Gálatas 2
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gálatas 2
Guzik writes "It might be easy for Paul to say, “This doesn’t affect me. After all, I am a Jew and have been circumcised under the Law of Moses. I’ll let Titus or other Gentiles deal with this problem, because these false brethren have a problem with them, not me.” Paul realized that if the message of the Gospel was compromised, it wasn’t just bondage for the Gentiles, but it was bondage for everyone who named the name of Jesus." (Galatians 2 Commentary) F F Bruce - As the gospel of grace liberates (cf. Gal 4:26+; Gal 5:1a+), so legalism enslaves (cf. Gal 4:24f+.; Gal 5:1b+, Gal 5:3+). (NIGTC: Galatians) Bring us into bondage (“in order that they might bring us into utter bondage") (2615)(katadouloo from kata = intensifies meaning but also can convey sense of "down” which suggests domination [cp "according {kata} to the law" - Ro 8:4+] + douloo = to enslave, bring into bondage) means to enslave utterly, absolutely, completely and without qualification. Can you get a picture of what Paul is saying by using this rare verb? Katadouloo is used only twice in the NT, here and in 2 Cor 11:20 "For you bear with anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face." Katadouloo is the antithesis of the verb eleutheroo which means to make free. Katadouloo - 7x in the Lxx - Gen. 47:21 Exodus 1:14 ("they rigorously imposed [Lxx = katadouloo] on them"); Exodus 6:5. ; Ezra 7:24; Jer. 15:14 (" I will make you serve your enemies" NET); Ezek. 29:18; 34:27 Here in Gal 2:4 Paul uses katadouloo in the middle voice (reflexive sense) which signifies they desire to make others a slave for themselves! Phillip Ryken - Freedom has as many joys and struggles in the spiritual realm as it does in human society. Dr. King knew this, for he borrowed his famous words from an old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we're free at last!" The song's first and primary meaning was about freedom from sin through Jesus Christ. Freedom in Christ was the apostle Paul's concern as he wrote Galatians, a letter sometimes known as the Magna Carta of Christian liberty. Paul knew how precious spiritual freedom is. He knew the price that Jesus paid on the cross to gain it. He also knew how easy it is to squander that freedom and return to spiritual bondage. This is why Paul wrote to the Galatians with such urgency. They believed the gospel of the cross and the empty tomb. They had gained true spiritual freedom by putting their faith in Christ crucified and Christ risen. But now they were under the spell of teachers who wanted to add the law of Moses to the gospel of Christ (see Gal. 3:1+). As a result, they were in danger of becoming enslaved all over again (see Gal. 5:1+). (Reformed Expository Commentary – Galatians) Phil Newton notes that bring us into bondage "implies the slavery of the Law that has no power to justify. It was that yoke which the Jews bore for hundreds of years, that yoke of trying to position themselves before God in righteousness by their works of the law. The Law never justified anyone during that period, nor could it during Paul's day, nor does it in our own day. As we have noted previously, the hardest thing for a person to accept is that he can do absolutely nothing to justify himself before God. Man wants to do something. Particularly, in our society of rugged individualism, people are easily swayed into thinking that 'God helps those who help themselves', so they must help God out. They must add to the work of Christ their own works of service or their baptism or their following particular liturgies or their membership in particular churches. 'Oh, if I can just teach or preach or sing in the choir, then God will be pleased so that he just cannot reject me!' 'If I can just go on a mission trip or be on a church committee or be a church officer, then I will have what I need to be right with God!' My brethren, I have only one word for such thoughts: "BONDAGE!" Yes, the whole motive of those who creep into churches without truly being justified is to tie others up with the same bondage that has enslaved them. Miserable sinners love the company of more miserable sinners. They despise the company of the saints! They will work tirelessly and deceitfully, to persuade others that Jesus Christ and His finished work is just not enough. We stand with the Apostle to reject such false gospel!" (Galatians 2:1-10 Affirming the Gospel Message) Norman Bartlett - The future tense (of bring us into bondage) tells us that it was not merely their intention, but that they thought they had assured hopes of success in bring the Gentile believers under the yoke of Judaism. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." We may depend upon it that Satan and his minions will do everything within their power to induce believers to substitute a Gospel of works for trust in the all-sufficient merits of JESUS' blood shed upon the Cross of Calvary. Let not the enemies of the Gospel spike our guns by robbing us of reliance upon grace alone to save and keep us saved. (Galatians 2:1-10 - Personal Explanation) SPIRITUAL FREEDOM: ELEUTHERIA A short digression of eleutheria or spiritual freedom - It is paramount to understand that spiritual freedom does not equate with licence. Freedom never means the right to do as we please. To the contrary, true spiritual freedom is the power to do as we should. Stated another way true liberty is living as we should not as we please. In no NT passage does this concept refer to political freedom nor to the Stoic's fallacious idea of freedom of the flesh from emotion and desire. Freedom does not equal license. In the NT, freedom takes its meaning from the fact that unredeemed human beings are locked in terrible bondage which is beyond their ability to overcome. Freedom is attractive to sinful human nature, especially when misunderstood. Mankind's view of freedom is distorted, for true freedom is found in responsible discipline rather than in reckless dissipation. Peter warns, "Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God" (1 Peter 2:16). False teachers lure followers with promises of the freedom that our fallen flesh craves. The Bible describes these