The pericope of Galatians 2:15-21 is the thesis of the entire letter to the early Christian communities in Galatia (Furnish 1971). It begins after Paul greets the people of Galatia. The people of Galatia have been visited by missionaries who still insist that the laws must still be adhered to especially the laws of circumcision causing confusion in the people. Peter had drawn away from the gentiles over purity issues and this was still greatly on Paul’s mind in writing to the Galatians (Furnish 1971). So, Paul wants to clarify that justification only comes through faith in Christ not through the works of the law. After this pericope, Paul constructs his argument to flesh out what Paul states in these few verses. This pericope gives the …show more content…
His point would be an ethnic exclusivity that he was against in speaking against works of the law. Looking back to Antioch at Peter’s behavior in which Paul refers to in speaking about Peter, Peter was not doing good works but was trying to put a boundary between his self and the Gentiles (Colossians 2:8-15, Do Not Be Captured by Human Tradition 2000). It is in the key words we see the purpose of this writing, to discuss justification by works of the law by maintaining the observances of the covenant people or justification by faith in Christ, in what Christ did for one and for all.
In the NRSV there are textual variants listed. These textual variants change the meaning in the verses in which they appear. In verse 16 the text says ‘faith in Jesus Christ’ however the variant says, ‘the faith of Jesus Christ’. The prepositions are in question here causing the meanings to be different for each phrase. ‘Faith in Jesus Christ’ would mean one would need to actively have faith in Christ. But in the phrase ‘the faith of Jesus Christ’ would mean Jesus was the one with the faith. Another interpretation even has a different phrase in verse 16, the Common English Version (CEB) says, ‘the faithfulness of Christ’ which would entail Jesus’
Wacaster’s book, which is (as the title suggests) centered on Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, is very obviously intended to the common-level, “average” audience. Wacaster does not delve into complex conversations of textual variants, manuscript discrepancies, and disputations of authorship, nor does he use vocabulary or phraseology that is above the understanding of most individuals. Rather, Wacaster is simple, straightforward, and effective in communicating his points on the wonderful book of Galatians. With many commentaries that are written at a graduate and scholarly level, a more basic approach is much appreciated and needed.
In the first close reading of the text, I discovered Paul articulated his desire for all believers to be of the same attitude or frame of mind as Christ. Creating a sense of relationship with God through the example of the servanthood of Jesus. This study revealed the traits of Christ’s life and character found in verses: “he was formed of God” (2:6), “emptied himself’ (2:7), “in human form” (2:8), “name above every name” (2:9), “every knee should bend” (2:10), and “every tongue confess … glory to God” (2:11). Looking at each verse, challenged me to read between the lines and wonder what might be happening within the church of Philippi. Textual Criticism
The church in Rome, once so prone to lose sight of their high calling in Christ, had developed strength of Christ character. Their words and acts revealed the transforming power of the grace of God. With clearness and power Paul presents the doctrine of justification by Faith in Christ alone. Paul heart’s desire and prayer for his people the Jews were that they might be saved he now sets forth the great principle of the gospel that salvation is only through faith in Christ as Jesus says “if you love me keep my commandments”. Therefore it is not by works that we are saved nor by relations or titles nor anything but only through Christ who is the “Way the Truth and the Life”.
Although it seems that Acts 15 and Galatians 2 record the same event, that is not the case. In the book of Acts, specifically Acts 15, Peter is in Jerusalem at the Jerusalem council. In Galatians 2, Paul speaks about his second journey to Jerusalem. The events that occurred in Galatians also relates to the events in Acts. The main question while analyzing both chapters is: Does it record the same event? There has been speculation that it is the same event told in both chapters, but it is evident that in Acts and Galatians, it tells the stories of different events. Both of these chapters detail similar happenings, but it is not the same event.
