Paul Pleads for the Poor, Rebukes Peter
| Galatians 2:10 | The new Jewish believers of Jerusalem were wicked poor. They paid a heavy sacrifice for their faith by being ostracized from Jewish culture and commerce for their steadfast faith in Jesus Christ Paul too was sensitive as were the early church to the leading of the Holy Spirit in His compelling desire to band together not just as participants at some church service, but at the much deeper checkbook level. THAT is koinonia.Biblical glimpses of this are seen:
Acts 2:42-45 The beginning of the Spirit’s movement on Chrst’s new Bride. The pooled resources is one of the distinctives of the church. Acts 4:32-35 – Sometimes this is manifested in the present day church. Someone needs lumber for a repair project; one of the brothers goes and buys it without thought to cost; a sister cooks and delivers dinner from money and food from her home without thought of reimbursement. Acts 5:1-ff Ananias and Sapphira were the counterfeits of this purity nd simple innocence of money. They wanted the glory, while the others gave no thought of recognition. Romans 15:26 the word for contribution is the Greek koinonia, fellowship. How much more intimate than the giving of money.Other references 1 Cor 8:4, 16:1-4 2 Cor 8:4 ff |
| Galatians 2:11-14 | Paul begins an illustration of the encounter he had with Peter and others to:
This action also brought unity back to the Gentiles and Jews, as there was only one Gospel, and not two. |
| Galatians 2:15-16 | In verse 15, Paul uses language that the Jews would understand, as they were steeped in the Law and therefore considered the Gentiles as sinners since the Gentiles did not keep the Law. Make no mistake, keeping the Law didn’t keep anyone from being a sinner.
In verse 16, the case for justification by faith alone. He goes on to say that as a “good” Pharisee, he had to open his quest for faith by works to attain justification, that is, made right in the eyes of God. |
| Galatians 2:17 | Since he is not justified by the Law, the twisted argument that follows would say, “OK, no Law is needed to be right before God, let’s toss the Law and live like there’s no tomorrow.” Sorry. Although the Law doesn’t save, we who love Jesus keep His commandments Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, souls, and strength, and your neighbor as yourself. This isn’t justifying, it’s the heart’s response and manifestation of the believer.
Paul battled this heresy here, and later when he returned to Jerusalem, where his detractors said to abandon the Law, and were so infuriated, they vowed to kill him. See Acts 21:21 Antinomianism, the twisted idea in this verse, is the opposite of “faith by works.” It says in essence, that since w are saved by grace and not by works of the Law (ten commandments a part of the Law), then we need not observe the commandments. ref: http://www.theopedia.com/Antinomianism |
| Galatians 2:18-21 | If Paul does this thing, he’s the hypocrite. The only way is to die to the Law. That means the court is adjourned when the defendant dies; you can’t convict a dead woman or man of anything! See Romans 6:2, 7:4 1 Cor 9:20 |
Cult Spotlight – Jehovah’s Witnesses
Watchtower Society in a Nutshell:
Source: carm.org
Memory Verse – “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” -Gal 2:20
Application – Recognize that there are simply things we can’t accomplish without God’s grace (help.) Ask God for His grace, and leave the things of God to Him.