Galatians 2:11

Galatians 2:11 says, But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.  After saying that Peter had agreed that Paul was sent as a witness to the Gentiles, he said that when Peter came to Antioch that he had to meet Peter face to face, because Peter had become a part of the problem with Paul's acceptance by some Christians.  If we have a disagreement with another follower of Christ, it is best if we can meet them in person to discuss our differences. 

Verse twelve adds, For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  Paul said that until a group of Jewish Christians came from James that Peter had eaten with the Gentile Christians, but when they came, he no longer would.  We look at Peter as being a rock in his beliefs about Christ, but he often wavered in his practice of that belief.  We cannot let any group, no matter how powerful they may be viewed in the eyes of the world, lead us to add to or take away from the truth of the gospel. 

Verse thirteen continues, And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.  Paul said that other Jewish Christians and even Barnabas were led away from the Gentile Christians by Peter's action.  If we see someone acting in such a way as to discredit the gospel, we must never follow them, no matter how influential they may be. 

Verse fourteen states, But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  Paul knew that what those who withdrew from the Gentile Christians were not acting in an upright manner in following the truth of the gospel.  One of the basic facts of the gospel is that it is for all people.  We cannot divide Christianity into groups that don't even associate with each other.  Paul asked Peter directly how he, a Jewish Christian, could live as the Gentiles did and then demand that the Gentile Christians now be subjected to Jewish laws.  We cannot follow one set of beliefs around one group of Christians and another set of beliefs around another group.  Likewise, we cannot change our beliefs around the unsaved of the world.  Our actions in the world should be consistent with those when we are gathered together as a church. 

Verse fifteen adds, We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  Paul said that being born a Jew separated people from everyone else. 

Verse sixteen continues, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  Paul said that even being born a Jew, considered part of God's family under God's law, did not justify anyone, but only faith could.  At one time it had been faith in the coming Messiah, and now it was faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah Who had come. 

Verse seventeen asks, But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.  I believe that Paul was asking if we attempt to add to the requirements of salvation, more than just the acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord, if that makes Christ guilty of sin.  Paul declares a definite no to this question.  If Christ teaches that we are saved through faith in Him alone, then if we add anything to that requirement, then our faith would still leave us as sinners. 

Verse eighteen adds, For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  Paul said that if he, or anyone else, attempted to add anything to salvation by faith in Christ that this would make them guilty of sin. 

Verse nineteen continues, For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  Paul tells us that the law cannot save us, but only faith can.  We will never be able to live up to the standards of the law of God. 

Verse twenty declares, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  We, as followers of Christ, like Paul, are crucified with Christ.  We die to the old person of flesh and are born again as a person of faith.  We no longer live by the standards of the world, but we live by the standards of Christ.  As Paul said, Christ lives through us. 

Verse twenty-one adds, I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.  Paul said that if we could be made righteous by the law, then Christ died for nothing.  Paul had been talking about those who would subject Gentiles to the law of God in addition to faith in Christ as Savior in order to be saved.  He said that even those born a Jew recognized that the law could not save anyone, so why would anyone who accepted Christ as their Savior be expected to follow the law to be saved.  We need no sign of salvation but are to simply live by faith in Christ.  This is the total requirement for salvation.