Galatians 2 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: Galatians 2

Galatians 2:21 – All and Nothing

Posted on September 27, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:21

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

Truth to Learn

Salvation is all God’s work and none of ours.

Behind the Words

The word translated “set aside” is athetō, which is made up of a, meaning “not” and thetos which refers to something that has been placed in a certain location. Therefore, this word literally means “not placed” or, as we would say, “displaced.” Hence, it has the notion of something that has been cast aside, abolished, or thrown away.

The expression “in vain” comes from the Greek word, dōrean, which is a form of dōrea, meaning “as a gift,” “freely,” or “without value or purpose.” So, Paul is saying that if righteousness comes through obedience to the law then there was no value in Christ’s death on the cross.

Meaning Explained

Paul’s argument to Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jewish Christians is that we are made righteous, and kept righteous, by God’s grace, not by obeying the ordinances of the Law. But obviously, Peter and the others by their actions are still trying to uphold at least part of the Law. They are, in effect, throwing away the grace of God by trying to keep the ordinances of the Law after they have been saved.

Paul now strongly admonishes them that they should not get rid of God’s grace. After all, if our righteousness comes by obeying the Law and not by grace, then Christ died in vain. And His sacrificial death on the cross has no effect if we must also satisfy the Law after we have been saved.

In Ephesians 2:8-10a Paul said:

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship

Our salvation is a gift of God, it is not earned. It is a work that He did, not us. If we earned (or completed) our salvation by fulfilling the Law (or obeying church rules and ordinances) then we would have something that we could boast about. As it is, we can’t boast about any part of our salvation because we didn’t earn it in any way at all! It is a gift, freely given by God!

Old habits are hard to break. Peter, Barnabus, and the other Jewish Christians who were caught-up in this legalistic practice were raised on the Law of Moses. Throughout most of their lives they were taught that they had to do these things in order to please God. Paul, too, had been brought up under the law, but he understood God’s grace as being all God’s work with nothing from man. That’s how this marvelous grace is: it’s all (all from God) and nothing (nothing from man).

Application

If you are saved and you are still trying to make yourself acceptable to God by obeying any set of rules, then you are declaring by your actions that God’s gift is not sufficient for you. And, by doing this, instead of showing God how worthy you are, you are trampling all over His gift.

Now, that’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Galatians 2:20 – Living by Faith

Posted on September 26, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Truth to Learn

He gave us His life through obedience, now we owe Him ours through faith.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul told us that he died to the law. In the current verse he explains this idea a little further. Certainly Paul was not physically dead. He was still walking around. He was still breathing. He was still ministering for Christ. But, when any Christian comes to saving faith, he or she takes on the effects of Christ’s death on the cross and in that sense has died with Christ. The word translated “I have been crucified” is in the perfect tense. This means past action with an ongoing effect, the emphasis being not on the past action, but on the effect. So, even though we were crucified with Christ in the past, the effect is that we are continually and forever in a dead state (crucified) with Him.

It is our sin nature, which Paul calls our “old man,” that has been figuratively put to death. Paul expresses this same notion in Romans chapter 6.

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, (Romans 6:3-8)

So, if we are figuratively dead, the Law has no power over us and we no longer have the right to say or do whatever we want. Instead, since we are made spiritually alive through Christ, we now owe what is left of our physical life and all of our spiritual life to Him. We now live “in Christ.” In other words, we live as united with Him and under His authority and we now must “walk by faith, not by sight.” That means we are totally committed to His direction for our lives and it means that we are completely submitted to his authority. So, we have been crucified with Christ and are dead to self because of it. And the life that we now live, by faith, is in the power and under the authority of Jesus Christ.

The law has no authority over us but Christ has supreme authority over us.

Application

Christ gave himself on the Cross to give you and me spiritual life and He now lives in us. It is only natural that we should now give the life we have to Him, for Him to use.

Who are you living for right now? Are you living to satisfy your own desires? That’s living to self, it doesn’t require an ounce of faith, and its easy. Or, are you living for Jesus Christ? That requires faith and it is very hard!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:19 – Free to Obey

Posted on September 25, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:19

For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.

Truth to Learn

We are no longer subject to the law, we are free to obey God.

