July 5, 2026

UNIT 2 Letter to the Galatians

LESSON: 5

Study Text: Galatians 2:1-21

Central Truth: The gospel must be defended against all threats.

KEY Verse-- Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV).

I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

What does it mean to be justified? In a legal sense, it means someone is not guilty of the accusation against them. Biblically, it means we stand before God without guilt or condemnation, forgiven for all our sin. Paul's central message in Galatians is that people can be justified before God through Jesus' death on the cross--not through obedience to the Old Testament Law. 

DISCUSSION STARTER--A Memorable Journey

Think of a trip you took at least a few years ago. What details from your trip stand out to you? _______________________________________________________________________________.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

We often remember certain details more clearly than others. Maybe they were especially happy or sad memories, or maybe we remember them because of the people we were with. Galatians 2 records Paul's memory of two important events: his second trip to Jerusalem and Peter's visit to Antioch. These events were especially to Paul's understanding of the gospel, showing how believers receive justification and proving the futility of the false gospel being in Galatia.

                                                                 PART 1--Presenting the Gospel

          Challenging the Gospel                                     Galatians 2:1-5

Apparently, the false teachers at Galatia were sharing their opinions about Pau's relationship with the Jerusalem church. While we have no record of exactly what they believed had happened, Paul's response indicates they were completely mistaken. Paul mentions another visit to Jerusalem, specifying that he went voluntarily (Galatians 2:1). By naming Barnabas and Titus (verse 2). Paul presents witnesses who can attest to the truth of his version of events. By mentoring Titus, Paul was offering proof to the Galatians that Jerusalem church agreed with his approach to circumcision--a major issue in Galatia (verse 3). Paul explains that the same false teaching being spread in Galatia about circumcision was also present in Jerusalem (verse 4). He denies that they are even true Christians. Refusing to relent to the pressure of the false teachers, Paul and his companions chose to take a stand for spiritual freedom on behalf of the Gentile converts (verse 5).

? How have you observed deception or a lack of integrity among false teachers?

        Preaching the Gospel to Gentiles                         Galatians 2:6-10

The false teachers in Galatia were apparently emphasizing the Jerusalem leaders' credentials (Galatians 2:6), but Paul refused to be overly impressed by the reputation and standing of these (or any other) human leaders. In turn, the church leaders--including Peter, John, and Jesus' brother James-chose to fully accept Paul's teaching that Gentiles were not bound to the Law. This disproved the false teachers' claim that Paul's gospel conflicted with the one being preached in Jerusalem. The leaders recognized Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles, just as Peter was an apostle to the Jews, accepted Paul and Barnabas as coworkers, and requested (not demanded) that Paul continue his ministry of helping the poor. They unconditionally accepted the gospel of freedom he preached and encouraged him to continue sharing the good news throughout the Gentile regions. If the Jerusalem leadership accepted Paul's teaching, the Galatians should embrace it too, no matter what the false teachers might say:

? What principles from these verses can we apply to own church situation?

PART 2--Disregarding the Gospel

The Antioch Crisis         Galatians 2:11-13

Antioch was one of the first places where the gospel was widely preached to Gentiles, believers met for meals the church there became a truly blended congregation (Acts 11:20-21). When believers met for meals, which would include the Lord's Supper, the custom was for Jews and Gentiles to intermingle as one family in Christ. Eating together was an important cultural sign of friendship. But since the Gentile did not live by Jewish dietary laws, proper Jews who ate with Gentiles would become unclean according to the Law. Upon his arrival in Antioch, Peter joined in with this mixed group without objection, confirming the equal status of Gentile Christians in the Church (Galatians 2:12). Because of his own experience accepting Gentile believers (Acts 10-11), Peter seemed to accept the Antioch Christians without difficulty. Peter began eating with the Jews from Jerusalem and refused to eat with Gentile Christians. Because Peter was a leader among the Jewish believers, others began following his example (verse 13). Peter's actions threatened the unity of the Church--not to mention Paul's message of justification by faith.

? How might hypocrisy continue to cause division in the church today?

  The Antioch Confrontation              Galatians 2:14

Paul could not let Peter's actions go unchallenged. The Gentile Christians were likely hurt and confused by the sudden change in Peter's attitude. But Paul's strong objection wasn't based on hurt feelings; it was based on the fact that Peter's actions contradicted the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:14). If Peter's actions had gone unchallenged, affirming the false teaching being spread in Galatia, it would have meant that Jesus' death wasn't enough for salvation--that human effort was also required. Salvation based on works is no salvation at all (Ephesians 2:8-9). Paul began by reminding Peter that he was a Jew by birth, not a convert to the Jewish lifestyle. He pointed out that Peter had been comfortable disregarding Jewish laws and living as a Gentile when he came to Antioch. Peter had acclimated to the multiethnic culture of Antioch, even though it went against his upbringing. By suddenly reverting to Jewish culture when James's friends arrived, Peter had divided the church and cast doubt on the status of the Gentile converts.

• ? How can believers follow Paul's example when confronting one another?

PART 3-Defending the Gospel

      The Law Cannot Justify             Galatians 2:15-18

Jews considered the Gentiles to be "sinners" (Galatians 2:15) because they did not follow the Law, yet only Jesus can make sinners right with God. In verse 17, Paul defends against a common objection to his gospel message. If Christians are no longer bound by the restrictions of the Law, doesn't give them license to sin without judgment? Paul simply states that a person's guilt because of their sin is a result of their own choices. Gentiles cannot be made righteous by following the Law any more than Jews can. All of us need a Savior to free us from sin and release us from the death sentence of the Law.

? Read Peter's speech to the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:7-11. What evidence shows that Peter has accepted Paul's rebuke and fully embrace the proper understanding of justification? 

Justified by Faith in Jesus            Galatians 2:19-21

The Law brings no freedom, no life--only condemnation through making people aware of their sin. Paul argued that he had died with Christ, along with any obligation to follow the Law (Galatians 2:19-20). By the power of the Holy Spirit, he was now living a brand-new life in Jesus. This new life was not mark by fear of punishment, but by faith in Jesus' love. The false teaching at Galatia treated God's grace as worthless by imposing the Law on believers who had already been set free. If keeping the Law could make us right with God, Paul says that Jesus died needlessly, and God's grace is mean-passionately. What could be more important than protecting the truth of the gospel and safeguarding unity in the Church.

? Explain the difference between (1) keeping the Law out of fear and (2) avoiding sin because we love Jesus?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Paul defended the gospel publicly when Peter's actions clouded its truth. We must also be prepared to recognize threats to the gospel and defend the trust without resorting to sinful words, actions, or attitudes. Most importantly, we must fully trust Jesus for our salvation. We can never achieve righteousness on our own (Isaiah 64:6). Only through God's grace and Jesus' sacrifice can we ever be justified.

LIVING IT OUT

Make Jesus' teaching and example your guidance for both work and rest.

Embrace the Christian work ethic as a witness to unbelievers.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

                            Monday: Reviewing God's Faithfulness. Joshua 23:8-14

                       Tuesday: David Praises God's Word. Psalm 19:7-14

                                            Wednesday: Isaiah Declares God's Supremacy. Isaiah 40:12-18

                                       Thursday: Apostles Defend the Gospel. Acts 5:17-18, 27-32

                      Friday: The Spirit Affirms the Gospel. 1 Cor. 2:1-5

           Saturday: Heed the Gospel. Hebrews 2:1-4

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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