Galatians 2:15-16 – No Works Can Justify
In v16, Paul makes three different statements about justification. Firstly, there’s a general statement. We know that a person – any person – is not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. But then he makes it personal. ‘So we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law.’ And this is a step we all must take as well. We must move from the general to the personal. The second statement reminds us that justification doesn’t just happen. It’s not an automatic process. In order for any of us to be justified, we must BELIEVE in Jesus. Not just believe that Jesus exists – even the demons believe that – but put all our trust for salvation in him. And then there’s a universal statement about justification. ‘Because by works of the law no-one will be justified’. There are always some people who think they’re the exception. That the normal rules don’t apply to them. And there are some who think that way when it comes to getting right with God. They think: ‘Yes maybe others will be accepted by God through trusting in Jesus, but I’m just going to live a respectable life and hope that’s enough’. But this final statement about justification makes it clear that there will be no exceptions. By the works of the law, no flesh, no human being, will be justified.
Paul’s argument is: If God has accepted them, how dare we impose a condition upon them which he does not impose? If God has accepted them, how can we reject them? If He receives them to his fellowship, shall we deny them ours?
It’s clear that Peter listened to the rebuke. When the Apostles and elders get together shortly afterwards at the Council in Jerusalem in Acts 15, Peter stands up and tells the circumcision party that requiring the Gentiles to keep Jewish customs was a yoke they couldn’t bear. So from this story of Peter we can take warning – but we can also take hope. We will all sin, and fail and hurt other Christians and let our Saviour down. But that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Yes Peter fell, but he got up again, and by God’s grace so can we.
Questions
- What is Paul’s argument?
- Why can we take hope from Peter?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for God’s grace in dealing with our sin.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.