teachers "By appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is slave to whatever has mastered him" (2 Pe 2:18-19). The false promise of freedom that we can have a license to indulge ourselves is an invitation to sure spiritual disaster and ultimately to eternal death if one never experiences repentance and belief in Christ. The freedom that Scripture offers does not include independence, or release from restriction. Instead, genuine Biblical freedom is to be found only in willingly choosing to submit to our new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are His by right of blood purchase (1 Cor 6:19, 20, Rev 5:9) and yet we need to make the daily choice to obey Him but not as under law but under grace (for the Spirit energizes even our desire - Php 2:13NLT), and in so doing to prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, and perfect (Ro 12:2). The believer's freedom in Christ allows us the privilege of entering into the wonderful will of the Father, which is only place we can experience genuine rest and perfect blessing. And so we have a spiritual paradox, for as a bondservants of Jesus -- on the one hand we are bound to Him but on the other we are free in Him! As Jesus Himself promised "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (eleutheroo).....If therefore the Son shall make you free (eleutheroo), you shall be free (eleutheros) indeed." (John 8:31-32, 36) How can slavery to Christ be true freedom? In several significant ways. (1). Only by submitting to our Master Jesus and living by His words are we free to experience Truth. Only then are we guided away from what hurts to what is truly beneficial. (2). Only by submitting to Master Jesus can we experience the immense power for true goodness that is provided for us in the Holy Spirit Who indwells us. What we could never do in our own strength, the Spirit can enable us to do. In a real sense, freedom is freedom to achieve exceeding abundantly more than we could ever ask or even think possible (Eph 3:20). (3). The kind of freedom that would release us from all restraint could never free us from the consequences of our actions (Gal 6:7, 8). The Christian knows that the consequences of his or her actions carry over even into eternity. Any freedom that is meaningful must release us from actions that lead to corruption. A commitment to serve Jesus promises us holiness, and the consequences of a holy life are blessings now and forever. The blessing that being a bondservant of Jesus produces helps us realize that servitude provides the most real and wonderful freedom there can be. Finally, we human beings are creatures. We have been shaped by God to love Him and to enjoy Him forever. Only by choosing to serve God can we become the people we were created to be. This freedom to experience our destiny is a wonderful freedom indeed! Little wonder that spies try to sneak in and steal our freedom in Christ! ILLUSTRATION - ON MEANING OF ELEUTHERIA - Back in the nineteenth century our sixteenth president realized something radical must be done about slavery in our country. Unwilling to look the other way any longer, on September 22, 1862, he presented what came to be known as the Emancipation Proclamation, an official document condemning human slavery. Abraham Lincoln, realizing that slavery is completely against human dignity, officially abolished it from the United States on that day. Tragically, little changed in the daily life of our nation, even though the slaves were officially declared free. You know why; you’ve read the stories. The Civil War was still going on. The plantation owners never informed their slaves. The vast majority of the former slaves couldn’t read, so they had no idea what the news was carrying. There was no mass media then to announce those kinds of presidential pronouncements. And so for the longest time, slavery continued even though it had been officially brought to an end. The war ended in April 1865. Do you know when Lincoln’s declaration was officially enacted? When the people finally began to leave their enslaved lives and make their way toward freedom? December 18, 1865—more than three years after he first released his proclamation. Lincoln had been dead for months. The word traveled out of the streets of Washington and down into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, across the back roads of the Carolinas and into Georgia, then Alabama, then Mississippi, then Louisiana, then Texas, then Arkansas, announcing what had been true for more than a thousand days. Even then the word somehow either wasn’t believed or wasn’t acted upon. Those officially emancipated people, thinking slavery was the way they were condemned to exist, continued to live in bondage though they had been declared free men and women since the fall of 1862. (Churck Swindoll - Embraced by the Spirit The Untold Blessings of Intimacy with God) Galatians 2:4 Don Fortner-Grace for Today ‘Our Liberty’ - Gal 2:4 The Lord Jesus Christ has given us true liberty. In Christ we have been freed from sin, Satan and the law. In him we are free from all religious traditions, customs and superstitions. And in Christ we are free to use every creature of God for food, happiness, comfort and satisfaction. Neither the church nor those who preach the gospel have any authority to bring God’s people under bondage again, by making their own rules, dogmas and covenants for Christian conduct. I offer these suggestions with the prayer that they may help you to honor the Lord in the exercise of your liberty in Christ. 1. Do not make the use or non-use of indifferent things a point of merit before God. Indifferent things become idolatrous when you make the use or non-use of them a means of obtaining favor with God, a means of religious devotion, or a means of obtaining a peaceful conscience. 2. Use all things in moderation. The believer’s principle of conduct is not total abstinence, but temperance, moderation and self-control. Eating is not wrong, but gluttony is. A glass of wine is not wrong (our Lord did provide the wine for the marriage feast of Cana), but drunkenness is wrong. Entertainment is not wrong, but reveling is. Our principle is ‘Use all things wisely, abusing none.’ 3. Carefully avoid offending your brother. I do not mean that you must submit to the self-righteous notions of men. But we must not be the cause of a brother acting contrary to his own conscience. This is what Paul means by offending the brethren. We must avoid it at all costs. My brother’s conscience is more important than my personal desires. 