Paul’s Letter to the Galatians – Lesson 4 – Practice What We Preach

Key Scripture: Yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. ~ Galatians 2:16

Galatians 2:11-21

11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do?

 15 “We, being Jews by nature and not Gentile sinners, 16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law. 17 But if while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker. 19 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. 21 I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”

Study Questions:

  1. Why did Peter quit eating with the Gentiles in verse 12? Why did Paul “resist” Peter to his face because of that action? Galatians 2:11-12
  2. Why were these actions of Peter not according to “the truth of the Good News” (Gospel) as it says in verse 14? Compare with Galatians 2:4-5.
  3. The Jews are referred to as hypocrites in verses 13-14. What are some modern-day examples of Christians playing the “hypocrite”?
  4. What does Paul mean by “justified” when he uses the word in verse 16? Romans 3:23-24
  5. In verse 17 Paul suggests that by his (Paul’s) behavior, Jesus is a servant of sin. What is he suggesting with that statement? James 1:13-14
  6. What does the statement, “For I through the law died to the law” (v. 19) suggest to you? Romans 3:20; 6:23
  7. In verse 20 Paul uses the term, “crucified with Christ.” Why does he say that he has been crucified with Christ? Romans 6:3-4
  8. What is the result of our burial with Christ? Romans 6:6; Colossians 2:11-14
  9. Explain what Paul means by, “then Christ died for nothing” in verse 21. Romans 11:6

Memory Verse: I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. ~ Galatians 2:20