To understand what the Apostle Paul means by these terms, we
must comprehend the context of the book of Galatians.
Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according
to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou,
being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews,
why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
FREE TRANSLATION:
Galatians 2:14 “…If you a Jew are made alive (justified) as are the
Gentile (Christians), and not as are the Jews, why do you urge (by your
actions) the Gentiles to be made alive (justified) in the Jewish manner”.
The subject of Galatians begins with chapter 2, verse 11 and
continues through Galatians 6:10. The focus of the book is
“Justification by means of faith versus Justification by the
works of the law”. We observe that Paul introduces this theme
early in his discussion – only two verses after Galatians 2:14. In
reality, he introduced the theme in verse 14, when one gets the
translation correct; however, the idea does not clearly surface
in the KJV until verse 16. Moreover, Paul discusses this topic in
most of his other writings: Observe, especially, Hebrews 10:4.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the
works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Hebrews 10:4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins.
In other words, in Galatians 2:14, Paul said to Peter, “You are a
Jew and you are made alive (justified) according to the manner
of a <converted> Gentile”. In other words, Peter knew that he
did not have to go down to the temple and offer sacrifices, for
his justification, as a means to obtaining eternal life. From the
beginning, the gospel to the Gentiles was that justification came
by faith for sins that are past. The Jews who came down from
James caused Peter to act in fear – he was afraid he would
offend them; therefore, he acted according to what he knew
they would expect of him rather than acting in harmony with the
Gospel of Christ.
Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with
the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated
himself, fearing them, which were of the circumcision (the Jews).
Observe what Paul said about these Jews; they did not walk
(live their lives) according to the truth of the gospel. In other
words, they were continuing to live their lives according to the
justification system of the Old Covenant – sacrifices of animals
at the temple. They were trying to mix grace for justification,
with the works of the law; they practiced a combination of
Judaism, the Law of Moses, and Christianity. We learn more
about this sect in the book of Acts.
Galatians 2:14 But when I saw (perceived) that they walked not
uprightly according to the truth of the gospel...
Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which
believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to
command [them] to keep the law of Moses.
Just a little later in the book of Galatians, Paul specifies the law
that concerned him; it was a law added because of
transgressions until Christ should come. This can be none other
than the sacrificial justification system of the Old Covenant
that Christ replaced by the faith justification system of the New
Covenant! The phrase “it was added because of
transgressions” indicates that another law existed to which they
had been unfaithful. We know that law, as the Ten
Commandments; it defines sin.
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because
of transgressions, until the seed (Christ) should come to whom the
promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a
mediator.
1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law.
Paul took advantage of Peter’s wrong approach as an
opportunity to preach a sermon about his favorite subject: The
transition from “Justification by the Law” to “Justification by
the Faith of Christ”. We should not overlook that justification
has to do with past sins – it never has to do with whether we
should live our lives according to the Law of God. In other
words, Paul spoke concerning the sacrificial Law of Moses (Sin
Offerings and Trespass Offerings) rather than the Law of God
(The Ten Commandments).
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Paul understood that the “Works of the Law” – the laborious
sacrifices (the justification system) of the Old Covenant – could
never result in cleansing one from sin. Justification (setting one
right) could come only by means of the sacrifice of Christ – and
that by faith.
By separating himself from the Gentiles, with these particular
Jews, Peter was saying – by his actions – that the Jews, who
continued in the temple worship, were superior to the Gentiles
who did not conduct their lives according to the temple worship
of the Jews. Paul perceived Peter’s dishonesty and set the
record straight, for those present as well as for the rest of God’
s people from that time forward.
The one thing we do not want to misunderstand is that Paul
preached here about only one perspective of righteousness.
There are two modes of righteousness; and each mode has its
place in God’s plan for man.
1) Righteousness (without the law) - Justification: When one
sins, no law can undo what he has done. He has accomplished
the damage; it is past, done, behind him. Only faith in the
sacrifice of Christ can rectify the past damage – in other words,
this righteousness comes by justification. This type of
righteousness is the main subject of the book of Galatians.
2) Righteousness by the Law: Paul mentions this type of
righteousness in most of his writings, including Galatians.
However, many confound Paul’s teachings into one type of
righteousness. This leads to utter confusion and makes his
writings a farce. The very reason that God gives us His holy
spirit is for living a righteous life. However, it is most important
that we understand that one does not build righteous character
by means of justification; this indicates to us the reason for
another means of righteousness – righteousness by living
according to the law of God. This means of righteousness is
impossible without the holy spirit. However, with the spirit of
God, man has the ability to refrain from sin (verify the word
<cannot> in 1John 3:9 in the Greek). The Greek has two words
rather than one, as the KJV translation indicates. Cannot sin =
Can (has the ability to) Not (refrain from) sin.
