In…
Galatians 2:15-17
We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 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. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid!
…is Paul addressing Peter alone here? Who is Paul speaking to? If Paul is speaking to Peter only, Paul is identifying himself with Peter in relation to salvation, right? I just don't see the separation in programs here.
When dealing with Galatians chapter 2, (or any other passage of scripture) you must remember what the purpose of the book is:
The entire purpose for this book is to explain to everyone the difference between Law and Grace!
So because Paul is the Apostle of God's grace message, the book is written from that perspective. The emphasis is on grace and not works. If you want the Jewish perspective/point of view—works-based program, you go to Acts 15, and other books written to/about the Jews.
You must interpret a passage in light of all the revelation. So although this passage may seem a little more difficult in your thinking (right now...the Lord will make it clearer as you grow), you must interpret it in light of all that Paul teaches in his 13 epistles, and not just let it stand on its own. (That is what cults and Christian denominations do, they build doctrinal positions based on a few obscure verses, while leaving out the majority of what the scriptures teach).
So when Paul says we who are Jews by nature, he is talking directly to Peter about the racial distinction of the physical seed of Abraham from the rest of the world. How do we know that? Because he also says not sinners of the gentiles.
He is not identifying himself with Peter in relationship to salvation with this statement! He is dealing with racial differences with this statement! All he is doing is making a distinction between the two classifications of people in the earth in his time (remember this is, arguably, his first and earliest epistle—written very early during the transition). Here, he is simply using common language and terminology used by all Jews in reference to themselves and to the gentiles.
So Paul is not identifying himself with Peter in relation to salvation, but he is identifying himself with Peter as it pertains to race/heritage/cultural differences between natural-born Jews (which they were), and natural-born gentiles (which they were not). The issue is racial distinction when he says Jews by nature, and not sinners of the gentiles.
Paul goes on to tell Peter something that he made clear to Peter and the other kingdom saints many years earlier way back at the Jerusalem council of Acts 15—that is, that works/performance of the Law was never the main issue with God (notice carefully that I said the "main" issue, because works/performance was an issue under the Law with Israel; however it was not the main issue at that time).
The main issue with God, even under the Law, is faith! To believe God's word from the heart was the issue, not just going thru the religious rites and rituals as most of the Jews were doing. Paul explained all this to Peter and the other kingdom saints, yet they purposely refused to acknowledge that truth in front of the gentiles. And for that, Paul rebuked them all publicly as the apostle of gentile grace!
So when Paul talks about the faith of Jesus Christ, (i.e., his perfect faith) that is how both Jew and gentile gets justification (declared righteous) by God. Whether it was their circumcision program (i.e., faith in Christ, plus water baptism, etc.) or our un-circumcision program (i.e., faith in Christ plus no works), both programs are based on Christ's faithfulness. But they are both still separate, unique, distinct programs!
Although Paul is talking directly to Peter, he is speaking also to all Jews (religious legalists) about what God is doing today: Grace! He is trying to take the focus off of our own works and put it on Christ's completed work for us at Calvary!
His death at Calvary cleared the way for Jews to be justified by his blood as well, i.e., their new covenant found in Jeremiah 31:31-34. But remember there is a difference in programs—ours is pure grace without any works; theirs is grace with works. There is a difference!
James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 2:14-26
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Galatians 2:7-9
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Hopefully this clears it up. But give the Lord time to clear it up as you continue to grow in his word.
Ephesians 1:15-23
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Hopefully this
helps...Maranatha!
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