GALATIANS 2:14-16 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
NSB* Peter's hypocritical example implied that Gentiles had to behave like Jews in order to receive God's grace. Thus, Peter was not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel of God's grace. It had already been decided (vv 1-5) that it was not proper to compel Gentiles to live as Jews, because salvation was through faith alone.
Straightforward; The King James version reads "uprightly". So straightforward means, "to walk in a straight path" (orthos, "straight," pous, "a foot"), is used metaphorically in Galatians 2:14, signifying a "course of conduct" by which one leaves a straight track for others to follow ("walked ... uprightly"). Vine's has this under the word "walk" - (def 6). The Greek word is ὀρθοποδέω orthopodeo. Strong's G3716. Strong's defines it as to be straight-footed, i.e. (figuratively) to go directly forward.
Truth Of The Gospel; For the gospel, Dodson denotes - the good news, the gospel the good news of the coming of the Messiah, the gospel; the gen. after it expresses sometimes the giver (God), sometimes the subject (the Messiah, etc.), sometimes the human transmitter (an apostle). Thayer expands - Thayer: 1) a reward for good tidings 2) good tidings 2a) the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of this kingdom. After the death of Christ, the term comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the kingdom of God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God 2b) the glad tidings of salvation through Christ 2c) the proclamation of the grace of God manifest and pledged in Christ 2d) the gospel 2e) as the messianic rank of Jesus was proved by his words, his deeds, and his death, the narrative of the sayings, deeds, and death of Jesus Christ came to be called the gospel or glad tidings. The Greek word is εὐαγγέλιον euaggelion. Strong's G2098.
Truth here is truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man, straightforwardness. The Greek word is ἀλήθεια alētheia. Strong's G225.
Acts 10:28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Moving to Verse 15.
Galatians 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
NSB* Paul is not denying that those who are Jews by birth are sinners, as are all Gentiles (Rom 3:23). Rather, he is implying that Jews enjoy spiritual privileges (Rom 9:4-5) that should make them more knowledgeable about how to be justified before God (see Gen 15:6). The Jews should have been aware that no person can be declared righteous or justified by obedience to the law of Moses.
Note references: Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 9:4-5 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Nature; "origin, birth," Romans 2:27, one who by birth is a Gentile, uncircumcised, in contrast to one who, though circumcised, has become spiritually uncircumcised by his iniquity; Strong's denotes, growth (by germination or expansion), i.e. (by implication) natural production (lineal descent); by extension, a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage. The Greek word is φύσις phusis. Vine's (def 1b), Strong's G5449.
Definition Reference: Romans 2:27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your [a]written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?
Sinners; in the clause "not sinners of the Gentiles," the Apostle is taking the Judaizers on their own ground, ironically reminding them of their claim to moral superiority over Gentiles; he proceeds to show that the Jews are equally sinners with Gentiles. The Greek word is ἁμαρτωλός hamartolos. Vine's (def prime), Strong's G268.
Matthew 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Moving to Verse 16.
Galatians 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Justified; by God concerning men, who are declared to be righteous before Him on certain conditions laid down by Him. Vine has a ton of notes on this as follows. Ideally, the complete fulfillment of the law of God would provide a basis of "justification" in His sight, Romans 2:13. But no such case has occurred in mere human experience, and therefore no one can be "justified" on this ground, Romans 3:9-Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:10-Galatians 3:11; Galatians 5:4. From this negative presentation in Rom. 3, the Apostle proceeds to show that, consistently with God's own righteous character, and with a view to its manifestation, He is, through Christ, as "a propitiation ... by (en, 'instrumental') His blood," Romans 3:25, RV, "the Justifier of him that hath faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26), "justification" being the legal and formal acquittal from guilt by God as Judge, the pronouncement of the sinner as righteous, who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans 3:24, "being justified" is in the present continuous tense, indicating the constant process of "justification" in the succession of those who believe and are "justified." In Romans 5:1, "being justified" is in the aorist, or point, tense, indicating the definite time at which each person, upon the exercise of faith, was justified. In Romans 8:1, "justification" is presented as "no condemnation." That "justification" is in view here is confirmed by the preceding chapters and by verse Romans 3:24**. In Romans 3:26, the word rendered "Justifier" is the present participle of the verb, lit., "justifying;" similarly in Romans 8:33 (where the article is used), "God that justifieth," is, more lit., "God is the (One) justifying," with stress upon the word "God."
"Justification" is primarily and gratuitously by faith, subsequently and evidentially by works. In regard to "justification" by works, the so-called contradiction between James and the Apostle Paul is only apparent. There is harmony in the different views of the subject. Paul has in mind Abraham's attitude toward God, his acceptance of God's word. This was a matter known only to God. The Romans Epistle is occupied with the effect of this Godward attitude, not upon Abraham's character or actions, but upon the contrast between faith and the lack of it, namely, unbelief, cp. Romans 11:20. James (James 2:21-James 2:26) is occupied with the contrast between faith that is real and faith that is false, a faith barren and dead, which is not faith at all.
Again, the two writers have before them different epochs in Abraham's life, Paul, the event recorded in Gen. 15, James, that in Gen. 22. Contrast the words "believed" in Genesis 15:6 and "obeyed" in Genesis 22:18.
Further, the two writers use the words "faith" and "works" in somewhat different senses. With Paul, faith is acceptance of God's word; with James, it is acceptance of the truth of certain statements about God, (James 2:19), which may fail to affect one's conduct. Faith, as dealt with by Paul, results in acceptance with God., i.e., "justification," and is bound to manifest itself. If not, as James says "Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14). With Paul, works are dead works; with James they are life works. The works of which Paul speaks could be quite independent of faith: those referred to by James can be wrought only where faith is real, and they will attest its reality.
So with righteousness, or "justification:" Paul is occupied with a right relationship with God, James, with right conduct. Paul testifies that the ungodly can be "justified" by faith, James that only the right-doer is "justified." Vine's (def B-1b2), Strong's G1344.
My notes - This is not a disagreement between Paul and James. They were speaking to two different audiences. The Jews believed you could be justified by works, James's audience was struggling with showing any fruit/works as a result of their so-called faith. In other words, they were saying they were saved but no one could tell by how they conducted themselves. If you are saved, it ought to produce fruit that results in the joyous engagement in works.
Definition References (excluding when entire chapters are mentioned) - Romans 2:13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;
Romans 3:9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:24-26 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
Romans 11:20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear.
James 2:21-26 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
Works Of The Law; akin to nemo, to divide out, distribute," primarily meant "that which is assigned;" hence, "usage, custom," and then, "law, law as prescribed by custom, or by statute;" the word ethos, "custom," was retained for unwritten "law," while nomos became the established name for "law" as decreed by a state and set up as the standard for the administration of justice. Here it is used of the Mosaic Law, the "law" of Sinai,. The Greek word used here is nomos νόμος. Vine's (def A-1c), Strong's G3551.
Flesh; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such). The Greek word is σάρξ sarx. Strong's G4561.
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Psalms 143:2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
Takeaways: I have brought this up a couple of times over the years, but the general idea in this passage is that it is only Christ who justifies you through faith. As I was saying earlier, if you are saved, it ought to produce fruit that results in the joyous engagement in works. The way you can safely approach this is to ask yourself, "If I was going to court to prove I was a Christian, would I win that case?" Are you displaying joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? From James's approach, would people say that about you? Would you have testimony on your behalf? If we don't...how are people around us really going to know?
*NSB - Nelson Study Bible.
** Vine's incorrectly cites verse 3:34 here which doesn't exist.
Comments