Galatians - Chapter 2

Chapter two of Galatians continues Paul's story of his calling and ministry, and now it is fourteen years later, and Paul, Barnabas, and Titus, spoke to the leaders of the church in Jerusalem. The topic was do Gentiles need to become Jews in order to become Christian? No, they do not, because we are saved by faith not by the law. Paul and Barnabas were given the right hand of fellowship and reminded to remember the poor, which was already a priority to them. The second half of the chapter covers a visit from Peter to Antioch, which had become the Gentile Christian church's headquarters. When Peter was there by himself, he fellowshipped with the Gentile believers, but once some Jews from Jerusalem came, he withdrew from the Gentiles. This even led Barnabas to do the same. Paul rebuked Peter in front of everyone, because his hypocrisy was in front of everyone. He reminded them that they too were sinners, and it is impossible to be justified by observing the law, and we need faith in Jesus and to live by grace. Then Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing" (vs. 20-21).