Galatians 2

Galatians 2:1

In chapter 1, we saw grace declared in Paul’s message (Gal_1:1-18), and depicted in his life (Gal_1:19-24). Here in chapter 2, we will see grace defended in his ministryboth before the church collectively and before Peter personally. Following Paul’s conversion, he spent approximately three years in the Arabian desert, where he was personally tutored by Jesus Christ. Emerging from the desert, he spent fifteen days in Jerusalem primarily with Peter. He then made his way to Syria, Cilicia, and finally back to his hometown of Tarsuswhere he remained for eleven years. During those eleven years, outside the flow of the story transpiring in the Book of Acts, Paul labored quietly making tentsuntil suddenly people started getting saved in Antioch. Jews by nationality but Grecian in culture and custom, the new believers had a hard time relating to the traditional Jewish believers who had led them to the Lord. Hearing of the outpouring of the Spirit in Antioch, leaders of the church in Jerusalem dispatched Barnabas to see what was happening. After surveying the situation, Barnabas believed the solution lay in his old friend with the keen intellectPaul. So Barnabas tracked Paul down and brought him back to Antioch, back into ministry (Act_11:19-26). Paul took Titus, a young Gentile protigie, with him to Jerusalem.

Galatians 2:2

Paul, Barnabas, and Titus told Peter, James, John, and the rest of the church in Jerusalem about their ministry among the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:3

The Jerusalem brothers responded, saying, “Titus, because you’re Greek, you need to submit to the regulation that speaks of the cutting away of the flesh, and which shows you’re serious about your commitment to God. You need to be circumcised.” In other words, “Become a Jew, Titus.”

Galatians 2:4

The religionists crept in to observe the liberty of Paul, Titus, and Barnabasnot to celebrate it, but to regulate it.

Galatians 2:5

Paul had no time for those whose aim it was to bring people into bondage. I’m so glad Paul held his ground, for had he given in to these Judaizers, how much different Christianity would be today. Had Paul given in to the religionists, we would be required to keep all of the rules, ordinances, and regulations of the Jewish religious system. Paul understood the vital concept that Jesus Christ came to do something new. You see, before Jesus came, the world was divided into only two groups: Jews and Gentiles. But the blood and water that flowed at Calvary (Joh_19:34) marked the birth of a new entity that was neither Jew nor Gentile. For just as a bride was created for the first Adam from out of his side (Gen_2:22), the church, the bride of Christ, was born when the sword pierced the side of the Last Adam. As a result, we are neither Jews nor Gentiles. We are the church.

Galatians 2:6

As a freshman at Biola University, I was about to give a Bible study before a group of professors. The night before my presentation, when I finally fell asleep, I dreamed I saw each of my professors, along with Billy Graham and a whole bunch of other Christian leaders, standing hand in hand with me around a huge tree. The interesting thing was this: Every single guy was exactly the same height. When I awoke, I knew immediately that the Lord was reminding me that He truly is no respecter of personseven of those who “seem to be somewhat” (see Act_10:34). “Peter, James, John, and the others didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know,” said Paul. This is understandable, considering Paul had been tutored personally by Jesus Christ Himself (see Gal_1:16).