1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God (has His spirit) doth not commit
sin (as the new man); for his (God’s) seed (spirit) remaineth in him (the
man): and he (the man) cannot (has the ability to refrain from) sin,
because he (the man) is born of God (has God’s spirit).
The above verse is a mystery that the world cannot understand;
the English translations of this verse testify to this fact.
Nevertheless, it is impossible for man to live a righteous life,
without the spirit of God. On the other hand, God does not live
our life for us, the spirit of God leads us and guides us into living
our life in the right direction – according to the Covenant of
God – the Ten Commandments.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his]
purpose.
1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:
and his commandments are not grievous.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he
shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Moreover, if this were not true, what is the purpose of man? If
God does everything for us, why did He make us physical
beings? Why does God give us His spirit now rather than
waiting until the resurrection? In other words, is salvation a
spectator sport? Do we just sit on the sidelines and watch God
play the game of life while we live according to the way of
Satan? Impossible! Paul addresses this issue in this same
sermon to the Galatians:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
To resume, Paul, speaking from the perspective of
Righteousness by Justification said to Peter, “By your actions
of separating from the Gentiles you teach that the Gentiles
should copy the Jews by looking to the temple sacrifices for
their justification”. In other words, Peter gave the impression,
by his actions, that the Jews, who did not understand the
sacrifice of Christ: The only means of justification – were
superior to the Gentiles. Paul would have none of it, for he
devoted his entire life to preaching the transition from
justification by the sacrifices of animals to justification by the
sacrifice of Christ.
1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Paul’s message was mainly to correct the perception of the
Jews of his day who had to cross the divide between the two
systems of justification. The Greeks found such teaching
foolish; some Gentiles accepted Paul’s message, but a few of
the Jews tried to confuse the issue, by clinging to the Old
Covenant method of justification.
1Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Unfortunately, Satan has used Paul’s writings to create a
message of confusion concerning eternal life rather than how
God corrects for a wrong past. This has resulted in a gospel of
antinomianism – living how one wants to and expecting God to
make up the difference: The doctrine of eternal security.
Paul’s core message was not about how to live, but how to
rectify past sin. How to live – righteousness by the law – did
not change from the Old to the New Covenant. God did not
find fault with His law; the fault was with the people. In other
words, one did not automatically receive the spirit of God as
part of the Old Covenant. However, in the Old Covenant, the
Israelites accomplished justification – typically – with animal
sacrifices – the Law of Moses. One can see how difficult the
transition – from laboring with sacrifices at the temple to simply
praying and asking God to forgive one in the name of Yahshua
the Messiah – could be in the minds of the Jews of Paul’s time.
Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days
come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah:
Therefore, Paul said that Peter “lived his life” – as far as
justification was concerned – like the Gentiles. The Jews that
had come down from James were still “living their lives” – as
far as justification was concerned – as they always had: like the
Jews. In essence, Paul queried Peter: Do you want the Gentiles
to become like the Jews and make their daily lives one of trying
to justify themselves according to the sacrifices of the temple?
We know that God allowed the destruction of the temple in
70AD. By this time, 40 years (a period of testing) after the
death of Christ, the temple had become such an obstacle to the
Jews that no rationalization continued for its existence. The
destruction of the temple showed once for all time that faith in
the sacrifice of Christ is the only means for humanity to receive
justification from his past sins.
As for Paul’s writings, one needs a good foundation of
understanding the bible before he begins studying them.
Observe what Peter said concerning Paul’s epistles:
2Peter 3:15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is]
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the
wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.
James wrote to correct some who had come to the wrong
conclusion concerning whether salvation is only a matter of
faith. He stated three times that faith without works is dead.
Undoubtedly some preached in his day that salvation did not
require that one live righteously, in order to be a Christian.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is
dead?
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without
works is dead also.
Faith, however, is two-pronged. 1) Faith in the sacrifice of
Christ for justification of our past sins – the subject of most of
Paul’s writings, and 2) Faith that God has kept His promise
concerning His spirit so that we have the ability to live
according to the Ten Commandments.
Hebrews 8:10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house
of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their
mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and
they shall be to me a people:
With God’s spirit, we have a mind and heart to keep His
Covenant – the Ten Commandments.
The Conclusion: In Galatians 2:14, Paul spoke concerning being
made alive, by one of the two methods of justification: 1) As the
converted Gentiles had received concerning the gospel of
Christ – by faith; or 2) As the Jews had understood under the
Old Covenant – by works. Today, we have no reason to
confuse the issue because God allowed the destruction of the
temple – erasing any vestige of doubt in the mind of the believer.
Home
Questions
must comprehend the context of the book of Galatians.