Behind the Words

The word translated “through” is the Greek word dia. Like its English equivalent this word can imply: 1-Motion through space, 2-Continuance through time, or 3-Cause or instrumentality. In the current verse it implies cause or instrumentality.

Meaning Explained

This is yet another verse that is difficult to understand and the meaning of which has been much debated. Again, there are two schools of thought. The first is that the expression “through the law” actually refers to the doctrines of Christianity. The word translated “law” is a form of “nomos” which is normally translated as “law” but can also express a school of doctrine. It is this sense in which Paul refers to the law of Christ in Galatians 6:2. Hence the meaning of this verse could be, “For through the doctrine of Christ I died to the Law of Moses that I might live to God.”

The other interpretation of this verse is that Paul is saying it was the Law of Moses that led him to understand the truth about Christ. In this sense, the Law of Moses was his tutor as he expresses later in Galatians 3:24:

But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:22-24)

This is the more natural interpretation of what Paul is saying here. That is, through the Law of Moses I was introduced to the liberating truth of faith in Jesus Christ. And, as a result of that faith I am now dead to the Law of Moses and alive through faith so that I might live to God in a manner that places me righteous in His eyes. Paul expressed this in a similar way in his letter to the Christians at Rome.

Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, … But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:4a, 6)

Either way we interpret this, it is clear that we are dead to the Law. Just as the Constitution and laws of our own land have no influence on the thoughts and behavior of someone who is physically dead, so the Law of Moses has no influence on us since we are dead to the Law and alive to Christ. Now, He is the only thing that should be influencing our thoughts and actions.

Application

Since we are dead to the law, it has no power over us and we are not, indeed cannot be, subject to its requirements. But we are now alive (spiritually) to God and must, therefore, be subject to Him. We are no longer forced to sin. Instead, we are free to obey God.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:18 – Sinfulness or Submission?

Posted on September 21, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:18

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

Truth to Learn

God is not pleased when we try to obey religious rules. He is pleased when we submit our will to Him.

Behind the Words

The word translated “demolish” is kataluō, which is made up of kata, meaning “down,” used here as an intensifier, and luō, meaning to let loose. It refers to unfastening something or taking it apart, hence “destroy.”

Meaning Explained

Paul continues on in his criticism of Peter, Barnabas, and others for their separation from the Gentiles. Paul has told the Galatian Christians about how Peter, having freely enjoyed the fellowship with Gentile believers, turned away from these Gentiles (out of fear of what his Jewish brethren would think of him) when Jewish Christians from Jerusalem came to Antioch. Paul very clearly calls this type of behavior hypocrisy. He told Peter, and Barnabas who had been drawn into the same hypocritical behavior by Peter’s actions, that if they had the freedom to behave as Gentiles then why would they insist that Gentiles now behave as Jews by observing circumcision and other practices of the Mosaic Law.

In the previous verse Paul introduced the notion of Christian liberty, the fact that we are justified by faith not works. And if we who are justified by faith, through the excuse of such liberty, return to the sinful practices of our former life we are being submissive to Christ. In other words, if we as Christians now return to obeying the Law in order to ensure our justification, then that very action causes us to be sinners.

“if I build again those things which I destroyed,” refers to the commandments of the Law. Paul told the Christians in Ephesus that this legalistic distinction between Jews and Gentiles has been done away with in Christianity and Christ has fully satisfied and abolished the need for the commandments of the Law which separated Jew and Gentile.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Ephesians 2:13-16)

Since Christ has done away with the commandments contained in ordinances (the Law and any legalistic practices) we are actually being sinners when we try to satisfy these laws and ordinances now that we have been set free by Christ.

Application

As we said in the previous verse, this does not give us license to live as we please and sin as we please. Rather, it constrains us to be obedient to Christ because He has set us free.

Are you trying to satisfy the legal requirements of your church in order to secure your salvation? Or, are you trying to please your Lord and Savior?

You can’t do both!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:17 – Sin? Not!

Posted on September 20, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:17

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!

Truth to Learn

As Christians we are not free to live as we want, we are constrained to live as He wants us to.

Behind the Words

The word translated “seek” is dzēteō, which means “to seek after,” “to look for,” or “to try to find.” It is expressed here as a participle, so it could be translated as “we are trying.”

Paul asks if Christ is a minister of sin. The word “minister” is translated from diakonos, which refers to “someone who is a servant” or “someone who waits on tables.” We can see from this that Paul is asking if Christ is serving sin.

