Justification by Faith (Galatians 2:15-21)
Main Idea of Galatians:
To defend the gospel of grace as the sole basis for justification and Christian living, to assert the believer’s freedom from legalism through faith in Christ, and to call believers back to the truth of the gospel.
Questions to Consider:
Why does Paul begin by addressing “we Jews by birth”?
What does Paul mean by “works of the law”?
What is the significance of being “justified”?
Why is justification only possible “through faith in Jesus Christ”?
What does Paul mean by “if we pursue righteousness while seeking to be justified by Christ, and we ourselves are found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin?”
What does Paul mean by “For if I rebuild what I tore down, I make myself a lawbreaker”?
The Text:
We are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners,” and yet because we know that a person is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have believed in Christ Jesus. This was so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.
But if we ourselves are also found to be “sinners” while seeking to be justified by Christ, is Christ then a promoter of sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild those things that I tore down, I show myself to be a lawbreaker.
– Galatians 2:15-18 (CSB)
Observations:
Verse 15: Paul begins by acknowledging their Jewish heritage.
Verse 16: He emphasizes that justification is not by “works of the law” but by “faith in Jesus Christ.” This is repeated for emphasis. He also states that “by the works of the law no one will be justified.”
Verse 17: He addresses the hypothetical scenario of being found a sinner while seeking justification in Christ, asking if Christ then promotes sin.
Verse 18: He argues that rebuilding the law after being freed from it makes him a lawbreaker.
Interpretation:
Addressing Jewish Heritage (v. 15): Paul begins by acknowledging his and his audience’s Jewish background (“We are Jews by birth”). As Moo (BECNT) points out, this establishes common ground and emphasizes that Paul’s critique of the law isn’t from an outsider’s perspective. He understands its history and purpose.
“Works of the Law” (v. 16): When Paul talks about “works of the law,” he’s referring to the actions and observances prescribed by the Mosaic Law. As Schreiner (ZECNT) explains, this includes things like circumcision, dietary laws, and Sabbath observance. Paul isn’t saying good deeds are irrelevant, but they cannot earn or merit salvation.
Justification: This is a key theological term. To be “justified” means to be declared righteous in God’s sight, to be acquitted of guilt and reconciled to Him. It’s not about achieving sinless perfection but about being given a right standing before God. White (GTI) emphasizes that justification is a legal declaration, not a process of becoming righteous.
“Through Faith in Jesus Christ”: Paul emphasizes that justification is only possible “through faith in Jesus Christ.” Faith here means a complete trust and reliance on Christ’s atoning work. As Carson (NIVBTSB) notes, it’s a “faithfulness to Christ.”
Christ, a “Servant of Sin”? (v. 17): Paul asks a powerful question. If, in seeking justification in Christ, we’re still found to be sinners, does Christ then promote sin? As Merida & Platt (CCE) point out, Paul’s answer is a forceful “Of course not!” He’s refuting the idea that grace leads to lawlessness.
Rebuilding What I Tore Down (v. 18): Paul argues that if he goes back to relying on the law after realizing Christ has set him free, he’s basically admitting he was wrong to abandon it. He’s making himself a “lawbreaker” because he’s rejecting the freedom Christ offered. Schreiner (ZECNT) highlights the absurdity of returning to a system that could not justify.
Application:
It’s Not About What We Do: Our good deeds don’t make us right with God. It’s only through believing in Jesus.
Trust Christ Completely: We need to fully trust what Jesus did for us, not what we can do for ourselves.
Christ Isn’t Leading Us Astray: Believing in Jesus doesn’t give us an excuse to sin. He sets us free from sin.
No Going Back: Once we understand the freedom in Christ, we can’t go back to trying to earn God’s favor through rules and regulations.
Connection to the Main Idea:
This passage is right at the heart of what Paul is arguing in Galatians. He’s fighting against the idea that people need to follow Jewish laws to be saved. He’s saying that the only way to be right with God is through faith in Jesus.
How Does This Text Point to Christ?
Christ is the one we believe in for justification.
He’s the one who sets us free from the burden of trying to earn God’s favor.
Christ is the One who gives us to true righteousness.
Summary:
Galatians 2:15-18 shows that no one, not even Jews, can be justified by following the law. Justification comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Trying to get right with God through our own efforts is futile and even denies what Christ has done for us.
Be Intentional:
Think about how you understand your relationship with God. Are you still trying to earn His approval in any way?
Focus on trusting Christ completely for your salvation.
Ask Yourself:
Do I sometimes feel like I have to do certain things to make God love me more?
Do I really believe that Jesus’s death was enough to make me right with God?
Bibliography:
Carson, D. A. (General Editor). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (NIVBTSB). Zondervan.
Merida, Tony & Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Galatians (CCE) (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary).
Moo, Douglas J. Galatians (BECNT) (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Galatians (ZECNT) (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner, Thomas R. Christ Crucified: A Theology of Galatians.
White, A. Blake. Galatians: A Theological Interpretation (GTI).