Galatians 2:7

Here is Paul’s account of the Acts 15 Jerusalem Council. After listening to Paul, and seeing what the Lord was doing through him, Peter, James, and John said, “We’ll continue ministering to the Jews here in Jerusalem. You minister to the Gentiles. Just don’t forget the poor.” This is humorous to me because where were the poor to which Peter, James, and John were referring? In Jerusalem. In other words, they were saying, “Don’t forget us, Paul. Send us some money.” Four menPeter, Paul, James, and Johnwere the main players in the drama of the early church. As I look at Peter, I see he is the apostle of order. He was the one who talked about a spiritual priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices, and being a spiritual house. He’s the one who talked about Jesus as the Bishop of our soul. Peter had a distinctly Jewish flavor. Parts of the body of Christ can really relate to Peter. With their bishops and spiritual sacrifices, the liturgical churches come from Peter’s line. Paul, on the other hand, was the apostle of candor. He was an “in-your-face, this-is-the-way-it-is” renegade kind of guy. Where Peter would be the apostle of the liturgical church, Paul would be the apostle of the evangelical church. C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, C. H. Spurgeon would all relate to Paul. John was the apostle of passion. The one who leaned on the breast of Christ at the Last Supper, the one who was caught up into heaven in the Book of Revelation, John best represents those who are mystical, Pentecostal, and visionary by nature. George Fox, Thomas ’ Kempis, and Madame Guyon would relate most closely to John. Finally, there was James. “Pure and undefiled religion is this,” the apostle of action said, “visit the fatherless, take care of the widows, and keep yourself unspotted from the world (see Jas_1:27). You can talk about your faith until you’re blue in the facelet me see your works.” James would reflect the ecumenical mentality that says, “We have a responsibility to feed the poor in Rwanda. We need to get involved in Habitat for Humanity. We need to forget our differences, come together, and do something practical for a hurting world.” While I don’t agree with a lot of the theology of the ecumenical movement, I can and do commend them for much of what they do in caring for people’s practical needs. As I look at the churches in our communities, I can see “Peter” kinds of churches, “Paul” types of fellowships, “James” groups of believers, and “John”-flavored bodies. I can embrace them all because I can see the Lord’s wisdom in having different kinds of churches for different kinds of people. Paul would later write, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Php_2:12-13). Both as individuals, and as a corporate church, our salvation is to be worked out, or expressed with a little different flavor than that of other individuals or other churches. The fact remains, however, that we must not be a “Paul” chapel, a “James” body, a “Peter” fellowship, or a “John” group of believers. We must be a Jesus church. Truly, He must be pre-eminent. No matter how big a church might be numerically, how much incense it might burn sacrificially, how much work it does practically, or how many visions it might see mysticallyif it does not lift up Jesus Christ it is a false fellowship.

Galatians 2:11

Peter left Jerusalem to travel north to AntiochGentile territory. Paul didn’t go storming down to Jerusalem, saying, “Have a sausage, Peter. I dare you.” No, Peter was in Paul’s arena, and because Peter was trying to get the people to whom Paul was ministering to go in a different direction, Paul was justified in pointing out Peter’s hypocrisy. There have been occasions when, as a shepherd, I have had to physically remove those who came in, wanting to take this flock in a direction contrary to the gospel of grace. But I will not go into another church and pronounce judgment or give correction. When Paul was in Peter’s face, he was on his own turfin Antioch, not Jerusalem. This phrase indicates very simply and clearly that traditions claiming either that Peter was the first pope, or that popes are infallible in matters of doctrine and church practice, are mistaken. If Peter was the first pope, he was far from infallible here.

Galatians 2:12

The early church had agape feasts wherein believers would gather together and share a meal. Many of them being poor, everyone would pool his resources and contribute to a big potluck dinner. Jewish tradition held that there was a special connection with whomever one shared a meal. The Jews, therefore, were forbidden to eat with Gentiles. Thus, Peter broke tradition not only in eating the food of Gentiles, but in eating with Gentiles. When the men from Jerusalem came, suddenly Peter distanced himself from the Gentile believers.

Galatians 2:13

“You ate right alongside of us, Peter,” said Paul. “Therefore, if you, a Jew, are unable to keep the rules and regulations of Judaism, how can you expect Gentiles to keep them? It makes no sense!” That’s what hypocrisy always does: It tries to make other people do what we ourselves can’t.

