Galatians 2:7-14
As a rule, I don’t like conflict. However, sometimes it is quite necessary. Please read our text selected for today about a conflict between Peter and Paul:
On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? Galatians 2:7-14 (NIV)
As I read and wrestle with this text, two things stand out. First, Paul had the courage and ego strength to publicly correct Peter, a pillar of the church and an Apostle, about his behavior that compromised the gospel. Second, Paul had a keen, razor-sharp understanding of the power of the gospel and how it could be compromised and weakened. Indeed, this is why he wrote the book of Galatians, to hammer home the hope of the gospel of Jesus.
But first, some background. The Judaizers accused Paul of watering down the gospel to make it easier for Gentiles to accept. In contrast, Paul accused the Judaizers of nullifying the truth of the gospel by adding conditions to it, such as circumcision and following the law. The issue was the basis of salvation. Is salvation through Christ alone, or does it come through Christ and adherence to the law?
The argument came to a head when Peter, Paul, the Judaizers, and some Gentile Christians all gathered together in Antioch to share a meal. Peter probably thought he was promoting harmony by staying aloof from the Gentiles; perhaps he did not want to offend James' friends. However, Paul was immediately offended and believed Peter’s action violated the gospel. By joining the Judaizers, Peter implicitly supported the claim that Christ was not sufficient for salvation. Paul confronted Peter quickly—the confusion Peter created by his actions had to be addressed publicly then and there. “I opposed him to his face,” as Paul described it. (I would love to hear Peter’s side of the story!)
The gospel had turned Paul's world upside down. The truth is that a person is saved not by obedience to the Law but by God’s action through faith in Jesus, who lived a sinless life, died a death for the sins of all humanity, and rose again bodily on the third day. Paul could not compromise this truth in any way. Hence his confrontation with Peter. Compromise is essential in getting along well with others, but we should not compromise when grace and truth are at stake.
To keep this truth clear and purposeful in my mind and heart, I am reminded of the Five Solas of the Reformation. The five "solas" state that Christians are saved by grace alone (Sola Gratia), through faith alone (Sola Fide), in Christ alone (Solus Christus), as revealed by Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura), to the glory of God alone (Soli Deo Gloria).
This may be helpful. “Nothing you can do can make God love you any more; nothing you can do can make God love you any less.” God simply loves you and has saved you by grace through faith in Jesus.
In times of conflict and confusion, Christ centers me as I turn to Him.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you handle conflict? Do you nip it in the bud or let things fester?
- What is your understanding of the gospel? Can you state it simply and powerfully? (You might want to commit Galatians 2:20 to memory)
- When have you given way to compromise in matters of faith?
Prayer:
Dear God, the gospel you proclaimed in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is amazingly sweet, powerful, and sharp. Thank you for bringing me to faith in Jesus and keeping me there! By your grace, allow me to live, serve, and speak that faith into every moment of my life—to your glory. Amen!
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