Galatians 2:14-3:14

Galatians is in my course material for next week. So, continuing on from where I left off a while ago, Paul begins talking about being justified by faith. If we recall, one of the things Paul began with was about a different gospel. Some seemed to be persuaded to follow a different gospel. It doesn't matter who delivered it or what it was, if it is different from the one true gospel delivered to them initially by Paul, it is a false gospel. After talking about some of his history, Paul talks about opposing Peter to his face with regards to his eatings and dealings with Gentiles. Not that it's wrong to eat with Gentiles, but Peter was in the wrong and causing others to stumble.

We are justified by faith and clearly not by works. Paul establishes that works of the law will justify nobody. He even stops to address an objection one may have. Someone may say that as we pursue justification by faith in Christ, we sin. As a result, they may conclude that Christ is a servant of sin. This is clearly wrong. Paul talks about living in Christ, Christ living through us and continuing on about justification not being through the law.

They heard the gospel and they received the Spirit by hearing with faith. Even though they began with faith, they are continuing in works of the law. This doesn't make sense and Paul is appealing to them to continue in faith instead of turning to works of the law, since we know justification is not by works of the law.

To take it further, those who rely on works of the law are under a curse. Paul takes this illustration further to talk about Jesus and how he became a curse for us. Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree, and Jesus did that for us to be a curse for us so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.