4. Make your use of all things subservient to the glory of God, the gospel of Christ and the welfare of the church. In all things, make your love for Christ and his people the basis of your actions. Use your liberty in Christ for the honor of Christ, and you will not go far astray. We must avoid both licentiousness and legalism. Both are dreadful evils. God’s people are called into liberty! Ian Paisley - Glorious Liberty "Our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus." Galatians 2:4 The liberty which we have in Christ Jesus is the glorious liberty of the sons of God. I. The Liberty of the Acquittal by God To be acquitted at the bar of God from all our sins, not by a mere pardon, but by an act of justification, through the full payment by another of all our transgressions, brings a liberty which no man understandeth but he who possesses it. This is freedom indeed, the liberty with which Christ makes the sinner free. All sins fully paid for and their penalty met by the bloodshedding of Christ. II. The Liberty of Approach to God Sin has erected a barrier between the sinner and God. The sinner cannot get near to God. His sins have separated him from his God. But Christ has removed the barrier and demolished forever sin's wall of separation. He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us. "Having boldness therefore brethren to enter into the Holiest of all by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way." Oh walk that perfect way of liberty today, the liberty of approach to God. III. The Liberty of Acceptance by God To be accepted by God, what a liberty is that! "Accepted in the Beloved." No fear! No darkness! No separation! Embraced! Cleansed! Perfect in Christ! That is the liberty of the saints in light. It can be yours today by the gift of God. Call on Christ to liberate your soul by the acquittal by God, the approach to God and the acceptance of God. (A Text A Day Keeps the Devil Away) Ian Paisley - Spy Mastering "And that because of fake brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage." Galatians 2:4 Gospel Liberty The Gospel is the Gospel of liberty, it delivers us from the tradition of the elders. There are those who would chain God's people with the goading bondage of the yoke of that tradition. They manufacture rules and condemn those who do not conform to their commandments. This unholy legalism must be clearly distinguished from lawfulness which is the keeping of God's holy commandments. The Spies Paul was a spy exposer, and he uncovered the working of such a devil inspired emissary. Note his language. He condemned them as "false brethren", who work "privily and unawares" "to bring the free people of God into bondage". The Counteraction Paul moved ruthlessly against them, "To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." Galatians 2:5. He was not even afraid to take on Peter, himself withsanding him to the face because he was to be blamed (verse 11). Gospel liberty must be preserved at whatever cost. We who have begun in the Spirit cannot perfect ourselves in the flesh. (A Text A Day Keeps the Devil Away) Galatians 2:5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. Greek: ois oude pros horan eixamen (1PAAI) te hupotage, hina e aletheia tou euaggeliou diameine (3SAAS) pros humas. Amplified: To them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the Gospel might continue to be [preserved] for you [in its purity]. Phillips We did not give those men an inch, for the truth of the Gospel for you and all Gentiles was at stake. Wuest To whom not even for an hour did we yield with reference to the particular voluntary submission (demanded), in order that the truth of the gospel might abide for you. (Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. GNT Galatians 2:5 οἷς οὐδὲ πρὸς ὥραν εἴξαμεν τῇ ὑποταγῇ, ἵνα ἡ ἀλήθεια τοῦ εὐαγγελίου διαμείνῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς. NLT Galatians 2:5 But we refused to give in to them for a single moment. We wanted to preserve the truth of the gospel message for you. KJV Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. ESV Galatians 2:5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. ASV Galatians 2:5 to whom we gave place in the way of subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. CSB Galatians 2:5 But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you. NIV Galatians 2:5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. NKJ Galatians 2:5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. NRS Galatians 2:5 we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. YLT Galatians 2:5 to whom not even for an hour we gave place by subjection, that the truth of the good news might remain to you. NAB Galatians 2:5 to them we did not submit even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain intact for you. NJB Galatians 2:5 people we did not defer to for one moment, or the truth of the gospel preached to you might have been compromised. GWN Galatians 2:5 But we did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the Good News would always be yours. BBE Galatians 2:5 To whom we gave way not even for an hour; so that the true words of the good news might still be with you. we did not yield in subjection: Ga 3:1,2 Ac 15:2 Col 2:4-8 Jude 1:3 So that the truth of the gospel would remain with you : Ga 2:14 4:16 Eph 1:13 Col 1:5 1Th 2:13 Galatians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries NO CAVING IN OR COMPROMISE CONCERNING THE GOSPEL But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour - "We did not cave in to their demands." Phillips paraphrases it "We did not give those men an inch." Notice the we which indicates Paul and Barnabas (the leaders) and Titus (the test case) did not budge. The Greek uses oude indicating absolute negation. It never crossed their mind to yield on the essential truth of the Gospel.
