Galatians 2:15-17 (WEL) “We, who are born Jews and not Gentile sinners, 16 Know that people are not justified by the works of the law; it is only through faith in Jesus Christ, and we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, not by the works of the law because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we are also found to be sinners, does that mean that Christ is the promoter [literally servant] of sin? Absolutely not!”
V15 We, who are born Jews and not Gentile sinners,
Paul continues his rebuke of Peter to his face. Paul is not dissing the Gentiles. He is emphasizing the fact that the Jews have the laws of God and know His will. The Gentiles do not. Compare Romans 2.
V16 Know that people are not justified by the works of the law; it is only through faith in Jesus Christ, and we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ, not by the works of the law because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
What I do is sinful even if it would be considered righteous (Isaiah 64:6). All humans except the Lord Jesus are slaves to sin in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds (John 8:34 and Romans 7:14). We are corrupt and defiled in God’s judicial opinion.
Our personal faith is the condition for salvation. It is the only method approved by God. It is only in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). It is our faith (1 John 5:4, Romans 10:10, John 16:30-31, Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:8-9, and Revelation 2:19). The idea that it is God’s faith infused into us is heresy. Human faith is a communicable character trait given by God. Humans are made in the image of God. Sin has ruined this image, but God has provided a method of salvation from His wrath.
V17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we are also found to be sinners, does that mean that Christ is the promoter [literally servant] of sin? Absolutely not!
Seek to be justified refers to believers striving to live the Christian life, be blameless, be glorying to God. If with this attitude of wishing to glorify God, we sin, then, Paul asks, is it Jesus decreeing us to sin? Paul gives a strong reply—no, no, and more no.
Comments:
(Holman Commentary): “The opponents to this message of grace argued that if people aren’t under law then they will freely sin. They reasoned that people could believe in Christ but then live as they wanted and by their sinful actions make Christ a promoter of sin. Paul answers this accusation with an emphatic, “No!” Grace leads to freedom from sin’s slavery to obey God, not license to disobey him.”
(Bible Knowledge Commentary): “Paul’s opponents argued, however, that since justification by faith eliminated the Law, it encouraged sinful living. A person could believe in Christ for salvation and then do as he pleased, having no need to do good works. Paul hotly denied the charge, especially noting that this made Christ the promoter of sin. On the contrary, if a believer would return to the Law after trusting Christ alone for salvation, that Law would only demonstrate that he was a sinner, a lawbreaker. Though Paul used the first person here, he clearly had in mind Peter, who by his act of withdrawing from Gentile fellowship was returning to the Law.”
We learn:
- We are not free from all laws, but follow the Law of Christ.
- Saved by faith alone does not mean we are free from laws.
Questions:
- Do you follow any laws?
- Do you accuse others of being antinomian?