Galatians 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according
to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou,
being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews,
why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
FREE TRANSLATION:
Galatians 2:14 “…If you a Jew are made alive (justified) as are the
Gentile (Christians), and not as are the Jews, why do you urge (by your
actions) the Gentiles to be made alive (justified) in the Jewish manner”.
The subject of Galatians begins with chapter 2, verse 11 and
continues through Galatians 6:10. The focus of the book is
“Justification by means of faith versus Justification by the
works of the law”. We observe that Paul introduces this theme
early in his discussion – only two verses after Galatians 2:14. In
reality, he introduced the theme in verse 14, when one gets the
translation correct; however, the idea does not clearly surface
in the KJV until verse 16. Moreover, Paul discusses this topic in
most of his other writings: Observe, especially, Hebrews 10:4.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the
works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Hebrews 10:4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins.
In other words, in Galatians 2:14, Paul said to Peter, “You are a
Jew and you are made alive (justified) according to the manner
of a <converted> Gentile”. In other words, Peter knew that he
did not have to go down to the temple and offer sacrifices, for
his justification, as a means to obtaining eternal life. From the
beginning, the gospel to the Gentiles was that justification came
by faith for sins that are past. The Jews who came down from
James caused Peter to act in fear – he was afraid he would
offend them; therefore, he acted according to what he knew
they would expect of him rather than acting in harmony with the
Gospel of Christ.
Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with
the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated
himself, fearing them, which were of the circumcision (the Jews).
Observe what Paul said about these Jews; they did not walk
(live their lives) according to the truth of the gospel. In other
words, they were continuing to live their lives according to the
justification system of the Old Covenant – sacrifices of animals
at the temple. They were trying to mix grace for justification,
with the works of the law; they practiced a combination of
Judaism, the Law of Moses, and Christianity. We learn more
about this sect in the book of Acts.
Galatians 2:14 But when I saw (perceived) that they walked not
uprightly according to the truth of the gospel...
Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which
believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to
command [them] to keep the law of Moses.
Just a little later in the book of Galatians, Paul specifies the law
that concerned him; it was a law added because of
transgressions until Christ should come. This can be none other
than the sacrificial justification system of the Old Covenant
that Christ replaced by the faith justification system of the New
Covenant! The phrase “it was added because of
transgressions” indicates that another law existed to which they
had been unfaithful. We know that law, as the Ten
Commandments; it defines sin.
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then [serveth] the law? It was added because
of transgressions, until the seed (Christ) should come to whom the
promise was made; [and it was] ordained by angels in the hand of a
mediator.
1John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin
is the transgression of the law.
Paul took advantage of Peter’s wrong approach as an
opportunity to preach a sermon about his favorite subject: The
transition from “Justification by the Law” to “Justification by
the Faith of Christ”. We should not overlook that justification
has to do with past sins – it never has to do with whether we
should live our lives according to the Law of God. In other
words, Paul spoke concerning the sacrificial Law of Moses (Sin
Offerings and Trespass Offerings) rather than the Law of God
(The Ten Commandments).
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Paul understood that the “Works of the Law” – the laborious
sacrifices (the justification system) of the Old Covenant – could
never result in cleansing one from sin. Justification (setting one
right) could come only by means of the sacrifice of Christ – and
that by faith.
By separating himself from the Gentiles, with these particular
Jews, Peter was saying – by his actions – that the Jews, who
continued in the temple worship, were superior to the Gentiles
who did not conduct their lives according to the temple worship
of the Jews. Paul perceived Peter’s dishonesty and set the
record straight, for those present as well as for the rest of God’
s people from that time forward.
The one thing we do not want to misunderstand is that Paul
preached here about only one perspective of righteousness.
There are two modes of righteousness; and each mode has its
place in God’s plan for man.
1) Righteousness (without the law) - Justification: When one
sins, no law can undo what he has done. He has accomplished
the damage; it is past, done, behind him. Only faith in the
sacrifice of Christ can rectify the past damage – in other words,
this righteousness comes by justification. This type of
righteousness is the main subject of the book of Galatians.
2) Righteousness by the Law: Paul mentions this type of
righteousness in most of his writings, including Galatians.
However, many confound Paul’s teachings into one type of
righteousness. This leads to utter confusion and makes his
writings a farce. The very reason that God gives us His holy
spirit is for living a righteous life. However, it is most important
that we understand that one does not build righteous character
by means of justification; this indicates to us the reason for
another means of righteousness – righteousness by living
according to the law of God. This means of righteousness is
impossible without the holy spirit. However, with the spirit of
God, man has the ability to refrain from sin (verify the word
<cannot> in 1John 3:9 in the Greek). The Greek has two words
rather than one, as the KJV translation indicates. Cannot sin =
Can (has the ability to) Not (refrain from) sin.