Gálatas 2
Guzik comments that "These distinctions were not absolute; each did minister to the other groups." “For the partition was not one that fixed hard and fast boundaries that they must not pass, like those of kingdoms, principalities, and provinces.” (Calvin) Yet, the distinction is interesting, especially because Roman Catholics claim that the Pope is the successor of Peter—but where through history is the Pope’s ministry to the Jews? “But if Peter’s apostleship pertained peculiarly to the Jews, let the Romanists ask by what right they derive from him their succession to the primacy. If the Pope of Rome claims the primacy because he is Peter’s successor, he ought to exercise it over the Jews. Paul is here declared to be the chief apostle of the Gentiles; yet they deny that he was the bishop of Rome. Therefore, if the Pope would enter into the possession of his primacy, let him assemble Churches from the Jews.” (Calvin) Selywn
Gálatas 2
Guzik - Yet now Peter refused to eat with Gentile believers. When a Jew refused to eat with a Gentile, he did this in obedience to Jewish rituals. Peter had already learned that obedience to these rituals (such as keeping kosher) was not essential for salvation, for either Jews or Gentiles (Acts 10 and 11). Peter had stopped keeping these Jewish rituals for himself, but now he acted as if he did keep them, so as to accommodate the legalism of the certain men from James. Peter no longer kept a strict observance of the Law of Moses for himself, but by his actions, he implied that Gentiles believers must keep the law—when he himself did not. Eat with (4906) (sunesthio from sun/syn = together with + esthío = to eat) means literally to eat with someone, to take food together with. Friberg adds the verb means "of social association eat together, associate with on familiar terms." (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) The use of the imperfect tense here in Gal 2:12 indicates that Peter joined the Gentiles in meals repeatedly. It was Peter's regular practice to commune with them. (see John MacArthur's interpretation below). Note the prefix sun/syn which speaks of an intimate association. Clearly Peter's interaction with these Gentile Christian was one of close communion and genuine fellowship with his Gentile brothers in Christ. It was a good relationship that spoke powerfully to the unifying effect of the Gospel regarding Jewish and Gentile believers. Peter's subsequent actions however began to impugn the truth of the oneness and unity believers have in Christ. Note especially the events in Acts 11 where Peter actually defended eating with the uncircumcised Gentiles! Clearly he did not remain steadfast in the face of Jewish peer pressure as Paul relates here in Gal 2:12. Paul himself gave instructions explaining that one should not eat with a "so-called brother" who is living in sin, which clearly was not true in Peter's failure to eat with the Gentile brethren. It is used only 5x in the NT Luke 15:2+ Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." Acts 10:41+ (Context = Jesus post-resurrection appearances - Acts 10:40) not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him (Jesus) after He arose from the dead. Acts 11:3+ saying, "You went to uncircumcised men (Gentiles) and ate with them." 1 Corinthians 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one. Galatians 2:12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. Sunesthio is used 4x in the Septuagint - Ge 43:32; Ex. 18:12; 2 Sa 12:17; Ps. 100:5 PETER "TRIMS HIS SAILS" But when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision - Paul says what Peter did (withdraw...hold himself aloof) and why he did it, in a word, fear of man! The ESV say "He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision." He began to withdraw (began to shrink back) (5288)(hupostello from hupo = under, underneath + stello = to set, place) means to withdraw, to consciously retreat from a position as Peter did here in Gal 2:12. He originally had fellowshipped with the Gentile believers. In classic Greek hupostello was used to describe a dog tucking (letting down) his tail, a ship's sail that was furled (= to wrap around a stay or mast and fasten by a cord) or drawn down. The lowering of the sail slackens the course. Hupostello is used for strategic military disengagement. Polibius used it to describe troops drawing back from the enemy in order to secure shelter and safety.