Galatians 2:15

“Peter, why are you advocating the rebirth of religion?” asked Paul. “We Jews couldn’t even keep the rules. We know that a man is justified only by faith in Christnot by works, but simply by believing.” Are you trying to earn God’s favor through morning devotions or Wednesday night Bible study attendance, through memorizing verses or witnessing, through not going here or not doing that? It’s a big mistake. You are justified by faith and faith alonenot only when you were born again, not only when you were saved ten years agobut today, right now. God’s blessing will be upon the life of any man, woman, teenager, or older person who simply says, “I know I can’t earn Your blessing, Lord. However, if You want to bless me by Your grace through my belief in Your Son, I welcome such blessing.” Dear brother, precious sisterthe blessings of God are not based upon what you do or don’t do. It’s not a matter of saying, “Okay, God, I didn’t see that movie. Aren’t You proud of me? And because I didn’t, here’s what I’m expecting You to do for me…” No. The blessings of God are based solely upon grace. We can receive His blessing only because the sin that separated us from the Father has been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if I choose to sin, it’s not that God will withhold His blessing in order to punish me. No, the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed me from all sinpast, present, and future (1Jn_1:7, 1Jn_1:9). If I choose to sin, I destroy myself. Balak, king of the Moabites, hired Balaam the prophet to curse the people of Israel (Numbers 22). No matter how Balaam tried, however, he could only pronounce blessing upon them. “Let’s build another altar, and you can try again,” said Balak. So again Balaam opened his mouthbut only blessing came out. After a third altar, a third try, and a third failure, Balak was desperate. “I can’t help it,” explained Balaam. “I’m trying to curse them, but they’re God’s people. Seeing his fee slip through his fingers, however, Balaam came up with a new plan. “I can’t curse them,” he told Balak, “but they can curse themselves. Here’s what you do: Send your women into the Israelite camp and tell them to invite the Israelite men into their tents. Then have them pull out their little idolstheir Ashtarothsand say, “This is the way we worship in this country. Don’t you want to worship with us?” “Good plan,” Balak said. So he got his girls and sent them into the camp of Israel. They enticed the guys into their tents and, just as planned, the Moabite women pulled out their idols. Sure enough, the Israelites took the baitand ended up cursing themselves, resulting in a plague that wiped out twenty-four thousand of them (Num_25:9). The same is true today. God says, “You’re justified by the hearing of faith because you believe in the work of My Son.” As far as God is concerned, the sin that would bar me from “the spout where the blessings come out” was taken away by the blood of Jesus Christ. I cannot be cursed. But I can curse myself and so can you. Watch your step, young person. Listen up, forty-five-year-old. “Oh, it’s okay to see that film,” you say. “It’s only got a few scenes that are slightly compromising,” or “It’s okay to hear that music. There are only a few questionable words.” Watch out. You’re cursing yourself. We live in a culture where the advice of Balaam is being worked out unlike any other time in human history. Be very careful. You’ll get drawn into tents you never thought you would enter and be wiped out in the process.

Galatians 2:17

“Peter, if we eat with Gentiles, are we then sinners?” asked Paul. “Is Christ a sinner? Of course not! It’s not what goes into a man that defiles him, it’s what comes out” (see Mar_7:18-23). It’s how you live rather than what you eat that matters.

Galatians 2:18

You who are discipling men, you who are ministering to women, you who are teachers, servants, and mature saintsunderstand this verse. Do not erect another set of rules and regulations. You were saved by grace when you simply came to God as a sinner. Now, you are to remain in the realization that to come to the Lord, you must come just as you arenot because of what you do, or what you promise to be. Do not erect another set of barriers. The veil was rent when Jesus cried, “It is finished” (Mat_27:50-51). Don’t sew it up again by saying to those to whom you minister, “You have to attend six meetings a week, listen to Christian radio every afternoon, read eight chapters in the Word every night, vote Republican, and have three hours of morning devotions every day if you want to grow in Christ.” Are morning devotions wrong? Of course not! You don’t have to have morning devotionsyou get to! You get to start your day talking to God. That’s a tremendous privilegenot an obligation. Anyone who doesn’t start his day with the Lord is missing so much. Therefore, we don’t do it because we have to. We do it because we get to.

Galatians 2:19

“The law is no longer a factor in my life,” said Paul. “I tried to keep it for years, but finally it just did me in.”

Galatians 2:20

“The law served its purpose when it showed me I couldn’t keep it,” continued Paul. Now I’m dead to the external rules of the law, but alive to the internal rule of Jesus Christ in my heart.”