1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God (has His spirit) doth not commit
sin (as the new man); for his (God’s) seed (spirit) remaineth in him (the
man): and he (the man) cannot (has the ability to refrain from) sin,
because he (the man) is born of God (has God’s spirit).
The above verse is a mystery that the world cannot understand;
the English translations of this verse testify to this fact.
Nevertheless, it is impossible for man to live a righteous life,
without the spirit of God. On the other hand, God does not live
our life for us, the spirit of God leads us and guides us into living
our life in the right direction – according to the Covenant of
God – the Ten Commandments.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to
them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his]
purpose.
1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:
and his commandments are not grievous.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide
you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he
shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Moreover, if this were not true, what is the purpose of man? If
God does everything for us, why did He make us physical
beings? Why does God give us His spirit now rather than
waiting until the resurrection? In other words, is salvation a
spectator sport? Do we just sit on the sidelines and watch God
play the game of life while we live according to the way of
Satan? Impossible! Paul addresses this issue in this same
sermon to the Galatians:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
To resume, Paul, speaking from the perspective of
Righteousness by Justification said to Peter, “By your actions
of separating from the Gentiles you teach that the Gentiles
should copy the Jews by looking to the temple sacrifices for
their justification”. In other words, Peter gave the impression,
by his actions, that the Jews, who did not understand the
sacrifice of Christ: The only means of justification – were
superior to the Gentiles. Paul would have none of it, for he
devoted his entire life to preaching the transition from
justification by the sacrifices of animals to justification by the
sacrifice of Christ.
1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Paul’s message was mainly to correct the perception of the
Jews of his day who had to cross the divide between the two
systems of justification. The Greeks found such teaching
foolish; some Gentiles accepted Paul’s message, but a few of
the Jews tried to confuse the issue, by clinging to the Old
Covenant method of justification.
1Corinthians 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Unfortunately, Satan has used Paul’s writings to create a
message of confusion concerning eternal life rather than how
God corrects for a wrong past. This has resulted in a gospel of
antinomianism – living how one wants to and expecting God to
make up the difference: The doctrine of eternal security.
Paul’s core message was not about how to live, but how to
rectify past sin. How to live – righteousness by the law – did
not change from the Old to the New Covenant. God did not
find fault with His law; the fault was with the people. In other
words, one did not automatically receive the spirit of God as
part of the Old Covenant. However, in the Old Covenant, the
Israelites accomplished justification – typically – with animal
sacrifices – the Law of Moses. One can see how difficult the
transition – from laboring with sacrifices at the temple to simply
praying and asking God to forgive one in the name of Yahshua
the Messiah – could be in the minds of the Jews of Paul’s time.
Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days
come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah:
Therefore, Paul said that Peter “lived his life” – as far as
justification was concerned – like the Gentiles. The Jews that
had come down from James were still “living their lives” – as
far as justification was concerned – as they always had: like the
Jews. In essence, Paul queried Peter: Do you want the Gentiles
to become like the Jews and make their daily lives one of trying
to justify themselves according to the sacrifices of the temple?
We know that God allowed the destruction of the temple in
70AD. By this time, 40 years (a period of testing) after the
death of Christ, the temple had become such an obstacle to the
Jews that no rationalization continued for its existence. The
destruction of the temple showed once for all time that faith in
the sacrifice of Christ is the only means for humanity to receive
justification from his past sins.
As for Paul’s writings, one needs a good foundation of
understanding the bible before he begins studying them.
Observe what Peter said concerning Paul’s epistles:
2Peter 3:15 And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is]
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the
wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in
which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.
James wrote to correct some who had come to the wrong
conclusion concerning whether salvation is only a matter of
faith. He stated three times that faith without works is dead.
Undoubtedly some preached in his day that salvation did not
require that one live righteously, in order to be a Christian.
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is
dead?
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without
works is dead also.
Faith, however, is two-pronged. 1) Faith in the sacrifice of
Christ for justification of our past sins – the subject of most of
Paul’s writings, and 2) Faith that God has kept His promise
concerning His spirit so that we have the ability to live
according to the Ten Commandments.
Hebrews 8:10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house
of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their
mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and
they shall be to me a people:
With God’s spirit, we have a mind and heart to keep His
Covenant – the Ten Commandments.
The Conclusion: In Galatians 2:14, Paul spoke concerning being
made alive, by one of the two methods of justification: 1) As the
converted Gentiles had received concerning the gospel of
Christ – by faith; or 2) As the Jews had understood under the
Old Covenant – by works. Today, we have no reason to
confuse the issue because God allowed the destruction of the
temple – erasing any vestige of doubt in the mind of the believer.
Home
Questions
| A Jew living in the manner of a Gentile versus A Gentile living in the manner of a Jew! |
 |
| |
 |