The book of Galatians was written for the simple reason to clear up the truth of the gospel. Shortly after Paul left the church of Galatia, an unknown person or ‘people’ came to the church and led them to believe otherwise. The church of Galatia, being brand new was thrown off by the idea that they were living an immoral life, and immediately changed what they were doing to fit what the people or persons taught this. The thought of having the
To understand the meaning of Galatians 5: 16-18 we must understand the purpose of the letter. Galatians is an occasional letter (Duvall, Hayes 2008, 100) meant to address a congregation who is faced with the dilemma of Judaizers. The Judaizers were teaching that in order for a Gentile to be truly saved he must convert to Judaism; he must be circumcised. They preached salvation by works of the flesh, putting the Gentiles under the law (5: 9-15). But the flesh; circumcision or no circumcision, following the Judaic laws or not following the Judaic laws, makes no difference in salvation. Righteousness is found through faith and shown in love (5:6). Insistence that Gentiles convert to Judaism “distorts salvation by grace alone” and causes dissension in the body of Christ (Wilson 2013, Gal. 5:15). Paul argues that Christians should rely on the Holy Spirit for the power to overcome the flesh and walk in love and faith (5:16– 18). There is clearly a distinction between the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (5:19-26). Paul
In Galatians 1-6 we start off by learning that Paul the apostle was sent through Jesus christ and God the father to the churches of Galatians. Paul returns to Jerusalem and seks help to tell the converts that they don’t need to follow every Jewish law. Then he calls the Galatians foolish, then tells them that Jesus was crucified and now everyone can live for God and not worry about anything. The Galatians begin to question and all Paul wants is for them to stop worrying about Jewish holidays and to start living the way God wants them too. Now we learn that the Galatians are free and if they go and get circumcised, they will be forced to obey Jewish law. Paul then gives them advice about everyone's imperfections and how they
Christianity is interpreted in different ways depending on one’s acquired knowledge of the religion and its beliefs. There are many different interpretations of Christianity, so the ideal principles of the religion are sometimes lost. In the Letter of Paul to the Galatians, Paul writes to the Galatians, addressing their unrighteous actions toward Christianity. Every religion has requirements that the followers should practice and lived by; this concept also, applies to Christianity. Paul, an apostle, received his authority from God, which implies that he obeys and understands the laws of Christianity.
Based on the meetings written in Acts 15 and Galatians 2, they are both difficult to comprehend as though it was the same event. A problem is mentioned that the missionaries encounter when they reach the village. This problem concerns the teachings of the Mosaic Law and current requirements that God asks from his people. The passages differentiate with the main preachers that are involved. The conclusion is made that the two excerpts may be
This basic feature of the Christian message brings the growing sense of unease within some in Paul’s audience (Fernando, p. 476). However, Paul’s strategy of reasoning with the Athenians is instructive of the gospel message. His message does not contain direct quotations or appeals to the Old Testament (Fernando, p. 476). However, such appeals would have meant nothing to his audience, who did not accept the authority of the Scriptures. But, the message was thoroughly scriptural (Fernando, p. 476). Paul uncovers the Athenians’ admitted need for the knowledge of the one true God.
Another biblical principle represented in the founding themes of the U.S. is equal opportunity for all. The book of Galatians erases the line between Jew and Greek, enslaved and free, and male and female. This example applies to culture today. Through a biblical lens, it is obvious that people are not seen as creatures differing from one another, just as two animals of the same species are not seen as different: a bear is a bear, even as different species of bears are recognized. In the same way, all humans are equal, even if they come from different places and acquire different cultural habits. They are born with unalienable civil liberties, among these the right to life, liberty of conscience, and the pursuit of private property. Merely
First, we will address what some people call “Paul’s systematic theology” in his letter to the Romans. The book of Romans is perhaps the most precise exposition of the human condition and the act of God whereby humanity is redeemed. Next, we will treat the letter to the Galatians, where the apostle deals with the problem of the Law and the legal standing of the Believer. Finally, the letter to the Philippians
Paul was correct in addressing and rebuking Peter for overly focusing on early Christianity (Judaizer ) or follow the Laws of Moses. Paul reminds us all that the Law of Christ is the righteousness and atonement of God.
The Apostle Paul is no stranger to the average Christian; after all, he is responsible for writing the majority of the material listed in the New Testament of the Bible. Thirteen epistles of the New Testament begin with the formula such as “Paul, servant of God” being address to the different audiences, conversely, most scholars believe that Paul was actually only responsible for writing about seven of the epistles. The book that this paper is focused on, Galatians, would be one of those books that is believed to be written by the hand of Paul under the divine guidance of God and the Holy Spirit. This epistle will humble you and challenge your way of thinking as it has done this to millions around the world.
As in the interpretation of any passage of Scripture, the correct interpretation of Philippians 2:1-11 rests upon a careful examination of its context. Paul is writing the letter to the Philippians in order to thank them for their gift which they sent by Epaphroditus to him in prison. Although some scholars have argued that the current Epistle to the Philippians was originally several separate letters, based upon the sharp change of tone in 3:1, the “therefore, then, accordingly” in 2:1 clearly connects chapter two with chapter one. The immediate context of 2:1-11 is the exhortation to unity in 1:27-30. In this section, Paul urges the Philippians “to live as