Galatians 2:21

If you tried to rob a bank, but were shot and killed in the attempt, no one would drag your corpse into the courtroom. Even though you broke the law, you wouldn’t go to court. So, too, when Christ died, you died with Him (Rom_7:4). Therefore, you are dead to the rules and regulations of the law. But if you choose to live again to the law, then, for you, the death of Christ was in vain. How I thank the Lord that Paul stood his ground and spoke so boldly to Peter. And how I pray that, where there is a Peter tendency within our own hearts, the Lord might use the words of Paul to speak to us. How I pray that we might not frustrate grace or try to add to the work of the Cross. How I pray that we might love the Father all the more because of the great grace He has shown us in His Son. God’s Grace: Enjoy! A Topical Study of Gal_2:21 On our way to Family Camp years ago, Benjamin and Mary were munching their way through their cache of junk food in the backseat of the van while my wife, Tammy, and I tried to talk to them about the benefits of eating nutritiously. When it was time for dinner, they wanted to stop at Taco Bell®. Tammy and I opted instead for that well-known haven of health food: Denny’s®. Once inside, we told the kids they could order whatever they wanted. Mary Elizabeth, who was in first grade, immediately ordered waffles with whipped cream and that fake strawberry stuff on top. Benjamin, a kindergartener at the time, ordered spaghetti and meatballs. When their orders arrived, Mary found herself somewhat sickened by sweetness after a few bites. Benny, on the other hand, scarfed down the spaghetti, gobbled up the meatballs, and with eyes as wide as his voice was loud, said, “Wow! These are the best meatballs I’ve ever had! Can I have more?” We ordered another plate of spaghetti. By this time, Mary was craving something other than waffles. “Benny,” she said sweetly, “may I please have just one of your meatballs?” Benny frowned. “Just one, Benny,” pleaded Mary. “What would Jesus do?” With that, Benjamin looked right at Mary and said, “Mary, Jesus would eat nutritiously.” I think we have a meal before us that is both nutritious and delicious. I love Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians because it deals with the meatiest of subjects: the grace of God. Throughout this book, Paul pleads passionately with the Galatians that they not get entangled with the works of the lawbut that they remain in the simplicity of grace. What is grace? It’s unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor. We get the riches of God and blessings from God because of what Christ did for us on Calvary. You see, the one thing that would keep us from being blessed by God is sin, for sin cuts off the flow of God’s blessing upon our lives. But because our sin was washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, all barriers have been removed. In our text, we hear Paul saying, “I do not frustrate the grace of God. If God wants to bless me for no reason, if He wants to pour out His goodness upon me and provide salvation for me, if He wants to do that by grace, because of what Christ did, I will accept it gladly!” Suppose you want to show someone your appreciation and take him out to dinner. You enjoy your time together immensely. Then the waiter comes with the bill, and your guest grabs it. “Give me that,” you say. “No,” he says. “I’m going to pay.” “No,” you insist. “I invited you. I want to do this for you. It’s my way of showing appreciation to you.” “No,” he says. “I’m paying the bill.” You get into a fight right there. He ends up with the bill and writes a check to pay for it. But when the waiter runs his check through Insta-Check®, the screen flashes “Insufficient Funds.” Five minutes later, the cops arrive, slap handcuffs on your friend, and carry him off to prison, where he is later executed for “Insufficient Funds.” You would be frustrated, indeednot only because your friend was too proud to let you pay the bill, but because he was incapable of paying it in the first place. That’s the message of Galatians 2. God wants to bless you by paying the bill. If you say, “No, I’ll pay for it myself,” sooner or later, you’ll discover that your funds are completely insufficient. By refusing to accept the grace of God, not only will you be poorer presently, but you’ll suffer eternally. The secret I have discovered in the Christian life is the same one Paul will propagate throughout the Book of Galatians. That is, we are to let God bless us without giving Him a reason to do so. “Well, I’ve really prayed a lot this week, Lord, so I deserve to be blessed,” we say. Or, “I went to church not once but twice this week, Lord, so now I’m expecting You to come through for me.” Listen, if you relate to the Lord in that waythrough works, law, rules, and barteringHe will let you. If you say, “Lord, I want what I’ve earned. Give me what I deserve,” He’ll give you what you deserve and reward you according to what you’ve earnedwhich won’t be much. But if you realize God wants to bless you solely according to His mercy, He will pour out His unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor upon you. Don’t frustrate the grace of God. Don’t grab the bill. You don’t have the funds to cover it anyway. Instead, allow God to bless you, and respond with worship and thanksgiving, affection and appreciation.” In 2 Samuel 9, we find a story that beautifully illustrates this principle… How David Sought Mephibosheth And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.2Sa_9:1-5 Due to his love for Jonathan, David sent for Jonathan’s servant, Ziba, and asked how he might show kindness to Jonathan’s family. This was a radical gesture, considering that in David’s day, when a king came into power, he would annihilate everyone in the previous ruling family lest the descendants make a move to reclaim the throne. Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, or “Living Shame,” was hiding in a place called Lodebar, or “Nothingness.” Think about that. How would you like to be “Living Shame” dwelling in a place called “Nothingness”? As if that weren’t bad enough, Mephibosheth was lame. Why? Chapter 4 tells us that when David was coming into power, Mephibosheth’s nanny picked him up and ran in an attempt to hide him from David. While running, she stumbled and fell, dropping Mephibosheth, who became lame because of the fall. Do you see the analogy? Mephibosheth is a picture of you and me. We are “Living Shame.” We fell in Adam and have been lame ever since. Afraid of the King, we fled from Him as best we could and made our home in “Nothingness.” But what did our King do? He said, “I want to bless those who are living in nothingness and shame, who can’t walk or stand because of the fall.” And He sent not a servant, but the Holy Spirit Himself to seek us. What David Showed Mephibosheth Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.2Sa_9:6-7 Was kindness shown to Mephibosheth because of his togetherness? No. He was “Living Shame.” Was it because of his steadfast walk? No. He was lame. Was it because he was in a place of significance? No. He was in Lodebar. David said, “I’m going to bless you, Mephibosheth, because of my love for Jonathan. I know you’re ‘Living Shame.’ I know you’re living in ‘Nothingness.’ I know you had a great fall. I know you’re lame. I know you’ve been running from me. I know you’re afraid of me. But I want to show you kindnessunmerited, undeserved, unearned favor nonetheless.” David showed kindness to Mephibosheth for his father’s sake. The Lord shows kindness to us for the sake of His Son. Where David Seated Mephibosheth Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha.

