Galatians 2:15-21

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

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! For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 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. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died needlessly.

Context: Paul's Confrontation with Peter

Paul publicly confronted Peter for hypocrisy. Peter had affirmed salvation by faith alone but then separated from Gentiles, compelling them to live as Jews to fellowship. This risked endorsing the false gospel of the Judaizers, who taught that circumcision and law observance were required for justification alongside faith in Christ.

Verses 15-21 continue Paul's direct words to Peter, likely heard by other hypocritical Jews, Barnabas, and the Judaizers themselves. Paul argues for grace and faith, against legalism—the idea that works earn justification.

Three Key Principles

1. Justification Is by Faith Alone

Paul addresses Jews by birth, not "sinners of the Gentiles"—a perception that Gentiles needed circumcision and law observance for salvation. Yet Paul and Peter know: "a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ." Even Jews are justified this way, not by works, "for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified."

Old Testament believers were saved the same way: by faith in the coming Messiah. Justification is God declaring us "not guilty" based on Christ's righteousness, presented as our merit before the Father. Faith is the instrument—relying solely on Christ's work.

2. Legalism Is Immensely Ugly

If seeking justification by Christ makes us "sinners" like uncircumcised Gentiles, "is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not!" The Judaizers' logic fails. Paul destroyed the notion of salvation by law works at the Jerusalem Council and Antioch. Rebuilding it makes him the transgressor—not those justified by faith alone.

The real law-breaker imposes law-keeping on others for salvation. Legalism perverts the gospel, making Christ's death needless if righteousness comes through law.

3. Real Obedience: Crucified with Christ

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

This succinctly describes the believer: the old self died with Christ; now Christ lives in us. We live by faith in Him.

Forgetting Who We Are in Christ

Peter forgot his identity in Christ, seeking approval from men through hypocrisy. Paul reminds him: we've experienced free justification by grace through faith—God's gift, not our achievement. Faith receives Christ's righteousness like a case filled with His merits, plus union with Him as companion.

We often forget too, pursuing desires or approval, acting as if we belong to ourselves. Reminding ourselves of justification produces:

Gratefulness

Sin is ingratitude toward free grace. Gratitude inclines us to say no to temptation.

Value

Devaluing justification leads to actions contrary to being declared righteous.

Humility

Justification is external—God's declaration, not internal achievement. We contributed nothing; faith receives what we couldn't earn. Pride sees self as righteous; humility sees us as rebels deserving wrath, saved only by grace.

We're All on the Same Playing Field

No one deserves justification more—Jews or Gentiles. All are sinners fallen short of God's glory.

Your Life Ended; a New One Began

Crucified with Christ means:

• Died to old ways: slave to sin, selfish interests—now freed from sin's power, guilt, judgment.
• Union with Christ: He controls, reigns as sovereign Lord. True freedom is from sin and law-keeping, now slaves to righteousness.
• Powerful assistance: Christ's life in us enables righteousness. Consider yourself dead to sin, alive to God (Romans 6). Live by faith in His power, not your own—like Paul's thorn, where grace suffices and power perfects in weakness.
• Reassurance: He loved me and gave Himself for me.

True obedience is living by faith in the Son of God—faith alone saves, but saving faith submits to Christ as Lord. Keep this on your mind as a tool for life's trials.