Summary

Paul publicly confronts Peter for hypocritically separating himself from Gentile believers, an action that denied the gospel truth that sinners are accepted by God through Christ alone. This passage clarifies that justification comes by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law, and that returning to law-righteousness nullifies the grace of God and the purpose of Christ’s death.

Key Points from the Sermon

• Peter’s hypocritical withdrawal from Gentile believers denied the gospel truth he already knew, requiring Paul’s public rebuke (Galatians 2:11-14)
• Justification—being declared righteous before God—comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, never by works of the law. Justification is a legal declaration: God credits Christ’s perfect righteousness to the believer and credits the believer’s sin to Christ (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 4:5). We are not made righteous by infusion or improvement, but counted righteous by imputation (Galatians 2:16)
• If righteousness could be earned through the law, then Christ died for no purpose; we are crucified with Christ and live by faith in Him (Galatians 2:20-21)
• The law functions as a mirror, exposing our sin and bringing us to the end of ourselves so we trust in Christ alone, not as a means of earning salvation
• The only thing we bring to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary; we come to Christ empty-handed by grace through faith
• Christ became a curse for us by being hanged on a tree, so that the blessing of Abraham might come to all who believe (Galatians 3:13-14)

Scripture Readings

Galatians 2:11-16 - Paul’s public confrontation of Peter demonstrates that conduct out of step with the gospel must be corrected, and establishes that justification is by faith in Christ, not works of the law.

Galatians 2:20-21 - Paul’s powerful statement of union with Christ and the dangerous implication that if righteousness comes through law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Galatians 3:10-14 - Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Discussion Questions

Read Galatians 2:11-14

1. What did Peter do that Paul opposed? Why was his behavior more than just ‘bad manners’ but actually a denial of the gospel?

2. Was Paul right or wrong to correct Peter publicly in this circumstance? What are some ways to consider our approach Biblically in our current context?

Read Galatians 2:15-16

3. Paul repeats the same truth three times in verse 16. What is he so emphatically saying about how a person is justified, and why do you think he uses such repetition?

Compare Galatians 2:21 with Romans 3:20-24

4. How do these passages together explain why adding works to faith actually destroys the gospel rather than strengthening it? God did not lower His standards. We are credited with Jesus’ righteousness

Read Galatians 2:20

5. In what subtle ways do we still try to add ‘works’ to our faith—relying on church attendance, moral performance, or religious activity to feel acceptable to God? Where do you personally feel this temptation most? What truth do we need to hear to free ourselves from that slavery?

Read Galatians 3:10-14

6. What does it mean when the Bible says “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law…”? Why is it important that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us? Why is the language being used important for our understanding?

Read Matthew 19:16-26

7. What was the rich young ruler looking for in his questions to Jesus? How did Jesus’ responses point the listeners to the true message of the gospel? What does this section of scripture reveal about our condition before God?

Application

This Week’s Challenge: This week, be on the lookout for ways we subtly try to add our own efforts to the finished work of Christ. Pray that God would give you a clear understanding of the truth of His gospel, and that His work would produce fruit in our lives.

Summary of the Gospel: Mankind is sinful by nature (Rom 3:23), and as a result we are natural enemies of God. The Bible also tells us that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23) meaning that left to our own devices, we are enemies of God deserving eternal separation and damnation. But God showed mercy. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to live a sinless life and die on the cross, taking the punishment our sin deserved upon Himself, so that through faith we may be declared righteous in God’s eyes. Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Prayer Focus: Pray for humility and a clear understanding of the gospel; the understanding that we bring nothing to the table except the sin that makes our salvation necessary. Thank God for the gift of salvation and pray that He would continue to work out our sanctification, producing fruit that brings glory to His name.

Memory Verse

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20

Resources

• Leadership and Emotional Sabotage by Joe Rigney
• Commentary on Galatians by Martin Luther