptable, being justified by faith, unacceptable because they do not eat as Jews and are uncircumcised. By being released from a legalistic system, they are not being given a license to sin - far from it - Christ is the minister of victory over sin (Galatians 2:17 ). In pulling down observance of rites and ceremonial conduct for justification, to become a rebuilder of law-righteousness would make the builder a transgressor (Galatians 2:18 ).Having died to the law, because Christ had paid the penalty for sin that the law demanded, the believer in Christ is dead to all the law's legal claims.

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

Having been released from legal bondage, the believer is made partaker of Christ's death and life.

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The Believer Is Crucified - And Yet Lives (Galatians 2:20)

As crucified with Christ the believer is dead to the law and is no longer a servant of sin (Romans 6:6-16 ) and becomes dead to the world and the world to the believer (Galatians 6:14 ). Yet death with Christ involves life with Christ (Romans 6:8 ) and life with Him by the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4 ). Christ is the source and the substance of the believer's life (1 John 5:12; Colossians 3:4; John 14:19 ). It is life fully experienced. "I live."

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The Believer Lives The "No Longer I" Life (Galatians 2:20)

It is Christ living in him. That is why the "no longer I" life can be lived. Its the no longer self-life, that is the controlling principle of life. That God-opposing self has been crucified - the change consists of the Christ, God-pleasing life - and is love, joy, peace that is lived through me.

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The Believer Lives In The Flesh A Life Of Faith (Galatians 2:20)

A life lived by faith in the Son of God, not only for salvation but as the root principle of victorious life. The principle of faith is in constant exercise. By faith we live, walk, stand, overcome, are sanctified and kept. The gift of His love and self-sacrifice motivates and maintains our faith.

Galatians 2:20 "... who loved me, and gave himself for me."

If it were possible to obtain righteousness by the method of the law, then the death of Christ for sinners would be in vain. Surely God would have spared His Son! We owe so much to the inspired defence of Paul's apostleship and message.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Do you think that a leader earns rebuke from a fellow labourer by failing to practice what he preaches? (Galatians 2:11 ).
2. In whose strength are you able to live the Christian life? (Galatians 2:20 ).
3. Is there any phrase of Galatians 2:20 that you do not understand? What great truth stated in this verse can you testify as your own experience?