“We,
being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
Galatians 2:15-16
Galatians 2 [11.] But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?
Galatians 2 [15.] “We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.
Galatians 2 [20.] I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
Meaning:
Paul has just described how he opposed Peter at Antioch. Peter had eaten with Gentile believers, but when people came from James he withdrew, and even Barnabas followed him (Galatians 2:12-13). Paul asked Peter why he was compelling Gentiles to live like Jews. These verses state the principle at stake, the same truth Peter himself had declared at the Jerusalem council: “we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are” (Acts 15:11).
- “We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners”
Paul speaks as a Jew to a fellow Jew. Jews had God’s law and covenant; Gentiles were often called “sinners” because they lived outside the law. Paul uses the common phrase to make his point: even with all their privileges, Jews needed to be made right with God in the same way as Gentiles.
- “A man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ”
To be justified is to be declared righteous by God, accepted as right with him. Paul insists that this does not come from keeping the law. Many understand “the works of the law” as any effort to earn God’s acceptance by obeying his commands; others stress that Paul especially has in mind the practices that marked Jews off from Gentiles, such as circumcision and food laws. Either way, Paul’s conclusion is the same. Some also read the phrase translated “faith in Jesus Christ” as referring to Christ’s own faithfulness. In both readings, people are made right with God through Christ and not through the law, and the verse goes on to say plainly, “even we believed in Christ Jesus.”
- “Because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law”
Paul echoes the psalm: “in your sight no man living is righteous” (Psalm 143:2). He makes the same point in Romans (Romans 3:20), and concludes “that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). He wanted to be found in Christ, “not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9).
The Significance of Galatians 2:15-16
- One way for all
Jew and Gentile, religious and irreligious, all come to God the same way. This truth still unites believers.
- Faith that lives
Justification by faith does not make obedience unimportant. Paul goes on to say, “it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Cross-References:
Acts 15:11: "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are." Peter’s words at the council.
Romans 3:20: Paul teaches that no flesh is justified by the works of the law.
Philippians 3:9: "Not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ." Righteousness from God.
Conclusion: Paul reminded Peter that even Jews, who had the law, knew that no one is justified by its works but only through faith in Jesus Christ. Since Jews and Gentiles are made right with God in the same way, Gentile believers must not be compelled to live as Jews.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible