Galatians 2

The Explanation

Paul writes about a trip he made to Jerusalem, fourteen years after his first visit. He goes there together with Barnabas and Titus. That is quite a while, and it shows that Paul had been working for God for a long time already before he checked in again with the other apostles.

In Jerusalem, Paul meets the leaders of the church: Peter, James, and John. He explains to them what he has been preaching among people who are not Jewish. And something remarkable happens: the leaders agree with him. They give Paul and Barnabas the handshake, a sign that says: we belong together, we are on the same side. Paul goes to the non-Jewish people, Peter goes to the Jewish people. Same message, different audience.

But then things go wrong. Peter comes to visit the city of Antioch, where Paul lives. At first Peter eats normally with the non-Jewish Christians. For Jews that was actually not allowed, because they had all kinds of rules about what was clean and unclean food and who you could sit at the table with. But Peter dares to do it, because he knows: in Jesus those old rules no longer separate us.

Then some people arrive from Jerusalem, people who thought those old rules were still very important. And suddenly Peter pulls back. He no longer eats with the non-Jewish believers. He is afraid of what those strict people will think of him. Other Jewish Christians follow his example. Even Barnabas, Paul's good friend, joins in.

Paul does not think that is a small thing. He stands up and speaks to Peter openly, right in front of everyone. He says: Peter, this is not honest. You know better. If you act like this, you are saying that Jesus is not enough, that people still have to keep all those old rules to belong with God.

Then Paul says something huge: a person is not made right with God by keeping rules, but by trusting in Jesus. Paul says of himself: I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

What Does This Mean?

Paul makes clear that faith is not a list of things you have to do to get God to like you. God accepts you because of what Jesus did on the cross, not because you are good enough. If keeping rules could save you, Jesus would have died for nothing.

Notice too that even Peter, one of the most important apostles, makes a mistake here. Peter, who walked with Jesus himself. That is honest of Paul to write down. Great believers can also stumble, especially when they are afraid of what other people think.

The Common Thread

This chapter is about what Jesus really came to do. In the Old Testament, God gave his people the law, with many rules. Those rules showed how holy God is and how far people fall short. But no one could keep them all perfectly. Then Jesus came. He kept the law perfectly, died on the cross, and rose again. Now you no longer belong to God because of what you do, but because of what Jesus did. That is the covenant, the deep promise God makes: I am your God, and you are mine, because of Jesus.

For You

Sometimes you can think that God only loves you when you are being good. When you have prayed nicely, been friendly, listened well. But this chapter says something else. God loves you because of Jesus, not because of your best days.

That works two ways. When you have failed, you may come back to God, because Jesus is enough. And when you have done well, do not think you are better than someone else, because it is still Jesus who is enough.

And there is something else. Sometimes you go along with what others do, even though you know it is not right. Peter did that too. It takes courage, like Paul, to say honestly: this is not the way. Not to be annoying, but because the truth matters.

Talk About It

Why do you think Peter, who knew Jesus so well, still became afraid of those strict people from Jerusalem?

What is the difference between doing your best for God because you have to, and doing your best because He already loves you?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, thank you that I do not have to earn your love. Thank you that you died for me and now live in me. Help me to trust you, also when others think differently. Give me courage to be honest, like Paul. Amen.