His own response to this question is mē genoito. The word mē means “not” in a subjective sense and the word genoito (from ginomai, meaning “to come into being”) is expressed in the rare Optative mood indicating that the condition does not currently exist. As we put this all together we see that this expression means, “it is not so, and may it never even begin to be so.” In our modern vernacular we would say “There is no way!”

Meaning Explained

This verse is very difficult to understand and has been the subject of much debate over the years. One school of thought sees this as a Jewish objection as follows: If we are freed from the Law through faith in Christ then there is no rule of life (since we no longer have to follow the Law). Without the restraining effect of the Law, this produces a life of sin. Therefore Christ, who introduced this system through grace, must be regarded as the one who is serving up sin.

Although it is only a subtle distinction, I think it is more reasonable to see this as answering a direct objection to justification by faith. Throughout the life of the church people (especially legalizers) have objected to justification by faith alone, claiming that if saved Christians do not have to obey the Law then they are free to engage in a life of sinning at will without consequences. As a result, Christ appears to be enabling a Christian to sin freely without consequences.

Paul certainly does not teach that we now have the freedom to live as we want. As he will point out in the next few verses, we no longer are free to live in sin because we have been crucified with Christ and now owe our entire existence to Him. Therefore, we can no longer live as we wish, we cannot sin at will, rather we are constrained to let Christ live through us. That is, we are to subject our will to His in all areas of life. Since sin cannot abide in His presence, by being in Christ we are restrained from sinning, not free to sin as we want.

Application

We have to daily submit our will to Christ and commit to living our lives in a godly way, not because we have to in order to secure our salvation, but because we want to and we owe it to Him who gave Himself for us.

Are you grateful for what Christ has done for you eternally? If so, you should submit your will to Him and commit to following His example out of gratitude and respect.

That’s something to think about!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:16 – Justified by Faith

Posted on September 19, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:16

knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Truth to Learn

We are not justified before God by doing any works or obeying any rules. We are justified only by God’s grace, through faith.

Behind the Words

The word translated “justified” is dikaioutai which is a verb form of the noun dikaios, meaning “righteousness.” Hence, dikaioutai (a passive form of the verb), literally means “to be made righteous.” The translators could have rendered the opening of this verse as, “knowing that a man is not made righteous by works of the law …’

Meaning Explained

The first part of this verse makes it clear that Paul recognized those to whom he was talking were truly Christians (even we have believed in Christ Jesus). And Paul points out that they all knew that Christians have righteousness before God not from what we do, but from what we believe.

Peter, Barnabas, and the other Christian Jews with them, according to Paul, were all made righteous before God because they believed that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and that his death on the cross paid for their sins. And, just as God placed all our sins on Jesus while he was hanging on the cross, He also placed the righteousness of Christ on those of us who believe. Hence, we are made righteous by faith, not by works because, as Paul says here, “for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified (made righteous).” Here’s how Paul said it in the book of Romans?

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:20-24)

It is only through the grace of God that we are declared righteous. He didn’t have to do this, but He chose to do it. There is no amount of works (acts, deeds, contrition, penance, sacrifice, or anything that we do no our own) that will make us righteous in God’s eyes. This applies equally to our lives after salvation as it did before salvation. We are righteous in God’s eyes ONLY because He declared us to be so.

Application

For those of you who have never accepted God’s gift of salvation, you can never do enough good works to merit righteousness in God’s eyes. Righteousness only comes from believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins.

And for those of you who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation, you can never make yourself more righteous or acceptable to God by works of obedience!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:15 – Arrogant Servant?

Posted on September 18, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:15

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

Truth to Learn

An arrogant Christian is an oxymoron. We who are saved by the blood of Christ should never be proud of ourselves.

Behind the Words

The words “by nature” are translated from the Greek word phusis. This word is derived from the noun phuo, which means “to bring forth” or “to give birth.” In this verse this word refers to the Jews who were natural born Jews, that is, those who had been Jews since birth.

