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Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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Justification by Faith, Not by Works of the Law: Paul recounts his confrontation with Peter in Antioch to illustrate that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. This is particularly highlighted in the confrontation where Peter was living inconsistently with the Gospel by withdrawing from eating with Gentile Christians due to pressure from Judaizers.

Unity in Christ: The chapter emphasizes the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, asserting that there is no distinction in Christ’s body. The incident with Peter shows the practical implications of this unity and the need to live out the truth of the Gospel consistently.

Death to Self: Paul’s statement in verse 20 about being crucified with Christ signifies a death to the old self and living a new life through faith in Christ. This underscores the transformation and new identity believers have in Christ, moving away from legalism to grace.

The Law’s Role: Paul clarifies that while the law was given, it does not lead to justification; rather, it leads people to Christ. The law served its purpose by showing sin, but faith in Christ is what brings righteousness.

The central theme of Galatians 2 is the freedom that comes through faith in Christ, independent of the Mosaic law. Paul defends the doctrine of justification by faith alone, highlighting that this freedom should lead to a life lived by faith, where believers are united, regardless of their ethnic or cultural backgrounds. The chapter fundamentally teaches that the Christian life is about living in Christ, through whom believers are both justified and sanctified, not by human effort but by divine grace.

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Galatians 1:10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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Paul’s Apostolic Authority (Galatians 1:1-12):
Paul establishes his apostleship as directly from Jesus Christ, not from humans, to emphasize the divine origin of his message. He warns against any other gospel, stating that even if an angel from heaven preached a different gospel, they should be accursed.

The Gospel Paul Preached (Galatians 1:11-24):
Paul recounts his conversion and early ministry to prove that his gospel was not received from human sources but through revelation from Jesus Christ. He highlights his independence from the Jerusalem church leaders, underscoring that his message was divinely inspired, not a product of human manipulation or approval.

Rejection of Human Approval (Galatians 1:10):
This verse is pivotal as Paul clarifies his motivation isn’t to please people but to serve Christ, setting the stage for the rest of the letter where he will defend the gospel against those who would distort it for human acceptance.

The central theme of Galatians 1 is the defense of the true gospel. Paul is combating a false teaching that has infiltrated the Galatian churches, which suggests that adherence to Jewish law is necessary for salvation alongside faith in Christ. He establishes his authority, the divine origin of his message, and his commitment to serving Christ over pleasing people. The chapter sets a tone of urgency and clarity, focusing on the purity of the gospel message, the importance of divine revelation over human tradition, and the call to live and preach according to God’s approval rather than societal or cultural acceptance.

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