Gálatas 2
Guzik - It is easy to criticize Peter; but every person knows what it means to do something that you know is wrong. Everyone knows what it feels like to go against what you know very well is right. Everyone knows what it feels like when social pressure pushes you towards compromise in some way....This was the kind of behavior that dominated Peter’s life before he was transformed by the power of God. This was like Peter telling Jesus not to go to the cross, or Peter taking his eyes off of Jesus and sinking when walking on the water, or like Peter cutting off the ear of the servant of the High Priest when soldiers came to arrest Jesus. We see that the flesh was still present in Peter. Salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit did not made Peter perfect; the old Peter was still there, just seen less often. We might be surprised that Peter compromised even though he knew better; but we are only surprised if we don’t believe what God says about the weakness and corruption of our flesh. Paul himself knew this struggle, as he described it in Romans 7:18: For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. Fear God and you won't fear men. As they often say, it's not how the story begins but how it ends. In Peter's case after a shaky beginning, there was a strong finish (a great example for all God's children to imitate and emulate, especially if they have had past failures in their Christian life!) And so in spite of Peter's actions in Antioch, it is interesting to read Peter's words on fear written about 63AD, some 12-13 years after this episode in Galatians (49-50AD). It is clear that over the intervening decade Peter had continued to grow "in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (cp 2 Peter 3:18+). Listen to the words from a more spiritually mature Peter regarding fear: And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct (command - only possible as we are enabled by the Spirit, so lean hard each day into His presence and sufficient power) yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth;" (1 Peter 1:17+) Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear (red verbs are all commands -- don't try to obey in your strength, for only by relying on the Spirit's enabling power can we keep these commandments) God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:17+) Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. (1 Peter 3:6+) But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness (THE VERY THING THAT HAPPENED TO PETER AS HE WAS EATING WITH THE GENTILES!), you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR (conveys the sense of a command) THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, (1 Peter 3:14+) COMMENT - Can you imagine what went through Peter's mind as he wrote these inspired words, which were the very antithesis of his action years earlier in the church at Antioch! We should all praise God for our continued growth in Christ-likeness as we mature in the faith. Thank You Lord. Amen. Stephen Olford has a thought provoking discussion explaining Peter's withdrawal as an example of the denial of the Cross - Whatever else we can say about Peter, he was dodging the message of the Cross! For...to be justified by the grace of God is to die—as far as the law is concerned, so as to live—as far as God is concerned (Ed: cp Mark 8:34-38). And this is not the first time Peter was rebuked for dodging the crucified life. It happened after his great confession at Caesarea Philippi. What could be clearer than his words "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God"? So sound and fundamental was this declaration that Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt 16:16-19) Yet shortly afterward, when "Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised," we read that "Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you!'" (Mt 16:22) But the Lord "turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.'" (Mt 16:23) Then the Master added: "'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?'" (Mt. 16:24-26). Peter's refusal to accept the way of the Cross eventually led to the shameful denial of his Lord—even after boasting that he would lay down his life for Jesus' sake (Jn 13:37; see Mt. 26:30-35; Mk 14:30-31; Lk 22:31-34). But that was before Pentecost and, therefore, somewhat understandable. But for you and me there is no excuse since we have the Holy Spirit. And yet we are living in an hour when the message of the "crucified life" is the last thing many professing Christians want to hear. They adore the cradle of Christ and await the coming of Christ, but they abhor the Cross of Christ. For many religious people, the Cross is either a stumbling block or a laughing stock (1 Cor. 1:23). For this reason the message of this book is so necessary for true overcomers in the Christian life.(Not I But Christ) Martin Luther commenting on Gal 2:12 wrote that “No man’s standing is so secure that he may not fall. If Peter fell, I may fall. If he rose again, I may rise again. We have the same gifts that they had, the same Christ, the same baptism and the same Gospel, the same forgiveness of sins.” THOUGHT - The tragedy is that Martin Luther's comment proved in a sense a self fulfilled prophecy. Sadly Luther did fall! The following words were penned by Martin Luther. And tragically many of the Jewish people you seek to share the Gospel with are aware of this quote (Here is one example of the fallout - Jerusalem Post article entitled Martin Luther [1483 - 1546]: Theologian of the Holocaust). And to add to the calamity, apparently the Nazis used Luther's attitude toward the Jews to justify his "ethnic cleansing" activities. Even despite his "fall", Martin Luther was clearly a man greatly used by God and all those saved by grace through faith today will be eternally grateful to him for his landmark teaching on justification by faith alone in Christ alone and his courageous stand against the prevalent false teaching of justification by works by the Catholic church. And of course Luther's stand for truth and against error was used by God to spark the Protestant Reformation, even as in a parallel way Paul's stand for the truth of the Gospel was used by God to build His Church. Here is what Luther wrote and it was apparent in the form of a pamphlet: "What then shall we do with this damned, rejected race of Jews? Since they live among us and we know about their lying and blasphemy and cursing, we cannot tolerate them if we do not wish to share in their lies, curses, and blasphemy. In this way we cannot quench the inextinguishable fire of divine rage . . . Let me give you my honest advice. First, their synagogues or Churches should be set on fire, and whatever does not burn up should be covered or spread over with dirt so that no one may ever be able to see a cinder or stone of it. And this ought to be done for the honour of God and of Christianity in order that God may see that we are Christians, and that we have not wittingly tolerated or approved of such public lying, cursing and blaspheming of His Son and His Christians. . . Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed. For they perpetuate the same things there that they do in their synagogues. For the same reason they ought to be put under one roof or in a stable, like gypsies. Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer-books and Talmuds in which such idolatry, lies, cursing, and blasphemy are taught. Fourthly, their rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach any more . . . Fifthly, passport and traveling privileges must be absolutely forbidden to the Jews. For they have no business in the rural districts, since they are not nobles, nor officials, nor merchants, nor the like . . . Sixthly, they ought to be stopped from usury. All their cash and valuables of silver and gold ought to be taken from them and put aside for safe keeping. For this reason, as said before, everything that they possess they stole and robbed from us through their usury, for they have no other means of support . . . Such evilly acquired money is cursed, unless, with God’s blessing, it is put to some good and necessary use . . . If however we are afraid that they might harm us personally . . . then let us apply the same cleverness as the other nations, such as France, Spain, Bohemia, etc., and settle with them for that which they have extorted usuriously from us, and after having divided it up fairly let us drive them out of the country for all time. For, as has been said, God’s rage is so great against them that they only become worse and worse through mild mercy, and not much better through severe mercy. Therefore away with them." (From On the Jews and Their Lies by Martin Luther, 1543) Related Resources: Luther’s Jewish Problem - Commentary on Luther's writing by Jewish believer Bernard Howard On the Jews and Their Lies - Wikipedia Galatians 2:13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. Greek: kai synypekrithēsan (V-AIP-3P) autō kai hoi loipoi Ioudaioi hōste kai Barnabas synapēchthē (V-AIP-3S) autōn tē hypokrisei Amplified: And the rest of the Jews along with him also concealed their true convictions and acted insincerely, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy (their example of insincerity and pretense). Phillips The other Jewish Christians carried out a similar piece of deception, and the force of their bad example was so great that even Barnabas was affected by it. Wuest And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite jointly with him, so that even Barnabas was swept along with their hypocrisy.(Eerdmans Publishing) NET Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy. GNT Galatians 2:13 καὶ συνυπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ [καὶ] οἱ λοιποὶ Ἰουδαῖοι, ὥστε καὶ Βαρναβᾶς συναπήχθη αὐτῶν τῇ ὑποκρίσει. NLT Galatians 2:13 As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter's hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. KJV Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. ESV Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. ASV Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. CSB Galatians 2:13 Then the rest of the Jews joined his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. NIV Galatians 2:13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. NKJ 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. NRS Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. YLT Galatians 2:13 and dissemble with him also did the other Jews, so that also Barnabas was carried away by their dissimulation. NAB Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews (also) acted hypocritically along with him, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. NJB Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews put on the same act as he did, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. GWN Galatians 2:13 The other Jewish Christians also joined him in this hypocrisy. Even Barnabas was swept along with them. BBE Galatians 2:13 And the rest of the Jews went after him, so that even Barnabas was overcome by their false ways. the other (KJV): Ge 12:11-13 26:6,7 27:24 Ec 7:20 10:1 1Co 5:6 8:9 15:33 carried (KJV): Job 15:12 1Co 12:2 Eph 4:14 Heb 13:9 Galatians 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PETER'S PRETENSE PERSUADES OTHERS The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy - Here Paul describes the deleterious consequence of Peter's inconsistent conduct. The effect of Peter who was known as a leader was to draw other Jewish believers to join with him. THOUGHT - Leaders beware! Dear leader be circumspect regarding your conduct (in both public and private) for others are watching you! If you stray down the wrong path, don't be surprised when other follow you down that crooked trail! And don't forget that you will be held responsible. Rest of the Jews - This refers to all of the other Jewish believers at Antioch and not to non-believing Jews who generally not have eaten with Gentiles in the first place. Vine notes that "While there is no direct injunction in the Mosaic Law forbidding the Israelite to eat with the Gentile, a rabbinic deduction to that effect was rigidly observed by the stricter Jews of the sect of the Pharisees."
Gálatas 2
Guzik comments that " The problem with the certain men with James was that they were not thinking and living as if they were dead to the law. For them, they were still alive under the law and they believed keeping the law would make them accepted by God. Not only were they living under the law, but they also wanted the Gentiles to live under the law." (Galatians 2 Commentary)
Gálatas 2
Guzik explains that the Judaizers "said loud and clear, “You can only be right with God if you put yourself under the demands of the Law of Moses. You must be circumcised. You must eat a kosher diet. You must observe the feasts and rituals. You must do nothing that would imply partnership with someone who is not under the Law of Moses. This is the only way to receive the salvation of Jesus.” That message made Paul say, I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel.....What a scene this must have been! There they were, at the Antioch Christian potluck. The Gentile Christians had just been asked to leave, or were told to sit in their own section away from the real Christians. They also weren’t allowed to share the same food that the real Christians ate. Peter—the honored guest—went along with all this. Barnabas—the man who led many of the Gentiles to Jesus—went along with all this. The rest of the Jews in the church at Antioch went along with all this. But Paul would not stand for it. Because this was a public affront to the Gentile Christians and because it was a public denial of the truth of the gospel." (Galatians 2 Commentary) Martin Luther underscores the danger regarding the truth of the Gospel in what Peter was doing by commenting that "Peter did not say so, but his example said quite plainly that the observance of the Law must be added to faith in Christ (the truth of the Gospel), if men are to be saved. From Peter’s example the Gentiles could not help but draw the conclusion that the Law was necessary unto salvation." (Galatians 2 Commentary) John MacArthur on they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel - "You didn't walk with straight feet." In other words, here is the line of truth, and....You did not stay parallel to the truth. You didn't walk a straight course. You didn’t walk an unwavering, sincere course in conduct according to the truth....You did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel. You started drifting off from the line of the truth." Now the amazing thing about it is Peter knew the truth, didn't he? Sure he did. And he believed it. He simply played the part of a hypocrite in order to gain popularity with the legalistic section of the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:13)." (Galatians 2:14-21 Salvation by Faith Alone, Part 2) Were...straightforward (3716)(orthopodeo from orthós = straight, right, level + poús = foot) means literally to walk with straight feet, to be straight-footed and so to go directly forward, walking uprightly and correctly. The NAS marginal note has "progressing toward; literally walking straightly." Vine adds it means "to walk in a straight path,” and so to leave a straight track for others to follow, cp. Hebrews 12:13." It is a metaphor which speak of a course of conduct and is used only here in the Bible. Paul used this verb figuratively to describe their defective "spiritual gait" so to speak! Unfortunately when Peter led, others followed and also failed to walk according to the true Gospel of grace. It is better to go straight than to move in the best of circles. - Anonymous
Gálatas 2
Guzik comments that "Paul first reminded Peter that he himself did not live under strict obedience to the Law of Moses. “Peter, you eat bacon and ham and lobster. You don’t keep a kosher diet. Yet now, before these visitors, these certain men … from James, now you act as if you keep these laws all the time.” (Galatians 2 Commentary) You compel the Gentiles to live like Jews - In other words, by his action of withdrawing from eating with the Gentiles, Peter was in effect putting the Gentile believers under pressure to follow in his "orthopedically defective" steps (cf orthopodeo) and to live like Jews if they wanted to remain in the same church with the Jewish Christians! As a highly reputed spiritual leader (Gal 2:9+) this "misstep" would have significant repercussions on the Gentile Christians and the Jewish Christian for that matter! They would now feel like they must live like the Jews lived in order to be sure of their justification. Such a works oriented, legalistic mindset was (is) the absolute antithesis of the truth of the Gospel which frees men, Jews and Gentiles, from the yoke of slavery and the need to seek to live like Jews in order to merit justification! Compel (315)(anagkazo from anagke - refers to external pressure and coercion as opposed to willingness) refers to an inner or an outward compulsion for someone to act in a certain manner. Anagkazo was used earlier by Paul declaring that "not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised." (Gal 2:3+) Paul did not cave in to the pressure at Jerusalem in front of the "pillars" (including Peter), which is amazing, if this confrontation of Peter occurred after the events described in Galatians 2:3+. That would make it even more tragic that Peter was not able to resist the pressure to withdraw from eating with the Gentiles! Paul used anagkazo one more time in Galatians 6:12+ describing the Judaizers as "Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh (AND) try to compel you (Galatian Gentile believers) to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ." The irony in Paul's use of anagkazo 3x in Galatians is that compulsion is exactly what he had practiced prior to his conversion, Luke recording "And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force (anagkazo) them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities." (Acts 26:11+) Live like the Jews (2450)(ioudaizo from ioudaios = Jew) means to live like a Jew, especially according to their customs, traditions, rituals, manners and laws (especially their law demanding circumcision). The only other use is in Esther 8:17 which reads "many among