Meaning Explained

Although this is a short verse it elicits a couple of questions that have been the topics of debate for centuries. The first, and less obvious, is, “Who is Paul addressing with the remainder of this chapter?” Some say that he is now again addressing the Galatian Christians, while others argue that Paul is still addressing Peter, Barnabas, and the other Jews in their company. To answer this question let’s look at the context. In this verse and the remainder of the chapter Paul does not specifically indicate that he has changed audiences however beginning with the first verse of the next chapter he does, for he says: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that …” So it appears that the remainder of the current chapter is a recounting of what Paul said to Peter, Barnabas, and the others.

The second question that has arisen about this verse is, “What does Paul mean by “not sinners of the Gentiles’?” It appears that he is saying that all Gentiles are sinners and that all Jews are righteous. But, if you read Paul’s letter to the Romans you find that Paul understands that there is neither a Jew nor a Gentile who is not a sinner.

What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Gentiles that they are all under sin. As it is written: “there is none righteous, no, not one;”(Romans 3:9, 10)

What Paul is referring to in the current verse is that the Jews were given special revelation with the bringing of the Law, and God chose them to be caretakers of this Law. Therefore, the Jews had complete instruction of what God’s expects from mankind whereas the Gentiles did not have this instruction. As a result, the Gentiles were not restrained from sinning as the Jews were because they didn’t have God’s revelation to man. And, for this reason, the Jews tended to think of themselves as righteous by the keeping of the Law and they thought of Gentiles as unrighteous and sinful, unfit for fellowship or even conversation.

Paul is going to use this notion to reiterate for the others that it is not through the keeping of the Law that we are righteous but through faith in Jesus Christ. And these others know this truth, but they have allowed themselves to be drawn away from the simple truths of the gospel into hypocrisy.

Application

Have you allowed yourself to become arrogant in your faith, somehow better than others who are sinful and unsaved?

We all need to return to the basics of our faith from time to time to remember that we are saved by God’s grace. As such, our calling in life is to be humble, submitted servants of our Lord (our owner) who is also our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:14 – Walking Straight Footed

Posted on September 14, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:14

But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

Truth to Learn

Focus on serving God and giving Him the glory and your Christian walk will be straightforward.

Behind the Words

The word translated “straightforward” is the Greek word, “orthopodousin” which is composed of “orthos” meaning “straight or upright” and a form of “pous” meaning “foot.” Hence, it literally means “straight footed,” but it carries the meaning of walking the straight path and doing so in the proper or upright manner or “to behave in the proper manner.”

Meaning Explained

The apostle Paul is often bold and very direct, and there never seems to be even a hint of malice in his actions or words. Here we see him directly confronting the apostle Peter about his hypocrisy. Paul saw it for what it was and called Peter on it right there in front of Barnabas and the other Jews.

Peter and the others weren’t being straightforward about the truth of the gospel. Paul obviously views the term gospel as representing more than just the good news about salvation through faith in the shed blood of Christ. To him it includes all the truth about how we should conduct ourselves on this earth as children of our Heavenly Father.

Peter was a Jew by birth and upbringing, just as Paul was. He knew the Law and learned to obey it as a small child. Now that God has revealed the truth to Peter, however, he knows that the requirements of the Law do not apply to Christians. That’s why he is willing to sit and eat with Gentile Christians and, apparently, even partake of the same food as them. And Paul, putting the challenge to him the way he did, affirms that Christians don’t have to keep the Law.

In effect, what Paul said to Peter is, “If you don’t have to obey the Law anymore, why do you insist that Gentile Christians obey the Law.” You see, both Paul and Peter knew that Christ set us free from the bondage of the Law. Here’s how Paul said it to the Romans.

We are not bound by the law of commandments but by a higher law, the law of love for others. We should focus on pleasing God by doing everything we can to bring praise to Him instead of ourselves. If that is our constant focus then we will always be walking “straight footed.”

Application

Are you still trying to please God by obeying the Law of commandments and ordinances or church rules that are inconsistent with New Testament faith in Christ? Or are you trying to please God and bring praise to Him?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:13 – Contagious Hypocrisy

Posted on September 13, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:13

And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Truth to Learn

Your actions have an affect on others in the body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word, “hypocrite” is translated from, “hupokrinomai” which is made up of “hupo” meaning “under”, indicating secrecy, and a form of “krino” meaning “to judge.” Originally it meant to respond or reply but it later came to mean to inquire, distinguish, and get under the meaning of dreams (to interpret them.) Eventually it acquired the meaning to represent, act, or impersonate someone as an actor would. Hence it came to be applied to an actor playing a part or to someone pretending to be what they are not. That is the meaning that it has today, someone who intentionally appears to be different than what they really are.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Paul explained how the apostle Peter behaved hypocritically with respect to the requirements of the Law. Even though God had miraculously revealed to Peter that the Gentiles are not unclean and even though Peter had been part of the church council at Jerusalem where it was decided that the Gentile Christians were not bound by the requirements of the Law, he still felt the need to obey the Law himself, at least while in the presence of other Jews.