And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth. So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.2Sa_9:9-13 I love that last phrase, for it means Mephibosheth didn’t walk proudly to the tablehe hobbled there. You may think, Now that I’m saved, in order to eat at the King’s table, in order to be blessed by the Lord, I’ve got to get my walk together. I’ve got to stand strong. Not true! Like Mephibosheth, all you have to do is hobble! It was after Peter denied Jesus that Jesus said to him, “Come and dine” (see Joh_21:12). He says the same thing to us who are hobbling today. “Come and dine,” He says. “I’m blessing you not because of what you’ve done or who you are. I’m blessing you because I love My Son, and I want to perfect you as a bride for Him.” Why Mephibosheth Stayed with David And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.2Sa_19:24 As the story of David unfolds, we see Mephibosheth remaining loyal to David even when others turned away from him. Absalom, one of David’s own sons, launched a rebellion against his father, took control of the city of Jerusalem, and drove David out of the city. But Mephibosheth remained loyal to David. Scripture tells us he didn’t wash his clothes, he didn’t take care of his feet, he didn’t trim his beard. So impressed was he with David’s kindness, so amazed was he by David’s love that, although it placed his life in jeopardy, he refused to acknowledge any other king. The same is true of us today. We’re here because we’re so impressed with the goodness of God. Like Mephibosheth, through great times or difficult days, through prosperity or lean seasons, we choose to stay by the One who’s been so good to us. Perhaps you’re thinking, Mephibosheth may have hobbled to the king’s tablebut at least he got to eat of the king’s fare. Quite frankly, I don’t see anything on my plate at all. Following are three steps to consider if you find yourself in that spot… Repent Are you trying to earn God’s favor by your devotion or commitment? Repent. Say, “Father. I’ve been so foolish. Saved by grace, I’ve now gone back under the law, with its rules and regulations. I’m through trying to make a deal with You. Instead, I realize every good gift comes from You by grace. So give to me whatever You know is best.” Request “I’m not trying to earn God’s favor,” you say, “but still, there are no meatballs on my plate.” Well, have you requested? Benjamin got two plates of spaghetti and meatballs because he asked. Have you asked? So many times, we have not simply because we ask not (Jas_4:2). The Lord doesn’t say, “Work, work, work.” He says, “Ask. Talk to me. I’m your Abba, your Father. I want to develop communion with you and cultivate a relationship with you. Just talk to Me.” Relax “I still have a problem,” you say. “I have repented and I have asked. But my plate is still empty.” Relax. After you repent and request, relax in what the Lord decides to do sovereignly. You see, it just may be you need to go on a diet. Maybe you’re asking for root beer floats, cherry pie ’ la mode, and chocolate chip cookieswhen your loving Father knows you need something entirely different. “As you come to My table and ask for hot fudge sundaes and chocolate-covered brownies, I know where you’re at,” He says. “You think they will be so deliciousand they may be for a short seasonuntil you’re sitting in the dentist’s chair with the drill humming. I see your situation,” says a loving Father. “I know you think you know what’s best. But trust Me. I’m a Father who will give you only what’s absolutely best for you. That may mean not having as much as you’re asking for financially, or the success you’re craving vocationally. You think these are good things, but I know what’s ahead. They would wipe out your faith. They would distract you from the kingdom. They would make you poor in heaven. You’ve asked of Me. Now I’m asking you to trust that what I give you will be the best for you.” Today, we come to the King’s table once more. We respond to His blessing with worship, affection, praise, and adoration. We repent from a works mentality. We make our requests. And we relax in whatever our Father sends our way. Do not frustrate the grace of God, precious people. Don’t grab the billyour funds are insufficient. Just let God bless you for no other reason than because He loves His Son and wants to bless you for His sake.