the peoples of the land became Jews." See dictionary discussion of Judaizer. BDAG on ioudaizo = To live as one bound by Mosaic ordinances or traditions, live in Judean or Jewish fashion. Hansen adds that ", the verb that the NIV translates as to follow Jewish customs would be more accurately translated as "to become Jews." For the Gentiles would have to do more than follow a few Jewish customs; they would have to become Jews in order to have table fellowship with Jewish Christians who were following Jewish law. To put it simply, Peter's separation had violated his own conviction that the racial division between Jews and Gentiles should not exist in the church. As a consequence of his separation, Gentiles were not admitted to table fellowship with Jews in the church. And the only way for them to gain admission was to become Jews. If we feel that Paul was unnecessarily harsh or rude for rebuking Peter in public, we need to recall that the freedom of all Gentile Christians and the whole future of the Gentile mission was at stake. What if Peter's separation had set a precedent for the future so that all Gentile Christians really were required to become Jews? From a human perspective, such a precedent would have spelled the end of the Gentile church. It is not conceivable that Gentile churches could have been planted or would have grown if this requirement would have been enforced. And furthermore, if the division along racial lines had been allowed, the church would never have been able to exhibit a new humanity unified by faith in Christ, which transcends the racial and social divisions in the world. The truth of the gospel would be negated by such division." (Ibid)
Gálatas 2
Guzik - The focus of this verse isn’t the flesh, it is faith. “Faith is not simply a topic about which Paul preached from time to time. Nor is it a virtue which he practised occasionally. It is central in all that he does.” (Morris) Luther - Faith connects you so intimately with Christ, that He and you become as it were one person. As such you may boldly say: ‘I am now one with Christ. Therefore Christ’s righteousness, victory, and life are mine.’ On the other hand, Christ may say: ‘I am that big sinner. His sins and death are mine, because he is joined to me, and I to him.’ Faith (4102) (pistis) is synonymous with trust or belief and is the conviction of the truth of anything, but in Scripture usually speaks of belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it. In the present context our new life is lived by faith in the Son of God, that is, by counting upon the One Who lives within. We place our trust in God and His Son's trustworthiness or faithfulness to fulfill what He has promised. Biblical faith is not a passive reception of God’s mercy but rather an active entrusting of oneself to the bountiful mercy of a gracious God. Faith involves a personal decision and a commitment. Jesus provided one of the best illustrations of this trust when He declared that “Whosoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” (Mark 10:15). A child trusts themselves to their parents, putting themselves without worry or concern, into their parent's care. This is what our Father desires in His children. We now live a life of faith - saved by faith, live by faith, walk by faith. In short, is what it means to walk by the Spirit. Macgregor - When men come to die with Christ on the cross, He comes to live in them by His Spirit! Dying with Jesus, by death reckoned mine, Living with Jesus, a new life divine, Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine, Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine. —Whittle Phil Newton adds that "The word “now” (3568) gives emphasis to the reality of the believer’s present condition. He is not dealing in strange mysteries for a few select saints. He is talking about the spiritual condition of all believers. As we come to understand more of the work of Christ on our behalf, more of what took place in justification, we will find ourselves living in greater dependence upon Jesus Christ in daily life (Ed: And I would say more specifically in greater dependence of the Spirit's filling and empowering). How are you living “now”? We are not in any respect bordering upon “New Age” thinking of god-consciousness or being a god. Paul says, ‘No, I’m still living in this body. I am flesh and blood. But I am not living in this body the same way I used to live’. That is because of the reality that the old Paul was crucified with Christ. The old Paul with his animosity and hatred, with his pride and covetous spirit, met the judgment of God at the cross. There is a new resident in his life: Jesus Christ. “Christ lives in me!” I remember reading someone’s definition of a Christian a number of years ago, as ‘a Christian is a person in whom Jesus Christ lives’. That is the essence of Paul’s explanation of a Christian in 2 Corinthians 13:5+, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?” I often ask those professing faith in Christ, ‘Do you know that Jesus Christ lives in you?’ How do you know this? In short, the reality of His life will keep showing up in your thoughts, your desires, your longings, your obedience, your tongue (Ed: Don't misunderstand -- this does not mean we won't still have a struggle with sin because we will! Before Christ we chased after sin, but now sin chases after us, so to speak!). Everything that Jesus Christ touches is affected in some way. Yes, we do grow in this--that is our sanctification--but the reality that He is in me, affecting all of my life, is the reality of a child of God. ( The Sweet Fruit of Justification) John
Gálatas 2
Guzik observes on loved…gave Himself - The past tense is important. William Newell, in his commentary on Romans, speaks to the importance of the past tense in the word loved. “It is this past tense Gospel the devil hates … Let a preacher be continually saying, ‘God loves you, Christ loves you,’ and he and his congregation will by and by be losing sight of both their sinner-hood and of the substitutionary atonement of the Cross, where the love of God and of Christ was once for all and supremely set forth.”