Peter knew there was no longer any requirement to separate from Gentiles and freely associated with them as long as there were no Jews around. But as soon as some of his Jewish friends came from Jerusalem, he no longer associated with these Gentiles. He was more concerned with what the Jewish brothers thought of him than what his Gentile brothers in Christ thought of him. And it is implied that these Jewish brothers who came from Jerusalem were Christians as well. So, instead of Peter being a good example to them, showing that fellowshipping with non-Jewish Christian brethren was allowed, even appropriate, he separated himself from these Gentile believers. He was being a hypocrite.

Because of Peter’s hypocrisy, he caused the other Jewish Christians to also behave hypocritically with respect to the Gentile believers. Peter’s influence was not just on the weaker brothers either. Even Barnabas, who has Paul’s companion on the first missionary journey to the Gentiles, was adversely influenced by Peter’s actions. How tragic!

Application

Many Christians today are more concerned with what others think than what God thinks. Not only are our unsaved neighbors and co-workers observing our behavior, but others in the Church as well. We should be transparent, that is, we should act the way we believe. We need to be witnesses of God’s grace to everyone around us and we must do so in a way that will glorify God not bring shame to Him. One day we will all stand before God to give account of our actions. Not for our sins, these were all taken care of at the cross, but for our service to Him. If our actions are directed by what others think of us they will be burned up like wood, hay, and stubble. But if our actions are based on what God wants us to do they will survive the testing fire like gold, silver, and precious stones.

What materials are you building with?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Galatians 2:12 – Hypocrisy in Action

Posted on September 12, 2007 by admin

Galatians 2:12

for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Truth to Learn

Hypocrisy is one of the ugliest forms of self-centeredness in a Christian. It reveals the true selfish sinfulness of the heart.

Behind the Words

The word “withdrew” is from hupostellō, which means “to retract” or “to withdraw.” Used, as it is here, with the personal pronoun “himself,” it shows that Peter made a deliberate action of withdrawing himself.

The word “separated” is from the Greek word aphoridzō, which means “to make a very distinct and clear separation between two things.” The root of this word is the very word from which the Pharisees got their name.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that the apostle Paul stood-up against the apostle Peter when Peter came to Antioch. In the current verse we learn why he did this. Peter had come to Antioch, whether on church business or not we aren’t told. When he came there he freely permitted himself to sit down and eat with the Gentiles. This is probably a reference to members of the church at Antioch who were Gentiles before they were converted to Christianity.

We need to understand, however, that it was not lawful for a Jew to have fellowship with Gentiles. If you read through Acts chapter 10, however, you will see that God spoke directly to Peter to convince him that it was alright for a Jew to commune with Gentiles. Peter listened obediently to God and became an evangelistic witness to a Roman centurion named Cornelius, his family, and friends. When Peter returned to Jerusalem he was challenged by some of the Jewish Christians there because he went in and ate with Gentiles. Peter then proceeded to explain his vision and the saving work of the Holy Spirit through him to the Gentiles. Here’s how the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem responded to his explanation:

When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)

So, it is not unusual that Peter was eating with Gentiles in Antioch when he was there, knowing that he was no longer bound by the Law of Moses. The problem is that when some Jewish Christians came from the Church in Jerusalem, Peter then acted with them as if he were still bound by the Law and very intentionally separated himself from the Gentiles just as a Pharisee would do. Not only was this very impolite, even rude, to the Gentile Christians in Antioch, but Peter was displaying his ugly hypocrisy to the entire church there.

Application

If we are going to be effective witnesses for Christ we can’t be hypocritical about our faith. Many an unsaved person has been turned-off to the truths of Christ because they have seen people professing to be Christians not living like Christians should. Whether we realize it or not, others are watching how we live and we are a silent witness for Christ to them.

Is your witness turning others to Christ or away from Him?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –